25 Oct 2015

In your last couple of years of school, basically all you’re thinking about is getting out of there. You’ve got to start thinking about what you’re going to do in the future, where you’re going to go. Where your life is going to go.

Uni isn’t like what you’ve seen in American college films (unless you move into the college, in which case, it might be a little closer). The first year is honestly awkward as anything.

The first few weeks you spend basically floating – even if your friends go to the same uni, it’s rare they’re going to be in and out of classes at the same time you are. Everyone’s trying to make a good first impression on people, trying to build friendships in class and outside of it. And then it begins.

Uni is hard. You might expect to cruise through, making friends left right and centre, parties every weekend. But as you might have heard, drop out rates are still on the rise, and graduate jobs are getting harder and harder to come by. I was in my first year of journalism and my teachers were already telling us that there were no jobs. That’s something really inspiring to hear when you’ve just embarked on your chosen life course, isn’t it? Also, sidenote, uni parties are usually terrible, and there’s no a cappella groups to join to live out your Pitch Perfect dreams (but there is Quidditch).

If you’re looking for a university experience where you’re not just another name in a lecture hall of thousands, you might want to consider the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA). It’s not just about floating through and earning a degree at the end of four years. The program at ADFA combines military and leadership training with a recognised degree from the University of New South Wales (UNSW).If earning a starting salary of more than $40,000 in your first year isn’t enough, your accommodation is sorted as you get to live on campus (with your own room) in a tight knit group with similar interests and career aspirations. And, unlike regular uni, you have a guaranteed job upon graduation in the Australian Defence Force. That’s enough to brighten any outlook.

Alongside your studies, you’ll complete military training, with a significant emphasis on leadership development, based in experience. It covers subjects like first aid, military law, physical training and weapons training, just to name a few. You’ll also have Single Service Training, where you’ll learn about and experience life in the Service you’ve joined (Army, Navy or Air Force). The skills you’ll gain along the way will help you in all aspects of your life. And even though the campus is based in the Australian Capital Territory, in Canberra, don’t worry – there’s more than enough opportunity to go home.

Another thing to consider is the quality of teaching. At regular universities the class sizes are expanding by the day, but at ADFA and through UNSW there is the best teacher-to-student ratio in the country. You’ll feel like a real person, not just another nameless body in a sea of students floating around campus trying to figure out what the lecturer meant. And don’t worry about the lifestyle. Most people don’t realise that being a member of the Australian Defence Force is, in many ways, just like a regular job. Once your study commitments are complete, there’s plenty of time to enjoy your free time. There are always lots of opportunities to socialise at ADFA. Regular social events are held both on and off campus, including formal mess dinners, sporting social functions and other social gatherings.

ADFA also has a fantastic sports program, which allows you to take part in just about any sport in the local area. There’s a healthy focus on fitness and being a part of the team. What’s better than that?

Apart from a having uni experience like no other, there’s the guaranteed job after you graduate,the subsidised accommodation, a degree from UNSW, plus food and friends – literally what else are you looking for?

For more information about the Australian Defence Force Academy and your future career, visit defencejobs.gov.au/education/adfa or call 13 19 01.