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LEAVING home to begin university at 17 or 18 is a move that goes against the grain for today’s VCE students in Warrnambool.
Of 2014’s graduating year 12s, just 25 per cent of about 300 surveyed began bachelor degrees, compared with 53 per cent across Victoria.
Warrnambool’s Ryan Arscott, who graduated from Emmanuel College last week, is one in that minority.
The 17-year-old has a conditional offer to enrol at Bendigo’s LaTrobe University in a Bachelor of Science.
He expects the course will begin a seven or eight-year path towards a specialised medical qualification.
“I have changed my mind many times over the years,” he said.
“I considered a gap year, but looking at the length of my course, I didn’t think it would be the best option because I’d be getting out of uni at an older age than what I would hope.”
Ryan said the vast majority of his classmates were at least considering a gap year.
While most students who defer a university offer end up studying, Ryan is conscious of the risks of going a year without the routine of education.
“Some people just want to have a break and stop for a year to relax and enjoy not having the demands of school,” Ryan said.
“I’ve heard from some people who had a gap year that just had no interest to go on and study anymore.
“They lost the motivation to continue and lost the study habits they learnt in year 12.”
Without an additional year of employment, Ryan’s plan to immediately begin university study has meant he’s already started saving money for his move away from home.
“I’m planning on spending it on the course costs and just working in Bendigo to achieve my accommodation and living costs,” he said.
“I’ve got emergency money saved but most of the money I’ll need to survive will be through work.”