Ever wondered what it’s like to study uni remotely in our region?
Well – here’s an insight thanks to threeof our current students – Kyle, Alana and Kim.
This group of Murray River Study Hub uni students are each fantastic examples of how online study can benefit rural people – and they have allowed us to share some of their fantastic stories that might help our current crop of Year 12 students to consider taking the same direction.
Read more about their experiences below, and if this sounds like it might work for you, then come down and talk to one of our student advisors.
KYLE:
Kyle Adams is studying a Bachelor of Criminology online at CQUniversity. Kyle has found success in his studies since joining the Murraylands Study Hub campus.
He believes the main benefit of the Study Hub is the small campus environment. As a study zone, it allows him to do more work in a shorter amount of time, saying: “So the first reason I decided to study at the Murray River Study Hub is because I generally find it difficult to focus when I’m at home due to the massive amount of distractions.” This is an issue many students find when having to work from home. Multiple studies have shown that in order for students to achieve productivity it is crucial they’re in a positive learning environment.
Another key benefit for Kyle has been the support from the student advisors, saying he would never have been able to navigate the digital sphere of online uni without their guidance.
“I have decided to join the study hub is because I have a few health challenges that make it quite hard to focus sometimes and I’m able to make use of the services at the study hub to help focus more on what I should be doing,” Kyle says.
“And the final big reason I joined the hub is because I know little to nothing on most university things – like fees and technical issues – which I can talk to people available at the study hub about.”
Kyle’s experience highlights the strengths of the Study Hub that many other students have found..
ALANA:
Alana Heathcote is studying a Bachelor of Business and Accounting at CQUniversity through the Murraylands campus. She originally started the course while in Year 12 through the SUN program – so she was already ahead of her classmate when she started this year.
Alana enjoys studying online because she prefers to work through things at her own pace.
In terms of staying local – she’s found it: “easier to stay in touch with friends and family, it has also helped me to be close to past teachers, which gives me the freedom to ask for help outside of the uni assistance, if required”.
If she were to give a piece of advice to Year 12 students it would be to: “access the study hub because it offers students support, research materials, such as books or free WiFi, and assistance. The Hub also offers a place to study away from home, which for me I found to be quite useful and resourceful”.
KIM:
Kim Schwarz is a 43 year old first year student studying a Bachelor of Paramedicine. She is able to study this part-time and online at CQUniversity through the our Riverland campus.
Kim says that as a mum, moving from her region to study wasn’t an option because her family: “owns a home in Loxton, my husband has a business in the area, I have a permanent work position and our children have school locally”. Online study is the perfect option for her to access this study opportunity, still remain local and have minimal disruption to her family life.
She also notes the incredible amount of support given by the student advisors saying: “I really appreciated the support and advice from the study hub when I was going through the application process”.
“It seemed a little overwhelming as I didn’t know the system, but the student advisers were happy to spend time with me, followed up things that were unclear with the university and generally smoothed the process. I know that during my study if I need extra support that it will be available,” Kim says.
Online study has saved Kim from making the common sacrifices associated with on-campus learning. As she puts it, her family: “have been able to keep the life that we have with the addition of study without having to give up things to do be able to study. If I wasn’t able to study locally, it wouldn’t have been possible”.
From experiencing the benefits first hand – Kim strongly encourages Year 12 students to consider the Murray River Study Hub when making their uni selections.
“We’re so fortunate to have access to facilities and support like this in regional areas. It opens a world of possibilities without having to leave behind support networks, lifestyle or commitments,” she says.
If you would like to find out more about the hub, touch base with our student advisors for a chat about your options.
