Favourite thing about being at Uni?
I know I’m receiving everything I’ll need to get where I want to go, but at the same time I’m loving the journey. Plus I get to do it all with great people!
What’s it like commuting to UOW each day from Sutherland?
I live at home and just commute down whenever I have class. It’s such an easy drive. So many people in my course come from Sydney so I’ve only ended up having to drive about once a week. Plus it’s cheap to still live at home!
Why did you choose your particular degree?
I’m a good talker, so law was always an option. I think I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer. In high school I studied economics and found it made sense to me, and that I really enjoyed it. So when I found out I could study a whole other degree in Economics on top of the Law degree for only 12 extra months, it was a no brainer to study both.
Do you think studying at UOW is preparing you for the future? If so, how?
Definitely! I’m not just learning straight out of a text book about theory, but am being taught by practicing professionals in their field. So along with the up-to-date legal theory, I’m also learning how this knowledge applies in real-life through my teacher’s personal stories. This is all in a sociable learning environment where it’s ok to ask if you don’t understand something.
Also, some of my compulsory law subjects are made up of a “real skills” component. For example, this year I’ve taken subjects such as Communication Skills, which is almost entirely based on client interviewing skills, so I am prepared to start this as soon as I begin working. I’ve also taken Advocacy Skills and mooting competitions which have allowed me to present cases such as a mock bail application in the Wollongong local court, as well as plea applications in UOW’s own simulated moot court.
What have you learned about yourself while studying at UOW?
That there’s more to me than I thought! I’ve learnt heaps about how I relate to people, especially those older than me, and how I can continuously improve at the things I do. That’s the kind of thing that now helps me in interviews, making speeches and even writing papers.
In your opinion, what’s the biggest difference between studying at high school and studying at UOW?
If I don’t do readings at uni, then they don’t get done. My learning is really up to me, so it’s my choice how well I want to go. Also my timetable is very different at uni. Rather than 6 hours a day, 5 days a week like at high school, I’m generally on campus only two or three days a week.
How are they most alike?
You make your experience at uni what you want. That is, you’ll get out what you put in!
