How to get into university
How I did it: I had a rough time in senior high school, I had a bunch of auto-immune problems and fell too far behind to really excel in my subjects. I was at a selective high school for gifted and talented, so the bar was set high in academics and creative subjects. I took a couple of steps back, and made a list of everything I could do to rectify and improve my grades - from breaking down my course load (I did year 12 over two years, though an option called 'Pathways'), deciding I would NEVER fail another assessment, checking the unit outlines religiously to make sure I was doing what was necessary, drawing up weekly reviews for each class, sleeping a certain amount of hours per night, getting physical exercise to destress etc etc. Small steps, to ensure that I was doing everything I could to make up ground, and not loose any more.
When I got through my exams, and received the results and my entry score, I was absolutely shattered. I thought it was the end, and that there was no chance any decent school would take me. I cried for the first few days. Then I started looking at all the back door entries into courses though websites and the UAC guide, checking out certificates you could take at community colleges (TAFE), different kinds of admissions and what not - I made a list of the other sorts of things I could try. Before I could get too far into trying back entries, the first main round of university offers were released and to my shock I got an acceptance letter from an average university to study Bachelor of Arts (Psychology).
Lessons & tips: I accepted my offer for BA psych, and am 1/2 way through my first year (I did it for one
year, part time). The point I want to make here is don't let big goals
overwhelm you - break them down into smaller steps, have lists of
things you need to do, and rigorously stick to what needs to be done.
Do one thing a week. Do one smaller thing a day. Create a timetable for
what needs doing and when. Chase your dreams, don't let them fall away
because they look too distant. FWIW I'm a Distinction average student
now - I never thought I would see that day
Resources: The UAC admissions guide, each universities UAI cut off, TAFE website, advice from teachers, getting mentoring for time management.
