Course Options

[breeno]

Okay, so I'm looking at going to Uni next year in Victoria. I'm hopefully going to gain a mid 90's ATAR, so most suggestions for courses should be good.

Anyway, so I have a vast array of interests and goals.

I'm interested in doing:

International Relations
Psychology
History
English

An arts degree, maybe at Melbourne looks like my best option. However, I'm also looking at secondary teaching later on down the track.

I'm looking at doing an International Relations Bachelor at La Trobe, and I'm still in the process of inquiring about if I would be able to complete a History minor with my electives (which should allow me to teach humanities down the track, and the IR degree if I do a Masters should allow me to get into the public sector).

Arts at Melbourne should allow me to major in Psych and International Relations, however I would be unable to gain any reputable History or English Literary (for teaching) through electives, as the bredth subjects there must be taken outside of Arts.

I'm also looking at Law/International Relations double degree at La Trobe or a Law/Psych double degree at La Trobe.

Has anyone got any suggestions as to what I could (even if they are a teacher and have some more info about the necessary qualifications). Any suggestions for a kid unsure as to what he will do once finishing year 12 would be fantastic, also if anyone is doing one of these type of courses could you share your experiences?

Thanks, Jake.

 

[Twinkletoes]

Get into Arts/Law at Melbourne Uni, do well in year one then reassess breeno. Most highly regarded uni and good first year results will open other options to you, both within Melb. Uni or elsewhere, for a transfer in year two if you wish.

Other than that, if this is true:

I'm interested in doing:

International Relations
Psychology
History
English

.....you could always do theology studies and work your way up through the ranks of the Roman Catholic Church to the position of Pope! That seems to cover most of those mate.

 

[breeno]

Thanks a lot TT. I'm still unsure as to what the **** I'll do with my life, so as you said, an Arts degree should be my best bet.

Not too interested in the Church side of things to be honest

 

[hilly]

breeno I haven't studied the areas you are interested in. However, I'd advise that:

Arts seems to be a good starting point if you have a vast array of interests and goals - try before you buy if you like, and credit transfers are relatively easy to obtain if you wish to change courses.

In terms of which uni you want to attend, go where you most want to go! Think about where you live, where your mates are, the variety of courses and subjects available etc. No offence to t'toes but unless you plan on working at one of the 'old boy' law firms, no one will give a toss about which uni you attended. Having said that, his advice about doing arts/law and then re-assessing is not the worst idea. I have heard some less than flattering comments about LaTrobe but your judgment will be the best one.

Finally, it's good that you are thinking ahead, but you need to realise that you're only 17 or 18 (I presume). You have plenty of time to change down the track, so don't get too hung up on it. People change a lot between your age and their late 20s (which is me ) and university study will help you realise what it is you want to do.

Just make a choice, do the best you can do, think about your career whilst realising you can always change what you're doing, and enjoy!

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Definately looks like you want to do some form of Arts degree.

I had no idea what I wanted to do (currently 4th yr uni) and sort of just chose courses that i had interest in.

First year I did: Zoology, Botany (no interest but needed a 3rd Science) Chemistry and Law.

Failed one semester of chemistry due to shit lecturers (we had people who had passed college chemistry with scores of 90% plus passing by under a percent) huge uproar about that year still. This meant I couldnt do Law which was my first choice... well I could but i would of had to do 3 yrs of extra uni.

2nd year I did 4 Zoology, 2 botany and 2 Microbiology subject.

3rd year, 4 Zoo, 4 Micro.

Ended up with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) with a double major in zoology and microbiology.

The best thing to do is follow your head, can you see yourself spending your life doing law? or is there something else you have more interest in? If you have a free line chuck in Law just for how good it looks on your CV. Once youve got a year of uni behind you the path will sort of open up to you and subject selection becomes much much easier.


P.S: Psychology is a very interesting subject and is very ambiguous, this means most Unis allow it to count towards an Arts OR Science degree. If you still cant decide what to do I recommend going and seeing a subject counsellor, most Unis have these people available for free on campus. Or even a Faculty subject coordinator should be able to give you more info.

 

[breeno]

Thanks a lot for the information guys. So far I'm still very undecided as to what I want to do.

