Each year, more students are considering the possibility of starting their tertiary studies at an interstate university. Parents who are reluctant to even consider the possibility of their teenager studying interstate are often unaware of the many advantages of this option.
Students in the US almost never keep living at home while studying at the tertiary level. Stepping out of home and standing on their own feet as they start tertiary education is seen as an important rite of passage for American students. And in Australia, the number of students applying for and accepting university places interstate is growing each year.
The benefits of studying away from home are huge. Here are just a few benefits to consider…
- FRIENDS – Students who study interstate often forge stronger friendships because they are forced to do so. Often they live on campus or in shared housing situations where they need to support each other because mum and dad are not around to help them through the day to day dramas.
- PERSONAL GROWTH – Studying away from home helps students grow up and gain increased maturity, independence, self-confidence, self-reliance, organisational skills, problem-solving ability and a host of other important skills.
- UNIQUE DEGREES – Often interstate universities offer unique degrees not available in a student’s home state.
- PATHWAY TO HARD-TO-REACH COURSES – Sometimes it’s easier for students to land a place in a very popular course interstate than it is in their own state. Many courses have a quota of places for interstate applicants. Universities know that students who are prepared to re-locate and live interstate are almost always highly motivated and will do well academically.
- SCHOLARSHIPS – Many universities have scholarships for interstate applicants. Once again, students who leave home to study are almost always highly motivated and serious about their studies. They have taken the trouble to re-locate in order to study and are less likely to allow distractions to prevent them from excelling academically.
- EXPANDED WORLD VIEW – Studying interstate gives students an opportunity to really experience life in a new part of Australia. It expands their world view and makes them more life-ready.
- GRADUATE INTERVIEWS – Studying interstate makes young people stand out from the crowd at graduate interviews. This is immediately a great talking point and prospective employers can see that this graduate has independence, courage, initiative, drive and enthusiasm for life.
- GREATER APPRECIATION OF FAMILY – Studying away from home generally makes students more appreciative of everything parents have done for them. They may even miss your cooking! It’s almost always a win-win!
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