Five changes your teen will experience after Year 12

Five changes your teen will experience after Year 12

That exciting ‘leaving the nest’ moment is finally here. Here's what you can expect.

That exciting ‘leaving the nest’ moment is finally here. Here's what you can expect.

That exciting ‘leaving the nest’ moment is finally here. Here's what you can expect.

Starting tertiary studies after Year 12 can be daunting for both you and your teen. There is a whole new set of acronyms, a newfound independence and new ways of learning for you both to get your heads around. We’ve summed up the most important changes to keep in mind, so your teenager has a head start into the next chapter of their life. 

Two students standing in front of a holosense machine

1. Increased independence

The first major difference between school and university is that students are required to learn independently. There won’t be calls to parents for not attending lectures or chasing homework and assignments. Staying on top of subject assessments will be completely up to students to manage, and time management skills will be important to manage priorities across university life, part-time jobs, and social activities.  

RMIT offers a range of study support services for students that might be finding this transition challenging, including personalised assessment help, peer mentoring and wellbeing support.   

2. Different contact hours

Whilst the time spent in class may vary from course to course, the average student spends around 12 – 20 hours a week at uni or TAFE. This could mean that students are there for two or three days of the week, which can feel like a blessing compared to the structured timetables of most secondary schools. Classes generally start closer to March, and finish in November or early December.  

3. New travel opportunities

University is a great time for your teen to experience the world and take advantage of global study opportunities. RMIT offers dozens of different exchanges, internships and study tour programs across Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania and North and South America.  

Through RMIT, your teen could be trekking through Vietnam’s rice fields on an exchange, taking a fashion intensive class at LIM College in New York, or immersing themselves in the beauty of Mexico to learn Spanish. Study tours and exchanges all count towards their study credit, and there’s a lot of loans and scholarships available.  

For Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) student Victoria Wan, putting classroom theory into action overseas was the best way to learn.  

"I participated in two accredited international projects. One was around a small island in Fiji, assessing the marine biodiversity in a locally managed marine area, in contrast to one of no protection.   

“I also ventured to Costa Rica to assist with the ongoing long-term monitoring of sea turtles and the subsequent collection of developmental data.  

“These opportunities allowed me to experience some of the challenges faced in field research, while adapting to a foreign work environment."  

4. Experiences in clubs and societies

Your teen’s high school may have sports teams and a few clubs, but they haven’t seen anything until they’re at university or TAFE. With everything from a Snow Sports club to an RMIT Movie Club, to the Funkadelics dance club and French club, RMIT supports 50+ clubs and societies where your teen can meet countless likeminded people. There is even peer-to-peer support through RMIT Kirrip if your teen is looking to connect and get assistance from other students.  

Beyond the ability to network for their future career, making friends through student clubs can make your teens tertiary experience so much more than educational. When you see them surrounded by students that may become their lifelong friends, you’ll know they’re in the right place.  

“The highlight of my learning experience at RMIT was undoubtedly the connections I made with other students through clubs, and the opportunity to network with various industry professionals at events held by student associations,” said Bachelor of Business student Ivy Kioko.  

5. Next level learning

Through high school work experience or practical classes, your teen may have had the chance to undertake some hands-on learning, but at university and TAFE, their learning experience will be dialled up to 11.  

Tertiary education prepares students for their future careers, so they’ll be working on projects and assessments designed to give them essential skills and training for their future career.  

At RMIT this means they get to take advantage of state-of-the-art facilities designed specifically for their study area. For example, media students will find themselves in a live broadcast control room on-campus, and engineering students will be working in advanced labs with cutting edge tech around every corner.  

RMIT’s focus on Work-Integrated Learning gives your teen the chance to undertake internship and work experience opportunities as part of their course. These opportunities will advance their learning, but also give them a chance to make valuable industry connections before they have even begun their career. 

Story: Jacob Johnston

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torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

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