Here's How To Pick The Right Uni and Course For You

Let’s be real. Picking the right uni and course for you can be daunting at the best of times, and with everything that’s happened it’s safe to say that these are NOT the best of times. There’s so much to consider and choose out there that it can make you want to give up before you even start. But dw! We’ve teamed up with Macquarie Uni to give you a 5-step guide on what to look for in a uni or degree that will help you get where you wanna be.
 

What type of degree are you looking for?

There’s the obvious stuff right - what you’re interested in and what you wanna do once you’ve got your degree. Something you might not have thought about is if a university offers degrees with flexibility to customise what you’re majoring or minoring. You can also look into double degrees to give your qualifications an extra boost in less time than if you were to do one and then the other.

For instance, Macquarie University actually lets you create your own double degrees, meaning you can get exactly what you want out of your time at uni.
 

Do you get to get your hands dirty?

Theory is super important, but when it comes to looking for your first grown-up job, you’ll notice that the listings are mainly about what you can do rather than what readings you’ve done. Take a look into the course descriptions to see if they have units or courses allocated to things like internships, placements or portfolio developments. These things will give you real-world experience that will help you hit the ground running as you start your career.
 

How about social life?

The student experience isn’t just about burying your head in your books for a few years! You’ve gotta get out there and make new friends and memories along the way. It’s not just about snagging insta followers either. As soon as I hear the word ‘networking’ I can’t help but roll my eyes, but really it’s just another way of saying that you’ve got mates and colleagues who work in similar industries that you can hit up for advice or job recs. 

Don’t sleep on taking a look at what social events and spaces are on offer!
 

Is it easy to travel there or a bit of a trek?

Believe me - having an easy trip there and back takes such a weight off your shoulders. Look for something that has great public transport options as well as things to do locally. A perfect example would be Macquarie - it literally has its own metro station, plus it’s right next to Macquarie Shopping Centre.
 

Do you get any career support after graduating?

Not many people realise that your uni might be able to help you out after you graduate when it comes to career support. Macquarie Uni, for instance, provides employment support to help you find a job for up to a year after you graduate. Honestly, I wish I had that kind of support looking for a job after graduating bc it’s tough out there on your own!

I still have no idea where to start!

We get it - one article isn’t going to be the last piece in the puzzle. What might be an even bigger help is actually hearing what the student experience is like from a real student studying right now. That’s why Macquarie Uni has set up their Explore Your Options events from 13–23 December 2021 and 17–28 January 2022.

You can book a 1:1 consultation with a student who can answer any questions you might have, take a tour and a look around the campus, and soak in the vibes! Take a look here for all the deets.