Michael Issa
Prepare, practise, plan, revise. We are taught that these habits are all vital to success, especially when it comes to your final year of school study.
But sometimes a last minute approach is the winning method. This is what happened to first year Bachelor of Biomedicine student Michael Issa, when he found out about the Biomedicine scholarships the day before applications closed.
"Luckily, my careers teacher found out and told me just in time!" he laughs.
As a scholarship recipient Michael will receive $6,000 a year for the duration of the undergraduate course, to pay for his fees, travel or to take the financial pressure off while studying.
You might think that studying hard enough to get an ENTER of 99.85 would leave little time for extra curricular activities. But hearing Michael reel off his myriad of interests was proof that balancing study and a vibrant social life is possible.
"I edited the school yearbook, captained a few sports teams – soccer, tennis, played piano in concerts, I also play indoor soccer with mates which is a great release" he says.
It was this diverse range of interests that made Michael an ideal candidate for the scholarship, which requires applicants to show involvement in community and leadership, in addition to excelling academically.
He says the transition from school to uni has been a little eye opening.
"It's definitely different – there's no spoon feeding, you need to be self motivated and be able to explore open ended questions, in addition to specific questions."
But, he adds, there's a clear upside to studying at University.
"You get such an advanced knowledge – you only scratch the surface at school, this kind of learning is more exciting."
And the all important social life at uni wins points too; Michael has joined the University Sports and loves going to the gym with mates and is polishing up his party tricks as a member of the Magician's Society.
He has also applied to work with Conservation Volunteers Australia, looking at environmental sustainability; through the University's Leadership, Involvement, Volunteer and Experience (LIVE) Unit.
Michael is expanding his study horizons with the breadth subject 'Managing People and Organisations,' a marketing subject in the Commerce Faculty.
"It's very different – looking at people instead of numbers like we so often are in science subjects. But that's the aim of doing a subject from a different discipline. It's a good change and will probably also help in future employment in the health field."
Down the track Michael hopes to get in to neurology and eventually surgery and neurosurgery. But there's no doubt he'll be having plenty of fun along the way.
2010 Biomedicine Scholarships
Five domestic undergraduate scholarships will be available in 2010 for commencing Bachelor of Biomedicine students with an ENTER (or equivalent) of 99.85 or above. hese scholarships will be to the value of $6,000 per annum for three years. Find out more on how to apply.