There is no one way to go to uni. The journey is different for everyone. You might have planned to come to uni straight after high school or after having a gap year (or two!). You might not have ever thought you would come to uni. Whatever your journey is, it’s never too late to begin a new chapter. University pathways could be the start of yours.

Pathway programs are designed to bridge the gap between life and uni and help you transition into study. 

Oscar Cameron is living proof of that. After leaving high school before his final exams to start an apprenticeship, Oscar didn’t think that he would end up at uni.  

In this piece you’ll learn how the pathway programs at Charles Sturt helped Oscar get accepted into his course, feel more confident about starting uni and what inspired him to take the leap. 

Meet Oscar  

Oscar Cameron decided to leave high school before completing his final exams because he didn’t think that uni was in his future. Little did he know that today he would be two years into his Bachelor of Education (K to 12) degree at Charles Sturt.  

At the time, I never imagined university would be part of my future. Throughout school, I struggled to concentrate, preferred practical learning and often found it difficult to engage with classroom content. I genuinely believed school just wasn’t for me.

Not completing the HSC didn’t stop Oscar. When he decided to continue his education, he explored university pathways that could help him take the next step.

The university pathway courses were honestly the perfect way to prepare me for university. Having been out of formal education since 2020, jumping straight into a bachelor’s degree would have been overwhelming. Rather than being thrown into the deep end, the pathway programs gradually built my confidence and gave me the skills I needed to succeed.

What are university pathway programs?

Pathway programs are designed to bridge the gap between mature-age or non-school leavers’ abilities and confidence. They’ll help you succeed and get you into your dream uni course.  

Oscar completed two enabling courses with Charles Sturt: Access Charles Sturt Entry Course and an Undergraduate Certificate in University Preparation. 

These courses help prepare you with study skills and tools to excel in your course. Successful completion of the undergraduate certificate even provides you with guaranteed entry into a wide range of Charles Sturt courses. You’ll even enter with credit – so you have a head start. 

They helped me improve my academic writing, understand university expectations, learn how to reference correctly and become comfortable using online learning platforms and technology.

Pathway programs at Charles Sturt are built for people like Oscar who didn’t receive an ATAR, and mature-age students who haven’t studied in a while. It will give you important foundational skills and support as you transition into university.  

What inspired Oscar to give uni a go  

Oscar tried multiple careers before he found his passion and started his journey to becoming a teacher. When Oscar decided to leave school, he started a cabinetry apprenticeship. After two years, he couldn’t see himself doing that long term, so he moved into an electrical apprenticeship.  

A year into his new career path, he suffered an injury that meant he couldn’t work for an extended period of time – which allowed for a lot of self-reflection.  

That injury became the turning point in my life. During my recovery, I spent a few weeks in Melbourne with friends who were studying at university. Seeing how much they genuinely enjoyed learning, meeting new people and working towards careers they were passionate about made me reflect on my own future. 

Although neither trade ended up being my long-term career, they taught me valuable life skills that I still use every day. They taught me discipline through early mornings, consistency, working hard even when I didn’t feel like it, teamwork, problem-solving and the importance of having a routine. Those habits have been incredibly valuable throughout my university journey. 

Oscar started exploring what degrees and what suited his goals best. That’s when he decided to pursue a career in education.  

Working as a Student Learning Support Officer (SLSO) in high school had a huge impact. Supporting students every day and seeing the positive influence teachers can have made me realise that education wasn’t just something I wanted to study it was something I wanted to dedicate my career to.

Oscar’s advice  

Now three years into studying, including his 12 months of university pathway programs, Oscar wouldn’t change his experience.  

At first, I found it frustrating because I just wanted to get started with my degree. Looking back now, though, I wouldn’t change my pathway at all. That extra year gave me the confidence, skills and study habits I needed to succeed at university. Rather than feeling behind, I now see it as one of the best investments I could have made in my education.

If you didn’t receive an ATAR or are considering a career change and are thinking of enrolling into a course at Charles Sturt, Oscar has some advice for you.  

My biggest piece of advice is not to let one decision or one setback define your future. There are so many different pathways into university, and it’s never too late to start. It won’t always be easy, but it’s achievable if you’re willing to put in the work. 

Why study with Charles Sturt 

If you are someone who might be considering coming to university but didn’t receive an ATAR or haven’t studied in a while, our pathway programs are designed specifically for you. 

They will help you get your head around studying again and give you the tools to excel in whichever course you decide to study.  

If Oscar’s journey has inspired you, you can contact us to see what options are right for you. Every journey is unique, and starting a pathway program might be yours!