Home I can do this! My journey to university What I wish I knew... Find your 'why' Review of Module 1.

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The journey so far ...

Whether attending university for the first time, coming to a university from another country, adapting to new ways of learning, going to university as the first in your family, or learning a new language, all students navigate their way through unique educational journeys.

On this page, we want you to reflect on the many different journeys we have all taken getting to university. To do this, you have three small tasks to complete:

Watch the "Graduate Stories" video featuring university alumni (graduates) telling their stories of coming to university.
Read the stories of the current students who helped create this site.
Tell us about your own journey by posting an image on the Padlet wall at the bottom of the page.

Watch our 'Graduate Stories' video

Graduate stories: In this video, University of Sydney graduates from Australia and overseas discuss their experience coming to the University for the very first time!

Read current students' experiences of coming to university

Photo of Mahmoud pushing a wheelbarrow as a child Me, being the amazingly skilled labourer I am, helping out

Mahmoud - "a way to move forward"

Growing up in a working-class family in a working-class suburb, the idea that higher education was worth pursuing was drilled into my head by my parents; a way to move forward, learn, and constantly progress. While I knew university was the goal, I had no idea what I wanted to study. It wasn't until high school that I knew what I wanted. I adored legal studies, constantly asking critical questions, and thinking outside of the box, so a commerce and law degree stood out to me! When I first stepped into the Great Hall, I was mesmerised. It was also overwhelming, but it was a challenge I wanted to embrace.

Christine - "be greater and do greater"

My parents were immigrants from Palestine; they came to Australia in 1993 with $5000 and their university degrees. I grew up in Western Sydney and attended several public and private schools (drumroll please... FIVE total!!). My dad always repeated the mantra that a university degree is an insurance against poverty. I chose to study education because I believe that it gives people the ability to be greater and do greater. University isn't the only pathway to your goals but my degree has undeniably made a great difference in my life. I've been able to do things I never imagined were possible like teaching English for a whole month at a rural Indonesian High School. This sounds cliche, but in my experience at the University of Sydney, it's not about the destination (you can say this next part aloud), it's about the journey.

Christine's parents posing for a photograph.jpg My parents c.1993

Click here to read more student stories of coming to university!

Tiarna aged 8 in school uniform
I was about this big when I decided I wanted to go to university

Tiarna - "you get to choose what you learn!"

From the moment my mother explained the concept of university to little 8-year-old me - 'you get to choose what you learn' - I was hooked! As someone who loves learning, I always felt that university was the path for me... I've tossed around lots of ideas since those early days. At one point, I was dead-set on being an on-field physiotherapist at NRL games. I am a massive history fan and agriculture has always interested me. Eventually, through many many twists and turns, I whittled it down to genetics or law. I couldn't decide so now little old me is doing a double degree in both!

Matilda - "I applied and to my surprise, I got in!"

Growing up, I always knew I was smart, but that never translated across onto paper. When I was 15, a teacher noticed my outgoing nature and passion for public speaking and recommended that I apply for the University of Sydney's WMBB Indigenous Summer Program. I applied and to my surprise, I got in! I fell in love with the University instantly and vowed that I would be a student there one day. So when I went back to school I dedicated myself to my studies, but something still wasn't connecting. I ended up being diagnosed with dyslexia when I was 16 and getting the help I needed. Now I am doing a law degree!

Matilda speaking at the WMBB Indigenous Summer Program.jpg Me, aged 15, winning 'The WMBB Talent Show!'

Robert dressed in graduation clothes with his father
My dad and I at my Year 12 graduation from Canley Vale High School

Robert - "amazing and scary at the same time"

I always loved the idea of buildings, it was amazing to see these giant blocks that don't tumble down. I thought it was pretty cool so I thought I might go and study something related to that. Now I am a 3rd-year civil engineering student. My parents were refugees that immigrated here some 30 years ago that have never been to university, making me the first in my family to attend university which was amazing and scary at the same time. I had to really figure everything out myself but fortunately, I have found my way around uni being involved in different events, societies and uni sports with the university.

Michelle - "every person is the maker of their own destiny"

Since the very beginning, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in education. My transition from high school to university was fairly smooth academically, but socially a few obstacles arose. Much like everyone else, the most daunting things for me were making new friends, balancing uni and work commitments, and the whole notion of independence. Regardless of the obstacles that come my way, I still live by the motto of the high school I graduated from: "Faber est suae quisque fortunae." When translated from Latin to English, it means "Every person is the maker of their own destiny."

Michelle receiving an award for her participation in the NSW Department of Education's 'Secretary for a Day program'.png Me, participating in the NSW Dept. of Education's 'Secretary for a Day' program

Florence posing for her High School picture.png
Here's me, smiling through the pain that was the HSC!

Florence - "University of Sydney or bust!"

As the daughter of migrants, education is highly valued within my family and university was always on the agenda. I found out about the University of Sydney in Year 8. I saw the Great Hall on the front cover of an undergraduate guide and thought this is it - "University of Sydney or bust." My transition to uni was pretty smooth, but as the first person in my family to attend uni in Australia, the enrolment and the timetabling processes were difficult to navigate! However, the University's support services were incredibly helpful and made the transition process less stressful for myself and my family.

What's your story?

While it may appear as if the majority of students make the jump from high school to university the same way, each student's path has many unique twists and turns. Think about your journey so far. Where did it begin? Who supported you along the way? What inspires you?

We'd love it if you could share something about your journey. On the Padlet wall below, post an image that best represents where you've come from. This could portray an object, a symbol, a meme, an artwork, a place, an activity or a group of people. Most importantly, it will be meaningful to you!

Afterwards, you can also comment and like other posts made by your fellow students.

Click on the plus (+) in the lower right corner to post your journey pictures. You can also access this Padlet using this link: https://bit.ly/3oNctXZ

Stay connected!

Meet a peer to discuss your journey to university through Peer Facilitated Programs with the Learning Hub, Peer Support Advisors with Student Life, Peer Mentoring Programs in your Faculty, or Peer Learning Advisors in the Library.
Join the University on Instagram, Facebook, or the University Student Union Facebook.
Watch the 'Active Pathways to Uni' episode of the Reinventing the Gap Year series for other stories of coming to university from other students!
If you have your uni-key and password, try out the My Journey site. You'll see blue lines on the map that represent the places other students have come from in their journeys. When you put yours in, your journey will come up in red.

Please note that all posts are anonymous but anyone who visits this site can view the wall! Your posts are subject to Padlet's terms of service (including Padlet's privacy policy and community guidelines). If you do not agree to those terms, do not submit a post.

Pro-tip: Padlet is often used during classes at the University of Sydney, so you are already using some of the common tools you will come across during your classes!

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Images courtesy of advanced life (Florence's Journey Photo) and flickr (banner photo), reproduced under Creative Commons licence ( CC BY-NC-4.0). All other images are not held under copyright.