Year 12 students from local high schools have celebrated their success in completing the University of Wollongong (UOW) University Preparation Program (UPP) at the UOW Southern Highlands campus.
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The students completed a 20-week program which provided subject-based tutoring with current UOW students, assisting them in their subjects as they head towards their final HSC exams starting 18 October.
The students also completed a weekly seminar series to build their awareness of the soft skills required to get their best out of themselves both during the HSC and for life beyond school.
Students were also provided assistance with submitting applications for early admission to UOW.
The final day of the program saw each student attending a mock interview in preparation for their formal early admission interviews which are being held this week.
A team from the UOW outreach unit in Wollongong joined local UOW Southern Highlands staff in conducting the mock interviews.
UOW outreach manager Tamsyn Richards was impressed by how well the Southern Highlands students were prepared for their interviews.
“It was evident from talking to students and parents that they had a great UPP experience at the local campus,” Ms Richards said.
“The program is designed to get the students to start becoming familiar with the university environment and learning platforms, and to provide them with the academic and soft skills which will make their transition to university much more successful”.
Twenty-three students completed the program from Bowral, Moss Vale, Picton and Goulburn High Schools as well as Chevalier and Wollondilly Anglican Colleges.
The students were successful in gaining early admission interviews for a range of courses, including health and medical sciences, biotechnology, psychology, law, business, teaching, creative arts and the humanities.
UOW Southern Highlands campus manager Stephen Lowe said the students have shown initiative in attending this program after school every week during terms two and three.
“The focus on career development, effective study habits and other soft skills, including the mock interviews have given them a confidence boost which will be valuable going into the formal interviews in Wollongong this week,” Mr Lowe said.
The students will learn the outcomes of their early admission interview on 15 October, just before the final HSC exams start.
“For students securing early admission, this will help ease the stress a little during a time of high pressure during the final exam period,” Mr Lowe said.