Aspiring Hervey Bay journalist Liam Bland believes starting a degree while still in high school helped him write his way to early success when he began full-time university.

Now in his second year of a Communication (Journalism) degree at USC, Liam said attending lectures and tutorials at USC’s Fraser Coast campus in Year 12 as part of the Headstart program improved his school results and helped him transition to university.

The 2017 Fraser Coast Anglican College captain will share his experience of Headstart at an information session for high school students and parents on Thursday 21 March at USC Fraser Coast.

The Headstart program allows students to complete USC subjects while in Year 11 and 12, gain credit towards their Queensland Certificate of Education and work towards a university degree at the same time.

With no tuition fees for the first subject and a reduced fee for a second subject, it helps to reduce the overall cost of a degree. Scholarships are also available.

“Studying a university-level subject at school taught me new academic skills and gave me access to extra study resources and support which definitely improved the quality of my Year 12 work,” Liam said.

“It was also a great opportunity to try out a future career or study a subject that is not offered at school,” he said.

“During my first few weeks of university at USC’s Sunshine Coast campus, I felt much more confident, and knowing how to write and reference tertiary-level assessments was a great advantage.”

Having already gained credit for one USC subject while at school, Liam said Headstart also gave him the opportunity to reduce his study load in his first year of university.

The Headstart information session, from 4.30-6pm, will include practical advice for Year 10, 11 and 12 students interested in studying on-campus at USC Fraser Coast and gaining a taste of university life while still at school.

Students and their parents can talk to USC staff and students about the journey to university, take tours of the campus, and receive advice on career planning and applying to study via QTAC.

There will also be tips and advice for parents on how they can best support their child through Headstart and the challenges of senior schooling.

Register for the Headstart information session.

— Clare McKay