What Course Should I Choose?

There are so many opportunities nowadays that sometimes it seems impossible to figure out exactly which university course is just right for you 😭 If you’re still unsure about what you want to do next year, don’t stress about it – trust yourself, do some research and you’re bound to find the perfect course for you. In the meantime, here are some things you can think about when making a decision:

Do what you love and follow your passions

It may seem like a cliche, but there is no point suffering through a degree that you hate only to change it later on and regret the time you wasted. If you choose a course you really love, you are much more likely to succeed in your classes and be more satisfied with your university experience overall.

Once you have narrowed down the courses that interest you, go onto the university’s website and look at what specific units of study they involve. Take a look at the course outlines or handbooks for each of these specific units of study to get an overview of what individual units within your possible degree may look like and what sort of things they might involve. 

If you are worried that you may not meet the ‘Lowest ATAR’ requirement for your dream course, remember that many institutions have alternative pathways that you can consider to get in.

Universities can also take certain adjustment factors into account alongside your ATAR, so have a look at whether you are eligible for any of those rather than settling for a course you don’t really want to do.

Think about the type of university experience you would like to have.

If you are planning on travelling internationally within your degree, look at the opportunities for transfer experiences that certain universities offer. Think about whether you would prefer to study full – time, part – time or online, considering all your other commitments and future career goals. You may even like to consider deferring your offer in order to take a gap year to experience life without school before going straight to university.

Here are some helpful guides from a number of universities

This outlines the degrees they offer, entry requirements, alternate pathways and flexible study options for you to begin thinking about what kind of course you would like to choose:

USYD:  USYD Guide 2023

UTS: UTS Guide 2023 

UNSW: UNSW Guide 2023

MACQUARIE:  Macquarie Guide 2023

Remember that there are plenty of opportunities to change your course later on if you find it isn’t doing it for you!  

Choosing a course when you haven’t even finished your exams yet can feel like a bit of a downward spiral, but if you look around and stick to your heart, you’re bound to find a course that gives you the fulfilling university experience you’ve always wished for (and seen in movies 😘). In the meantime, best of luck— and be sure to enjoy the rest of your high school life while it lasts! 🥳🙏