4 reasons why university is worth it.

Hear it from current and past USQ students.

Being the first in your family to study at university, you’re likely to

encounter a variety of emotions and self-doubt about study.

Current and past USQ students share their stories and experiences and

these 4 reasons will reassure you that undertaking university study is worth it.

You’ll gain increased self-confidence and self-growthNot only is your knowledge base growing through study, but so are you!

You’re able to learn new things in classes, but there are so many transferrable skills that university courses can teach you.

Take it from fellow first in family students, Ben and Andrea, the uni journey boasts the benefits of increased self-confidence and overall self-growth!

Source: Ward, L, Siegel, M & Davenport, Z 2012, First Generation College Students, Jossey-Bass, United States, viewed 27 July 2016, <http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy.usq.edu.au/lib/unisouthernqld/reader.action?docID=10580269&ppg=5>.

1

Since commencing study, I have felt empowered

and more confident sharing my understanding of

various topics with colleagues and friends, when

previously I might have felt out of my depth and

less willing to take part in those discussions.

- Ben, Master of Business Administration

I’m the first to admit that I was really lost when I

started my studies, but the more I’ve learnt, the

more confident I’ve become in what I’m studying,

who I am as a person and what my skills and

talents are. I think there’s always a few twists and

turns in everybody’s journey through uni, but you

learn so much about yourself along the way.

- Andrea, Bachelor of Communication

You’re working towards a stronger future

No matter what originally motivates you to go to university, study will expand your career options and better your opportunities for success in your industry of choice.

Did you know, USQ is the #1 university in Queensland for graduates in full-time employment?*

*Graduate Destinations Survey, 2012-2014

2

You feel guilty, but then you think, ‘hang on, I’m

doing this so that we can have a better life.’

- Roslyn, Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Business

At the end of the day, if you don’t do it, no-one else

is going to do it. You’re the only person who can.

- Ricky, Bachelor of General Education Studies

UNIVERSITY IS WORTH IT

You’ll have long-term benefits

Not only are you expanding your career options, but you’re also increasing your earning capacity!

An undergraduate qualification can increase your earning potential by more than $1 million over your lifetime*.

*Cullen, S 2012, ‘Uni graduates likely to earn $1m more over lifetime’, ABC, 24 October, viewed 3 August 2016, <http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-24/uni-graduates-likely-to-earn-one-million-more-over-lifetime/4330506>.

3

No matter what your trouble is, there’s always

a way to make it work. You don’t need to struggle

by yourself, there’s always someone

who can help you.

- Tammy, Bachelor of Commerce

I wasn’t going to let any circumstance I faced

inhibit my desire to complete uni…

my friends and family helped keep me true to

myself. I can honestly say that studying at uni has

been an incredible experience and while it’s not

quite over, I feel I have already come so far

compared to the person I was when I started.

- Mitch, Bachelor of Commerce

You’re taking the lead

Being the first in your family to attend university makes you a leader. You’re opening doors for your loved ones to follow*. Chances are they are much more informed about now, and potentially considering study themselves!

Source: O’Shea, S 2015, Filling up silences – first in family students, capital and university talk in the home’, International Journal of Lifelong Education, vol. 34, no. 2, viewed 27 July 2016, <http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02601370.2014.980342>.

4

As a younger sibling, I cannot thank my sister

enough for going to university, as it allowed me

to feel confident in pursuing tertiary studies and

it was a great feeling to know that someone else

had experienced what I was going through.

- Katie, second in family to attend university

My family struggled to see the big

picture in the beginning, but now they

can, so it was worth it in the end.

- Michelle, Bachelor of Nursing

UNIVERSITY IS WORTH ITIf you’re still unsure about what you’ll get out of your uni degree, have a chat to one of our friendly SROs or check out other first in family student experiences on USQ’s Social Hub!

CRICOS: QLD00244B NSW02225M TEQSA: PRV12081 31.2.6 08.2016 Graphics © Shutterstock Photos © USQ Online Marketing

social.usq.edu.au/fifThe First in Family Project (Phase 2) is funded through the Commonwealth Government’s Higher Education Participation Program (HEPP) in 2016, to improve the access, participation and success of students from communities under-represented in higher education.