My careers counsellor reckons Arts/Education could be the go at Monash, since it will give me a backup career choice, whilst also allowing me to major in one area and minor in two (hopefully, I have to ring them to confirm this is the case). This should allow me to do a broad array of study, whilst also giving me a backup career option.

 

[Twinkletoes]

Originally Posted by hilly
No offence to t'toes but unless you plan on working at one of the 'old boy' law firms, no one will give a toss about which uni you attended.

A gun student, and employee, will supercede which uni people have attended, no doubt about that. BUT, as someone who's employed many professionals I can tell you it makes a massive difference when weighing up two virtually identical applicants, with the only difference being the institution they attended. If the uni's differ, then obviously the employer will be more likely to hire the Aussie version of an Ivy League graduate. It was in that context I was using it as an example.

Originally Posted by breeno
Thanks a lot TT. I'm still unsure as to what the **** I'll do with my life, so as you said, an Arts degree should be my best bet.

As hilly said breeno, there's no rush. I'm 42 and know many mates who still have no clue what they WANT to do. They've just qualified in a certain field and begun work in a related industry and bang..............they're 40 and still wondering.

It'll work out fine, whatever you choose.

 

[Mr Reliable]

Don't get too much advice from too many people. You'll end up so confused you won't know whether you're coming or going.

Whatever you decide you're a smart guy. It'll work out fine.

 

[Twinkletoes]

Don't get too much advice from too many people. You'll end up so confused you won't know whether you're coming or going.

Whatever you decide you're a smart guy. It'll work out fine.

Agree with all of this. Mr Reliable............reliable as always.

 

[breeno]

Thank a lot for all the help guys, it really is appreciated.

Mr. R, thanks a lot as well, I've noticed it gets very confusing.

One final question, does anyone know whether the quickest way to get to Monash during peak our from the Northern Suburbs is Burke Road or Eastlink?

 

[Mr Reliable]

Thank a lot for all the help guys, it really is appreciated.

Mr. R, thanks a lot as well, I've noticed it gets very confusing.

One final question, does anyone know whether the quickest way to get to Monash during peak our from the Northern Suburbs is Burke Road or Eastlink?

Burke Road is a nightmare during peak period. You wouldn't want to still be on it at Camberwell Junction. Eastlink would be really good, but expensive.

Maybe try Warrigal Road, Blackburn Road or the Eastern Freeway to Springvale Road.

It's a pity to be driving through peak hour traffic when LaTrobe Uni is "just around the corner" from you.

 

[breeno]

Burke Road is a nightmare during peak period. You wouldn't want to still be on it at Camberwell Junction. Eastlink would be really good, but expensive.

Maybe try Warrigal Road, Blackburn Road or the Eastern Freeway to Springvale Road.

It's a pity to be driving through peak hour traffic when LaTrobe Uni is "just around the corner" from you.

Thanks a lot.

I spoke to dad and he thinks we'd be best going through Templestowe to Springvale Road (we're in Greensborough), and take Springvale Road right down to Ferntree Gully.

Either way I wouldn't want to be leaving any later than 7 in the morning.

 

[Rooby_Tuesday]

Breeno - I did arts (major in history and languages) at Monash some time ago (prob finished just before you were born - eek!). Arts degrees are good because they teach you how to write and think logically, and how to research stuff. All useful for later down the track. The other thing to consider is that you can always do a Masters to refine your choices further once finish and start working. So I did a Grad Dip in International Business once I'd started working and realised that business/marketing interested me. The main thing is to choose something that you enjoy and are passionate about, as you probably won't get very far doing something you are not interested in.

 

[breeno]

Breeno - I did arts (major in history and languages) at Monash some time ago (prob finished just before you were born - eek!). Arts degrees are good because they teach you how to write and think logically, and how to research stuff. All useful for later down the track. The other thing to consider is that you can always do a Masters to refine your choices further once finish and start working. So I did a Grad Dip in International Business once I'd started working and realised that business/marketing interested me. The main thing is to choose something that you enjoy and are passionate about, as you probably won't get very far doing something you are not interested in.

I really enjoy the school life so teaching looks like a viable option.

I'm looking at the Arts/Education degree at Monash, apparently it will allow me to major (psychology) and minor in two disciplines (history and english) whilst doing the extra year for the teaching qualifications.

