How did everyone come about choosing/deciding their Uni Courses? (1 Viewer)

[Viscosity]

Hi,
I was wondering how you all Uni students went about choosing what Uni Course you ended up doing (or for high school students now, what courses you are aiming to get into).

Thanks

 

[madharris]

I've wanted to do something sciency for ages
- At first it was marine biology for about 3 or 4 years and then changed my mind as I slowly realised that it wasn't as good as it seemed (in my opinion anyway)
- Then it was vet for about 3 years until end of year 11
- Then I wanted to do Advanced science because I had no idea what I wanted to do so I thought a broad degree would help me, but then I started freaking out about just ending up in research as a job which I didn't want to do.
- So I started looking at health science (mainly physiotherapy and occupational therapy). Physio was at the top of my options list for the majority of the time, however as I started researching the difference between physio and OT, I realised that physio wasn't for me and that I thought I would enjoy OT a lot more. I put OT on the top of my options list about 20 minutes before the uac applications to main round offers closed. I'm glad I made that decision to do OT though, because now that I know what both physios and OT's learn and practice, I know that it was the right decision

 

[Viscosity]

That's good that it turned out all right !
I'm caught in a confusion about what to do with ideas floating about and changing all the time but nothing really concrete :/ so it's nice to see how your final decision ended up being the right one

 

[Jinks]

Whatever my parents wanted me to do.







(That's a joke ^) I just went with what interested me the most. I know that can be hard for a lot of people as coming out the HSC you really have no clue what type of things interest you in terms of careers. From about year 7 I wanted to do Commercial Law up until about year 11 when I started doing accounting/commerce/economics subjects at school and realised that those areas of business interested me more. Don't ask me how/why I've been interested in the corporate environment since year 7 as I have no clue haha!

 

[Jinks]

That's good that it turned out all right !
I'm caught in a confusion about what to do with ideas floating about and changing all the time but nothing really concrete :/ so it's nice to see how your final decision ended up being the right one

Remember that university is very flexible these days so even if you end up in something that you thought you liked but you are becoming interested in something else it's entirely possible to move around and it's not the end of the world, unless you're in some huge rush to start working full-time.

 

[Viscosity]

Thanks for your help I wish I did have one major interest in an area, then I wouldn't be so indecisive!
Anyhow it's interesting reading these experiences/ processes

 

[Jinks]

You can always change your preferences later on so don't stress about it too much now, focus more on school work!

 

[Viscosity]

now, focus more on school work!

Yeah, I better be hitting the books once again . Thinking about these things have really become a form of procrastination, but still was interesting to read the couple of replies.

 

[timeslowsdown]

Yes as said above - it's really flexible! So don't worry too much - also the HSC is not everything - you can easily transfer! (I always thought that the HSC was the 'be all, end all').

My choice was quite random; even in year 12 I had no idea what I wanted to do; all I knew is I liked science but I didn't want to do research or engineering, and was obsessed with environmental issues. However, halfway through year 12 I went to a careers expo, and asked all the universities about what they recommended I should do. Most said environmental science etc but I didn't really want to do that. I came to a macq uni stand and they recommended me doing b environment/law. It was so weird - I never ever considered doing law, but it made sense since I wanted to actually apply stuff to society. I was really motivated - I'd finally figured out what I wanted to do. I'm now studying science/law at UNSW - and I absolutely love the law but haven't been too happy with the science part - I can't really specialise that much in environmental science. I may switch majors again (already did so once).

So my advice: go to open days, talk to academics, talk to uni students, research extensively - but know this: you're not locked in! I think we're really privileged to have the level of flexibility we have with uni. But above all - DO WHAT YOU LOVE. It's really easy to get sucked into what will get you the most money etc - but just do what you're passionate about! Because you'll be great at what you love! I want to get into environmental law and it definitely is no where near the more lucrative parts of law (commercial law etc), but I really want to do it!

 

[Viscosity]

Wow thank you for your advice !

