Resonated ... a uni information day inspired 2SER announcer Liz Jameson to pursue a radio career. Photo: Dallas Kilponen
Prospective university students face a week of excitement - or worry - as they decide on the career they want and the degree they feel will help them get there.
Students have until Friday to lock in their list of preferred degrees before the universities make their main round of offers on January 16.
To make the task less daunting, information days are being held at colleges and universities across the state to help students gather information, weigh up their options and get a feel for the place where they may spend the next few years.
The student recruitment manager at the University of NSW, Steve Sumter, says that now students have their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, they know what degrees are open to them.
Some students may have additional options after gaining a higher-than-expected ATAR, while others may be in a dilemma after missing the ATAR needed for entry to the course they wanted. Some may need a few more questions answered before making up their mind.
''So many times we hear people say, 'It's over, I won't get into what I want', but there are a number of things you can do, and that's why we are here,'' Sumter says.
''We can assist you on how to get to where you want to go. It's not the end of the story.''
The organiser of the information day at the University of Technology, Sydney, Janice Ly, says the event can be invaluable to students who are unaware of their options.
She says entry schemes can boost a student's application, and even if those avenues are exhausted, there are still many pathways to get a student into the course they want.
''In attending this event, students can receive one-on-one advice on these schemes and pathways, and potentially save themselves from missing out,'' Ly says.
A co-organiser of Macquarie University's Info Day, Raewyn Burden, recommends planning the day by visiting websites to find out when course information sessions are on, and arranging the rest of the day around that.
Most universities offer faculty information sessions, one-on-one academic advice, campus tours and free food, and students, academics and support service staff are on hand to answer questions ranging from subjects to be studied, exchange program opportunities, accommodation, alternative pathways, fees and uni life.
The student member-owned Co-op store will be open across all of its campuses to offer advice on what textbooks and equipment a degree will require, as well as offer a range of products a student may need.
The Co-op's chief marketing officer, Greg Smith, says the non-profit retailer is taking on a new look and becoming more in tune with what students want.
It has recently released the new Unibuzz app, which enables students to form assignment groups and have all the access to each other they need without having to join each other's personal social media groups while recording key study and party dates.
Smith says students can order textbooks directly from their lecture seat, buy computer and phone accessories, refreshments and lifestyle products, or simply ask questions of the Co-op workers.
''We have a lot of our staff manning these stalls who have extra experience on that campus,'' Smith says . ''They know the lecturers, they know the courses, and they talk to people.''
Ly says students who are trying to decide between universities should look at the day's events for the universities they are considering and try to get along to the info days at each one. ''It's a big decision they're making, so they want to be sure they're getting all the info they need to make the decision that's best for them,'' she says.
Liz Jameson is one person whose career path was determined by visiting an information day. She was initially not interested in following her sister into screen production, but was dragged along to the bachelor of media degree event anyway. ''I came out in the radio and music section and there were people with these big sound panels, and mum said my eyes just lit up,'' she says.
''There were people everywhere, and they looked like they were having fun.''
Although she had to sit through a year of media theory before getting into the exciting ''hands-on stuff'', Jameson says she now feels at home in radio.
The honours graduate has a radio announcer's role on community radio station 2SER, run out of Macquarie and UTS universities, and is hoping to continue her studies at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School.
❏ University of NSW: Thursday, January 3, 9am-4pm.
Kensington campus. Free parking at Gate 11, Botany Street, Randwick and at Gate 14, Barker Street, Kensington. Free shuttle bus all day to and from Central train station.
❏ University of Technology, Sydney: Thursday, January 3, 9am-4pm.
City campus, 15 Broadway, Ultimo.
❏ Macquarie University: Thursday, January 3, 9am-4pm.
Balaclava Road, North Ryde.
❏ Charles Sturt University: Thursday, January 3, 9am-2pm.
Homebush study centre, Suite 1.01, Quad 3, 102 Bennelong Parkway, Sydney Olympic Park.
❏ University of Notre Dame: Thursday, January 3, 9am-4pm.
104 Broadway, Broadway.
❏ University of Sydney: Thursday, January 3, 9.30am-4pm.
Camperdown campus, corner of Parramatta and City roads.
Free shuttle bus all day to and from Central train station. Redfern station is a 10-minute walk.
❏ Australian Catholic University: Thursday, January 3, 10am-4pm.
North Sydney campus, 40 Edward Street, North Sydney and Strathfield campus, 25A Barker Road, Strathfield.
❏ University of Western Sydney: Thursday, January 3, 4-8pm.
Parramatta campus, corner Victoria Road and James Ruse Drive, Rydalmere. Parking: Rosehill Racecourse. Shuttle bus from racecourse to Parramatta station (Darcy Street).
❏ University of Wollongong: Thursday, January 3, 9am-2pm.
University Hall, Wollongong campus, Northfields Avenue, Gwynneville.
❏ University of Newcastle: Thursday, January 3, 2-6pm and Thursday, January 17, 3-6pm.
Newcastle, Central Coast and Port Macquarie campuses.
❏ Southern Cross University: individual tours year-round.
Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Gold Coast campuses. Book: campustours@scu.edu.au or phone 1800 626 481.
❏ Bedford College: Friday, January 18, 10am-3pm.
54 Parramatta Road, Glebe.
❏ William Blue College of Hospitality Management: Saturday, January 19, 10am-2pm.
Northpoint building, 171 Pacific Highway, North Sydney.
❏ International College of Management, Sydney: Thursday, January 3, 10am-2pm.
151 Darley Road, Manly.
❏ Macleay College: Saturday, January 19, 10am-2pm.
28 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills. Tours and Q&A sessions: January 7-25, Monday to Friday at 12.30pm and 6pm.
❏ University of New England: Friday, May 3. une.edu.au.
❏ The Hotel School, Sydney. No open day but tours available any time.
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