My careers counsellor then suggested that I can do my Masters in Psych part time whilst teaching, which would be fantastic.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Twinkletoes]

I spoke to dad and he thinks we'd be best going through Templestowe to Springvale Road (we're in Greensborough), and take Springvale Road right down to Ferntree Gully.

I grew up in Tempy breeno and your dad's on the money, as is Mr R. Once you've ventured down Main Rd onto Fitzsimons Lane and crossed the bridge into Templestowe you have multiple options to use heading South to Monash Uni........Springvale Rd, Blackburn Rd, Middleborough Rd (which becomes Stephenson Rd). You can turn into Waverley Rd from all of those and then turn into Forster Rd, which is a relatively traffic free journey into the back entrance of Monash Uni's Clayton Campus. http://maps.google.com.au/?ie=UTF8&ll=-37.89863,145.140209&spn=0.034745,0.076904&z=14

You'll be fine if you do go there, once you're able to predict your journey time.

 

[breeno]

Thanks a lot TT, it's appreciated mate.

 

[see see]

Thanks a lot.

I spoke to dad and he thinks we'd be best going through Templestowe to Springvale Road (we're in Greensborough), and take Springvale Road right down to Ferntree Gully.

Either way I wouldn't want to be leaving any later than 7 in the morning.

I was going to suggest that you steer well clear of studying law, as the overwhelming majority of lawyers are self-involved flogs (with the exception of major projects lawyers - all top blokes IMHO). However, one of the upsides of studying a law degree is that it entails bugger all contact hours and, as a rule, very few morning lectures. This should enable you to dispense with the necessity to hit the road early and would free up valuable time for more important pursuits, such as sleeping off hangovers and doing the walk of shame from the shared house of the previous evening's uni bar hook up.

Another upside to studying law is the fact that it's p*ss easy. It's essentially all rote learning. Apply the slightest modicum of critical thinking and, hey presto, you've got yourself an honours degree.

Anyway, good luck with it all and enjoy the journey (that's in a more philosophical sense, not the journey along Springy Rd).

 

[Twinkletoes]

This should enable you to dispense with the necessity to hit the road early and would free up valuable time for more important pursuits, such as sleeping off hangovers and doing the walk of shame from the shared house of the previous evening's uni bar hook up.

Ha. One of my mates, who graduated from Monash with a Law degree (took him 10 years mind you) is best remembered by his fellow alumni as "The Iron Bong Champion" 3 years running, which was an annual event held at The Notting Hill pub. Student priorities eh?

 

[see see]

Ha. One of my mates, who graduated from Monash with a Law degree (took him 10 years mind you) is best remembered by his fellow alumni as "The Iron Bong Champion" 3 years running, which was an annual event held at The Notting Hill pub. Student priorities eh?

Very impressive effort. Hope he put it on his CV.

 

[breeno]

Sorry to pester you guys again, but does anyone know if we get our subject councellors for University once we get into the degree, or if we can get in contact with them just for a general outline of what a degree would entail?

 

[hilly]

Most university websites will provide information on degrees (such as compulsory subjects, major streams of study etc).

In the 2nd instance, I'd give the relevant academic school a phone call.

 

[Twinkletoes]

Very impressive effort. Hope he put it on his CV.

Dunno if he did or not (I suspect not) but the fact he's now a painter may suggest he did..............although to be fair to the bloke, he owns and operates a house painting company which deals exclusively with the Brighton/Toorak mansion set, so he's well and truly fallen on his feet...........whether stoned or not.

 

[wombles]

Breeno,

Bare in mind what Mr R said - too many voices will confuse. Follow your interests.

That said, I'll add my opinion to the confusion!

If you are looking at Law I'd be aiming at Monash if you want to do it as an undergraduate and or Melbourne if you want to do a general degree first and then law. Melb no longer offers undergraduate law. Law, Med, Eng etc...all of the "professional" courses require that you have a undergraduate qualification in something else. Melb has reshaped itself into an American style system.

Also, as someone who has recently been through the legal recruiting rat race I can tell you that while it is true if you have good marks and you're personable you'll do well regardless. But, a Melbourne or Monash degree is a massive leg up - it is pretty well known by legal HR types that good marks are harder to come by at the two oldies.

Good luck.

Also, when did ENTER become ATAR?