Parents
Sending your children off to university can be a stressful time all around. Even if they aren’t moving out of home, there are a lot of things to get done and it’s often difficult to know where to start.
To help your child choose the right course for them, talk to them about how they see their future, what their interests are, what they enjoy and which subjects they are good at. Suggest that they speak to someone working in an area they are interested in, so they understand which course they will need and will be better informed about how to select appropriate subjects.
It’s also a good idea to get them to look at the University Admissions Centre website so they understand the minimum score or UAI for entry into particular bachelor degrees. If your child is an International student, go to the Macquarie International website for more information about enrolment.
If they aren’t a recent school leaver, or they don’t have the best UAI, or they’re currently studying elsewhere, there are still plenty of alternative pathways to study at Macquarie University. These include previous study being recognised, the Non-award Study scheme, the Lighthouse Scheme for those with special circumstances, the Jubilee Scheme for those over 21 years of age, and the Elite Athlete and Performer Scheme.
For those who have completed the equivalent of Year 12 studies in Australia or overseas but who do not qualify for direct entry to Macquarie University there is also the opportunity to do diplomas and advanced diplomas at the Sydney Institute of Business and Technology (SIBT) which is located on the Macquarie University campus. On completion of the SIBT diploma or advanced diploma, students may gain entry into the second year of a relevant Macquarie University degree.
Once the choice of a degree has been made, applying and enrolling should be top of the list. Both of these have deadlines which should be noted and adhered to strictly.
Then comes the matter of finances. Remember, the time spent at university can become expensive (especially for parents), so it helps to be prepared. There are a range of support options including scholarships, loans and Australian Government initiatives such as Austudy.
Extra funds can also come from part-time jobs as university courses rarely have fulltime face to face requirements and there are significant holiday periods. Also, having a job through uni will put them ahead of the game when they want to launch their career.
Of course, while your child is at university, they’ll need somewhere to live. Before it gets too late, you’ll need to have a talk about accommodation. Macquarie University offers excellent housing options such as Dunmore Lang College, Robert Menzies College and Macquarie University Village. Unlike the traditional colleges, students at the village are housed in individual townhouses with a maximum of five students per townhouse. In 2007 the first set of new townhouses under a significant expansion scheme will come online. By mid next year the expansion will provide 516 extra rooms, allowing the University to cater for almost 900 students every year.
Convenient off-campus accommodation is also plentiful and can be sourced through newspapers, the Internet, local real estate agents or the noticeboards around campus.
Once the bare necessities – choosing a degree, enrolment, accommodation – are out of the way, you might want to talk about what your child will be doing when not in classes and studying. Remember, university can be a lonely time at first, so make sure your child has looked at the clubs and societies page. Getting involved, meeting like minded people, and experiencing the huge range of activities on offer is as much part of university life as study. Creating a balanced, interesting campus life often results in better marks, as work is more organised so it fits in around other activities. Of course, you can’t make their friends for them, but if they’re out there meeting people, and have an active social life, and a good support network, they’re much more likely to succeed, than to drop out when the going gets tough.
To help them overcome that daunting “I can’t do this” feeling, check out the Student Support information so that you understand and can talk to them about how much Macquarie University offers in order for them to succeed.
By attending a Parents Information Evening, you can get a better insight into the life your child will be having at Macquarie, and get answers to any questions you might have.
You could also check out the Bulletin Board, join in the Liaison Activities such as a campus tour and/or contact us. To receive regular updates on Macquarie innovations register to receive our online eNewsletter Connect.