There are other ways to get into uni

There are many paths to the same destination. This is the story of a girl who took a slight detour on her way to the university course of her dreams.

This can help if:

• you’re worried about getting into uni

• you didn’t get the marks you wanted at school

• you want to know about other paths to get into a course.

Getting my marks

It was judgement day, the day I found out my score to get into uni to study the course of my dreams. I did everything I could to avoid being at home when the post arrived. I was terrified by the expectations I felt from my parents and my friends, the school, but mostly from myself.

I opened the envelope and saw my score. It wasn’t fantastic, which I immediately read as ‘failure’. I burst into tears, threw the letter on the floor and ran up to my room, knocking a chair over on the way. I didn't want to talk to anyone. My family looked concerned, but they couldn’t have been more disappointed than I was. I felt like crap –the one loser among my friends.

I didn’t get in

All my hopes of getting into uni had been blown out the window. It seemed I’d have to get a job and work for the rest of my life without a good education. Everyone had always told me I wouldn't get anywhere without a degree, but with my score a uni education didn’t seem possible.

After a couple of days, I emerged from my room. My dad sat me down for a talk. I said I felt I’d disappointed him. He’d always wanted his only daughter to go to uni as well, not just his sons. I felt like I’d let down my biggest fan and the person I most admire. But he suggested there might be another way.

A different path to my course

When Dad told me that another option was to do a Bachelor of Arts first, then upgrade into my desired course, I was resistant to the idea. It wasn't what I wanted. I would prefer to work than do a course I didn't like.

Dad said just to think it over. I did some research and learnt that some of the course did interest me, and that there was a very good possibility that, at the end of the first year, I’d get into the course I wanted to study.

So, I changed my preferences and at 1.30 in the morning, I rang up the hotline to find out if I’d got into uni, and I had! This year, I’ll complete my original choice of degree after changing over from the Bachelor of Arts. I’ll be in the first group of graduates to ever complete the degree.

My dad was there to help me and reassure me along the way. He shared his knowledge with me, and his belief that I could achieve my goal if I wanted to. By finishing my degree, I’ve proved to myself that I can achieve anything I set out to do.