As they head towards the last term of their first year of tertiary study, it’s great to hear that our scholarship students, Gabby and Benison, have settled into the rhythm of University life.

Gabby is currently studying a Bachelor of Radiation Therapy at RMIT University. From her experience so far she reports, “I’m really enjoying my first year of tertiary studies and have been learning so much. I’m currently doing my clinical placement at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Radiation Therapy, which has been such an exciting experience. I’ve been able to see how everything we’ve learnt at university is applied in a real clinical setting and I’m really enjoying getting hands on experience and learning from the staff.

The scholarship funding has been a huge help throughout my first year. It has helped support me with the costs associated with studying and has made the transition into tertiary education a little easier. I’m very grateful for the support and opportunity that the scholarship has given me.”

For Benison, who is studying a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne, there have been the usual adjustments to the sharp contrast between secondary and tertiary study. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my first semester at university and the freshness tertiary education entails in contrast to high school,” he said. “Although I do miss high school, it’s been a great experience to meet so many different types of people and be more independent and accountable for my learning. That being said, the first semester felt like a learning curve to see how I best study and juggle studies, hobbies and time with family and friends. In conjunction with the mid-year break, I feel I have learnt a lot and can put my best foot forward for the second semester.