BY DYLAN DE JONG 

The release of first-round tertiary education offers has prompted Wimmera year-12 graduates to start making preparations for life beyond school.  

Wimmera-Mallee secondary school graduates will look to start tertiary courses in coming months, with students receiving first-round university and TAFE offers late last week.  

Warracknabeal Secondary College 2020 dux William Drage, who scored an ATAR of 90.45, is preparing to make a ‘big move’ to Melbourne in late February. 

The college graduate was successful in his application to Monash University to study a Bachelor of Science.

“I’m a bit nervous, but really looking forward to it,” William said. 

“I’ve lived in Warracknabeal my whole life. It’s going to be a pretty extreme change for me.” 

William said a Bachelor of Science would allow him to explore subjects within the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM, where graduates were in high demand. 

“I chose a pretty broad subject and I still need to figure out what direction I want to take,” he said. 

“But there is a shortage of STEM students, so that will help me.” 

William said he felt prepared for university life after the learning-from-home experience in 2020 brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“The whole online learning is kind of a blur now,” he said.

“But I made sure I went for walks daily to get out of house and luckily I was employed and could go to work.

“For any students who are preparing for year 12 this year, try and stay motivated but don’t wear yourself out – it’s just one year.”

While thousands of students plan to make a move to tertiary education, others are looking at more practical options. 

Ararat College dux Jodan Grant will look to take a gap year in 2021 before starting a plumbing apprenticeship with his father next year. 

“I’m working as a lifeguard at the outdoor pool in Ararat and I’ll probably do that for about a year,” he said.

“Then I’m keen to go for an apprenticeship as a plumber with my dad.

“Plumbing has been a trade in my family for a long time.” 

Jodan said he would take away life lessons from the home-learning experience. 

“I learned how to work more independently and to be more conscious of my time management,” he said. 

“I tried my best to keep the lines of communication open with my teachers and that really helped me out during the year.” 

School leaders across the region congratulated the 2020 year-12 students who were successful in their applications into their universities of choice. 

More than 70 percent of Horsham College students received their first preference for tertiary education, while 87 percent received one of their top two preferences.

College students were successful in their applications for courses including nursing, midwifery, paramedicine, psychology, education, science, law and agriculture.

RELATED: Student leaders offer support to new VCE students

 

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