Category: Your Stories

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Meet the 2026 Academic Excellence Scholarship Recipients

A Distinction is an achievement worth celebrating but what if your academic excellence could be recognised in an even more meaningful way? Since 2019, the University of Newcastle has awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Academic Excellence Scholarships. Sponsored by our Vice-Chancellor, these scholarships celebrate and support academically outstanding students who have already commenced their studies.  Our university appreciates your hard work, persistence, dedication, and sustained effort to … Continue reading Meet the 2026 Academic Excellence Scholarship Recipients

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Your Stories – Meet Milos

Name: Milos O’Donohue  Degree: Bachelor of Business / Business Analytics  Why did you decide to do Business?  I always knew I liked business, and I wanted to study it because I have so many interests and didn’t know where I wanted to go. But then I realised you can monetise anything. So, all my friends were telling me to come study engineering, I really wanted … Continue reading Your Stories – Meet Milos

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How I survived health challenges while studying

In 2023, I was a first-year student studying a Bachelor of Visual Communication Design. I started university relatively late, enrolling at the age of 23. At first, I felt somewhat behind my peers. After all, most people my age were already in their third or fourth year. However, as a self-confessed ‘overachiever’, I soon found myself enjoying the challenge of trying to ‘catch up’ to … Continue reading How I survived health challenges while studying

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Beyond R U OK? Day: How to have meaningful conversations about mental health

R U OK? Day is a National Day of Action in September, organised by the suicide prevention charity R U OK? to raise awareness of mental health and the importance of asking those around you if they are okay, encouraging more meaningful conversations. The charity’s mission is to guide people on when and how to ask, “Are you okay?”, how to handle what could become … Continue reading Beyond R U OK? Day: How to have meaningful conversations about mental health

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Your Stories – Meet John

 Name: John Edwards  Degree: Master of Teaching (Secondary)  How have you found your degree so far?  It’s been pretty difficult to keep up with the workload so far. Because this is more of a condensed one-and-a-half-year course, it’s very demanding in terms of the amount of information you need to process learn and cover. But I find what’s being learned is incredibly useful, and I … Continue reading Your Stories – Meet John

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My journey as a neurodivergent student

Every student at our university has a story. Some are similar, and some are unique or different. Our stories are shared for those to enjoy, even relate to, and learn from. This story dives into my experience as a neurodivergent student.   To introduce myself, my name is Ella. I am 21 years old and in my first year of university. I am currently studying a … Continue reading My journey as a neurodivergent student

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Your Stories – Meet Indiana

Name: Indiana   Degree: Bachelor of Media and Communications (Public Relations and News Media)  Why did you choose your degree?   I find storytelling and video production really interesting. I am curious and I love listening to other people’s stories. I also love helping people and putting a smile on their faces. My dream is to be the voice of people and make a positive impact, especially … Continue reading Your Stories – Meet Indiana

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Your Stories – Meet Teola

Name: Teola Degree: Joint Medical Program  Why did you choose to study medicine?  I come from Zimbabwe and we don’t have a universal healthcare system. I was born in a rural community and growing up, I witnessed the disparities and poor healthcare system. Even my entry into this world is a testament to that challenge. When my mum was in labour, my parents tried so … Continue reading Your Stories – Meet Teola

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Your Stories – Meet Cheryl

Name: Chan Yik Wa (Cheryl)  Degree: Bachelor of Communications majoring in Public Relations and Advertising (Currently on exchange)  Why did you choose the University of Newcastle?   The University of Newcastle has flexible entry requirements for international students and it has unique courses that are not offered by other universities. Courses like performing arts, music production and sound production. It is very rare to have such … Continue reading Your Stories – Meet Cheryl

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50 Years-50 Stories of Open Foundation 

As a previous Open Foundation student, it is a privilege to showcase the program and its impact. If you are a current or former Enabling Pathways student, chances are it has had a profound effect on your life. Open Foundation is commemorating 50 years of education through two events: the Winter Ball and the 50 Years-50 Stories exhibition.  I had the opportunity to speak with … Continue reading 50 Years-50 Stories of Open Foundation 

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Why I almost dropped out of uni.

I never wanted to come to university. In my eyes, it was a privilege for the ‘elite’. A place where families with lots of money sent their kids. Kids who won awards at school so they could become world class doctors and lawyers. Not for kids like me who fail year twelve maths.  Nobody in my family had completed a degree, so I didn’t really … Continue reading Why I almost dropped out of uni.

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