 

[titaniumwithin]

I've wanted to do something sciency for ages
- At first it was marine biology for about 3 or 4 years and then changed my mind as I slowly realised that it wasn't as good as it seemed (in my opinion anyway)
- Then it was vet for about 3 years until end of year 11
- Then I wanted to do Advanced science because I had no idea what I wanted to do so I thought a broad degree would help me, but then I started freaking out about just ending up in research as a job which I didn't want to do.
- So I started looking at health science (mainly physiotherapy and occupational therapy). Physio was at the top of my options list for the majority of the time, however as I started researching the difference between physio and OT, I realised that physio wasn't for me and that I thought I would enjoy OT a lot more. I put OT on the top of my options list about 20 minutes before the uac applications to main round offers closed. I'm glad I made that decision to do OT though, because now that I know what both physios and OT's learn and practice, I know that it was the right decision

Sorry to butt in but what made you decide on choosing OT instead of PT? I am currently thinking of one or the another!

 

[someth1ng]

I wouldn't be too scared if you don't know what to do. I know so many people (lots of them are friends) who still don't know if they're doing the right thing.

Plus, as previously mentioned, there's plenty of opportunities to change your mind and so, don't stress.

 

[madharris]

Sorry to butt in but what made you decide on choosing OT instead of PT? I am currently thinking of one or the another!

I just thought that physio would be more or less the same thing day in and day out - e.g. you have a client with a hand injury and you have to treat him this certain way
Whereas as an OT, it can be different everyday, even with clients with the same disability - e.g.you have a client with a hand injury and based on his contexts, his goals, values, and abilities, you have to decide what will be best for him

Obviously OT isn't for everyone, quite a few people have found it either difficult or boring and have dropped out (and that's the same as physio). It's down to your personal preference on what you want to do. However I just thought being an OT would be a more rewarding career as you get to build a rapport with your client and get to see all your hard work pay off.

OP: Just choose a course that you think you might like to do - do a bit of research, if it turns out that it's definitely what you want to do in life then that's great, however if you don't want to do it then you can always transfer into something else or do a masters

 

[AB940]

It's not an easy choice; I'm on a gap year currently and I still haven't fully decided, but I have narrowed it down to two and there is a good chance that I won't get into one of them so in that case my decision will be made for me. Basically I thought about the kinds of subjects I liked. I really like chemistry so I've looked at degrees in the medical field with heavy chemistry components as well as just a science degree.

Don't stress, a lot of people feel the same way. I know very few people (in fact, I could probably name about two or three) who knew exactly what they wanted to do before it got towards the end of year 12, and I know plenty of people who are already at uni and still have no idea exactly what they want to do. Remember if you start something and don't like it you can always change.

 

[ilikecats]

I had no idea what I wanted to do all the way through school; so i figured university was probably where I would end up. I decided a commerce degree was probably the path I wanted because of the wide variety of careers that stemmed from that, and i was good at business/commerce subjects at school.

Results came out and I had done no where near as good as I wanted, so I gave up on the idea of uni and went out looking for full time work. I was pretty upset I'd done worse than expected, but I knew as I really had no idea what I wanted to study that I'd have time to think if it was even the right path for me.

Anyway, ended up applying for a few jobs here and there and I ended up getting an interview with an accounting firm for an admin position. While I was there, the HR manager was quite confused why I wasn't going to uni "because my marks were pretty good and you could still get into uni", and asked me if I would consider an accounting job instead. Went home and though about it, as accounting wasn't something i was interested in (my brother is an accountant and did a cadetship) and I thought it might be an option. If i didn't like it, I could always change to a different major, and I'd have a job and uni under my belt instead of one or another.

So i ended up applying for a few cadetships and ended up getting a few interviews and job offers; Got into UWS and the rest is history.

I guess in the end I ended up doing something nobody expected I would (even me!) but I don't regret it. I love having money (yay for money!) and I'm now at Macquarie which is where I wanted to be originally. And though I hated insolvency (where I first worked) with a passion, I am now in tax and I quite like it. Not as maths based as I thought.


Keep an open mind and you never know!


