Road show takes universities to local schools

Although the school year has barely begun, Year 12 students are preparing for 2012 and what it might bring if they decide to continue their studies.

Many want to know how to apply to study at university. They want to know about the costs associated with going to university, where they might live and what it is like to be a university student.

In order to answer their questions, seven Queensland universities have come together in a road show which is currently visiting high schools in the Maryborough, Hervey Bay and Childers region.

It involves representatives from USQ, Griffith University, the Queensland University of Technology, CQ University, Bond University, the University of the Sunshine Coast and James Cook University.

Over three days in early April, it reached more than 1200 students from 10 high schools. Organiser of the Fraser Coast University Showcase Tas Webber, from USQ, said the information was not specific to any one university.

'We have speakers covering general information on the application process, costs of going to uni, on-campus and off-campus accommodation and living at home, and the student experience,' he said.

'After the students have listened to the speakers they have the opportunity of getting specific information from booths set up by each of the universities taking part.'

More than 200 students from Urangan State High visited the showcase on Wednesday 6 April.

Year 12 students Courtney Sutton and Makayla McPherson said the information provided during the showcase had been very comprehensive.
They were particularly interested to discover that many university students only have to attend about 12 hours of classes a week.