Still unsure if university is for you or if it’s worth it? As someone who is the first person in your family to consider university, we understand that you may have some uncertainties and self-doubt about what university is all about. Take a moment to find out why university is worth it directly from other first in family students who have experienced the university journey first hand.

1. 4 reasons
whyuniversityisworthit.
Hear it from current and past USQ students.

2. Being the first in your family to study at university, you’re likely to
encounter a variety of emotions and self-doubt about study.
Current and past USQ students share their stories and experiences and
these 4 reasons will reassure you that undertaking university study is worth it.

3. You’ll gain increased self-confidence and self-growth
Not only is your knowledge base growing through
study, but so are you!
You’re able to learn new things in classes, but there
are so many transferrable skills that university courses
can teach you.
Take it from fellow first in family students, Ben
and Andrea, the uni journey boasts the benefits of
increased self-confidence and overall self-growth!
Source: Ward, L, Siegel, M & Davenport, Z 2012, First Generation College Students, Jossey-Bass, United States, viewed 27
July 2016, <http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy.usq.edu.au/lib/unisouthernqld/reader.action?docID=10580269&ppg=5>.
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4. Since commencing study, I have felt empowered
and more confident sharing my understanding of
various topics with colleagues and friends, when
previously I might have felt out of my depth and
less willing to take part in those discussions.
- Ben, Master of Business Administration

5. I’m the first to admit that I was really lost when I
started my studies, but the more I’ve learnt, the
more confident I’ve become in what I’m studying,
who I am as a person and what my skills and
talents are. I think there’s always a few twists and
turns in everybody’s journey through uni, but you
learn so much about yourself along the way.
- Andrea, Bachelor of Communication

6. You’re working towards a stronger future
No matter what originally motivates you to go to
university, study will expand your career options and
better your opportunities for success in your industry
of choice.
Did you know, USQ is the #1 university in Queensland
for graduates in full-time employment?*
*Graduate Destinations Survey, 2012-2014
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7. You feel guilty, but then you think, ‘hang on, I’m
doing this so that we can have a better life.’
- Roslyn, Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Business

8. At the end of the day, if you don’t do it, no-one else
is going to do it. You’re the only person who can.
- Ricky, Bachelor of General Education Studies

9. UNIVERSITY IS WORTH IT

10. You’ll have long-term benefits
Not only are you expanding your career options, but
you’re also increasing your earning capacity!
An undergraduate qualification can increase your
earning potential by more than $1 million over
your lifetime*.
*Cullen, S 2012, ‘Uni graduates likely to earn $1m more over lifetime’, ABC, 24 October, viewed 3 August 2016,
<http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-24/uni-graduates-likely-to-earn-one-million-more-over-lifetime/4330506>.
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11. No matter what your trouble is, there’s always
a way to make it work. You don’t need to struggle
by yourself, there’s always someone
who can help you.
- Tammy, Bachelor of Commerce

12. I wasn’t going to let any circumstance I faced
inhibit my desire to complete uni…
my friends and family helped keep me true to
myself. I can honestly say that studying at uni has
been an incredible experience and while it’s not
quite over, I feel I have already come so far
compared to the person I was when I started.
- Mitch, Bachelor of Commerce

13. You’re taking the lead
Being the first in your family to attend university
makes you a leader. You’re opening doors for
your loved ones to follow*. Chances are they are
much more informed about now, and potentially
considering study themselves!
Source: O’Shea, S 2015, Filling up silences – first in family students, capital and university talk in the home’, International
Journal of Lifelong Education, vol. 34, no. 2, viewed 27 July 2016, <http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02601370.
2014.980342>.
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14. As a younger sibling, I cannot thank my sister
enough for going to university, as it allowed me
to feel confident in pursuing tertiary studies and
it was a great feeling to know that someone else
had experienced what I was going through.
- Katie, second in family to attend university

15. My family struggled to see the big
picture in the beginning, but now they
can, so it was worth it in the end.
- Michelle, Bachelor of Nursing

16. UNIVERSITY IS WORTH IT
If you’re still unsure about what you’ll get out
of your uni degree, have a chat to one of our
friendly SROs or check out other first in family
student experiences on USQ’s Social Hub!
CRICOS: QLD00244B NSW02225M TEQSA: PRV12081 31.2.6 08.2016 Graphics © Shutterstock Photos © USQ Online Marketing
social.usq.edu.au/fif
The First in Family Project (Phase 2) is funded through the Commonwealth Government’s Higher Education Participation Program (HEPP) in 2016,
to improve the access, participation and success of students from communities under-represented in higher education.