I had a friend who moved from wanted to do teaching to being a stewardess to moving to Japan to teach English, and she ended up getting a spot in Pharmacy even though she didn't quite meet the advertised requirements, and she loves it

Remember, whether you get into uni or not, or even if you don't know where you want to be or what you want to do you have an awesome opportunity to start your journey, and you never know what you will find along the way!

 

[Jinks]

I had no idea what I wanted to do all the way through school; so i figured university was probably where I would end up. I decided a commerce degree was probably the path I wanted because of the wide variety of careers that stemmed from that, and i was good at business/commerce subjects at school.

Results came out and I had done no where near as good as I wanted, so I gave up on the idea of uni and went out looking for full time work. I was pretty upset I'd done worse than expected, but I knew as I really had no idea what I wanted to study that I'd have time to think if it was even the right path for me.

Anyway, ended up applying for a few jobs here and there and I ended up getting an interview with an accounting firm for an admin position. While I was there, the HR manager was quite confused why I wasn't going to uni "because my marks were pretty good and you could still get into uni", and asked me if I would consider an accounting job instead. Went home and though about it, as accounting wasn't something i was interested in (my brother is an accountant and did a cadetship) and I thought it might be an option. If i didn't like it, I could always change to a different major, and I'd have a job and uni under my belt instead of one or another.

So i ended up applying for a few cadetships and ended up getting a few interviews and job offers; Got into UWS and the rest is history.

I guess in the end I ended up doing something nobody expected I would (even me!) but I don't regret it. I love having money (yay for money!) and I'm now at Macquarie which is where I wanted to be originally. And though I hated insolvency (where I first worked) with a passion, I am now in tax and I quite like it. Not as maths based as I thought.


Keep an open mind and you never know!


I had a friend who moved from wanted to do teaching to being a stewardess to moving to Japan to teach English, and she ended up getting a spot in Pharmacy even though she didn't quite meet the advertised requirements, and she loves it

Remember, whether you get into uni or not, or even if you don't know where you want to be or what you want to do you have an awesome opportunity to start your journey, and you never know what you will find along the way!

Perfect example of everything working out for the best!!

 

[Riproot]

I've always been interested in science/medicine/health/helping people
I wanted to be a vet for ages
But then I was like "nahhhh"
I don't really remember why
I think it was the communication thing
Like, they can't tell you where they hurt and stuff

Anyways, now I'm gonna be a medical

And last year like a few days before uni preffs closed I went to a BE/BMedSc lecture thingy with my friend at USyd Info Day and I was like "I like problem solving and maths, I'll do this" and changed my preffs like the last night you could.
Fucking hated it.
Boring as shit.

Also, I'm interested in Psych, Reconstructive, and General Practice
As all of these professions have had an effect on my childhood life in positive ways that have made me want to have the same effect on others.

 

[jaycoo50]

I've always been interested in science/medicine/health/helping people
I wanted to be a vet for ages
But then I was like "nahhhh"
I don't really remember why
I think it was the communication thing
Like, they can't tell you where they hurt and stuff

Anyways, now I'm gonna be a medical

And last year like a few days before uni preffs closed I went to a BE/BMedSc lecture thingy with my friend at USyd Info Day and I was like "I like problem solving and maths, I'll do this" and changed my preffs like the last night you could.
Fucking hated it.
Boring as shit.

I am also interested in Medicine,

Do you know if University of Queensland is undergraduate, can I apply for it or do I have to do a degree and then apply.

What are alternative way into medicine, like I mean for all uni's not just UWS.

Do you think Advanced science would be good to start, then apply for medicine or what about medical science. I want as much as info, bro.

How did you end up in UWS medicine, did you do medical science first

 

[Riproot]

I am also interested in Medicine,

Do you know if University of Queensland is undergraduate, can I apply for it or do I have to do a degree and then apply.

What are alternative way into medicine, like I mean for all uni's not just UWS.

Do you think Advanced science would be good to start, then apply for medicine or what about medical science. I want as much as info, bro.

How did you end up in UWS medicine, did you do medical science first

make a new thread

 

[Elisa Sweet]

Hoping to get into a psychology course. Originally wanted to do child care, then I studied CAFS and Society and Culture, and changed my mind.