Final-year USC Criminology student Paige Potts had been the only person in her family to have studied at university – that was until her mother Kirsty followed her example by enrolling at USC this year.

The Burpengary mother and daughter are now study partners, with Kirsty signing up for a Bachelor of Nursing Science to advance her experience as an enrolled nurse.

20-year-old Paige, who is the eldest of Kirsty’s four children, has only one semester remaining in her Bachelor of Criminology and Justice and is hoping to forge a career with the police or corrective services.

Kirsty, 39, said Paige’s progress at university had motivated her into taking the next step in her education, having previously completed a Diploma of Nursing.

“I was so proud of Paige the first day that she went to university,” she said. “She actually inspired me into enrolling, and I’m so glad I did.

“I felt that having both of us studying at the same university would give me that little bit of extra motivation, and we were both keen for the personal experience that USC offered.

“Even though we’re studying such different fields, I find what she’s learning about really interesting, and she takes an interest in my degree as well. We’ll even proof-read each other’s assignments.”

Paige, a Narangba Valley State High School graduate, said she had enjoyed being able to share the challenges and successes of university with her mother.

“It’s great to be going through the same experiences at USC,” she said. “We’ve actually got quite similar personalities, even though what we’re studying is quite different.

“I was really nervous about coming to uni. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but it was such a friendly environment that I felt as though I belonged straight away.

“When I first started, someone from USC gave me a call and checked in with how I was finding my first few weeks. That really helped my confidence.”

USC’s Open Day will be held on Sunday 23 July.

— Gen Kennedy