Where am I going next?

As I come to the end of my Big Picture journey, I am now looking ahead to the next stage of my life, where I hope to continue learning, challenging myself in new ways and pursue a future focused in supporting and making a difference in the lives of others. 

What am I interested in studying?

Since joining Big Picture, my interests have grown into a broader space, and opened my eyes to the opportunities to grow and develop that come with studying at university. I have decided the fields I am interested to study at university include: 

  • Community Welfare
  • Social Science
  • Nursing
  • Human Development Studies

I am drawn to these areas of study because I am interested in helping people, understanding their experiences, and wanting to help them. I truly want to make a difference. Through Big Picture I have explored a range of topics in the social sciences, psychology, and community welfare space. 

These experiences have helped me develop a deeper understanding of the challenges people can face throughout different stages of there lives. Human Development Studies particularly interests me because it would allow me to further explore how people develop, how their experiences influence them, and how different social environmental factors can shape their lives. 

I am also interested in Community Welfare and Social Science because of my passion for advocacy and supporting individuals and communities. Nursing interests me because it combines healthcare with direct, meaningful interactions with people. Ultimately, I hope to pursue a career where I can use my knowledge, experiences, and passion for helping others make meaningful difference in people's lives. 

Why have my experiences led to this?

My experiences throughout school, work, and my Big Picture journey have played a significant role in shaping what I would like to study at university. Through my projects, I have had the opportunity to explore topics that genuinely interest me, including domestic violence, mental health, misconceptions about people with ASD, ongoing impacts of trauma, accessibility, and the experiences of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people. These projects have helped me understand the importance of supporting individuals and advocating for people who may experience barriers or disadvantage. 

My personal experiences have also influenced my interest in understanding people and the different challenges they can face throughout their lives. Working in aged care has given me first-hand experience supporting and interacting with others, while my own experiences have encouraged me  to become more aware of the importance of dignity, accessibility, communication, and inclusion. 

These experiences have led me towards areas such as Community Welfare, Social Science, Nursing and Human Development Studies. Each of these fields would allow me to build on the interests and skills I have developed throughout my education while continuing to work with, support, and understand people. I am particularly excited about the possibility of studying in a field where I can combine my passion for helping others with my interests in social issues, healthcare, human development and advocacy. 

How has Big Picture made me independent?

My experience in the Big Picture Program has prepared me for the independent responsibility required at university. Since starting Big Picture in Year 9, I have had to take responsibility of my learning, manage my own projects, set goals, meet deadlines, and take complete responsibility of the direction my work. Rather than being given every step, I have learned how to idenitfy areas that interest me, develop my own ideas, conduct rteasearch, and seek support when I need it. 

My Year 12 projects have particularly strengthened my ability to work independently. I have completed research-based projects exploring mental health and accessibility. These projects have required me to organuse large amounts of information, communicate with mentors and professionals, and continye working through challenges when I become stuck or fall behind. 

Big Picture has taught me that independent learning does not mean doing everything alone. It has taught me how to take responsibility for my own learning while knowing when to ask questions, seek feedbac, and use the people and resources around me. I believe these skills will be extremely valuable as I transition to university and take on a greater level on independent study. 

What universities have I attended to?

Through my senior years of school, I have tekn opportunities to learn more about univeristy ad what life beyond school looks like. Visiting and experiencing university environments has heloed me understand what to expect from higher education and has allowed me to think more carefuly about whar areas I would like to study. 

These experiences have given me the opportunity to explore different university environmemts, learn about potential courses and career pathways, and understand the expectationa that come with university study. They have also heloed me become more confident about making decisons regarding my future and what I would want it to look like. 

I have been the University of Wollongong Discovery Days, where I explored what Nursing courses, Psychology courses and Social Work courses look like, it was incredibly insightful and informal whihc mad me want to go there, I have also explored parts o fNewcastle University to see what the campus looks like.