6 reasons to stay local for uni in 2021

COVID-19 restrictions have brought a lot of changes to how life, study and work look. And there’s still a lot of uncertainty about what’s to come. Social distancing is likely to be part of our everyday life for the next little while.  

So, if you’re finishing year 12 in 2020, where does that leave your tertiary study plans for 2021? 

Staying local for your tertiary studies has a lot going for it right now. If you’re finishing high school in the Northern Territory, here’s why going to uni in Darwin next year is a good choice.  

1. Stay close to your support network  

Your existing relationships, whether with friends or family, are key to your safety and wellbeing. Keeping some things stable is a pretty smart strategy to deal with all the changes you’re facing right now. 

Does that mean you should put your life on hold and see what happens? Quite the opposite.

You can take full advantage of the opportunities available to you closer to home, while still benefiting from the support of your close ones.  

With the buzz of the Territory social scene back quicker than other places, you’ll also be able to take advantage of the social opportunities uni life promises. And if things change yet again, you’ve still got your existing network to stay connected with. Win win. 

2. Flexibility when you need it most 

It’s hard to predict what study and work will look like in the next year or two. The best thing you can do is choose flexible study options so you can easily adapt. For example, it’s probably wise to avoid the limitations of long-term leases in a city you don’t know well. You may also want to choose an education provider that allows you to switch between online and in-person study, so you can work and earn while you learn. 

At CDU, you can choose from more than 100 degrees and VET courses. Depending on your course, you can switch between online and on campus study, and study part time or full time.  

3. Save money 

It’s no secret that the pandemic has temporarily put the brakes on the global economy, but it’s definitely not the time to press pause on your education. You can bet on one thing: education is still one of the smartest investments you can make in yourself and in your future. Be strategic with your choices though. 

There are many ways to save money while you study and staying closer to home is an obvious one right now.

You could be saving on accommodation (by living with your folks or paying less rent than in the bigger cities), on transport, on socialising, and even on tuition fees. 

On top of that, you may have a better chance of getting a job and earning money during uni if you stay local, instead of entering a busy job market in a new city where you have no contacts.  

As a CDU student, you’ll have access to the Careers and Employment Service for advice on building your career and finding a job.  

4. Start building your professional networks 

In a competitive job market, it's often better to stay where you have existing contacts and networks. Take advantage of your local x-factor.  

The skills you develop during your VET or uni degree are important, but how you connect to put those skills to practice is what will define your success. Tapping into your existing contacts for internships and attending industry events are a good way to start growing your professional network.  

Post-uni you will thank you. 

5. Access dozens of scholarships 

A lot of things have changed since scholarships meant academic excellence only, including how we define excellence. For a CDU scholarship, your ATAR ranking is important, but it’s definitely not the only important thing. 

Your passions, interests, background and circumstances can all play a part in your scholarship eligibility.

Be sure to check every CDU scholarship opportunity. (Plus, read these eight tips to ace your scholarship application).  

6. Travel while you study 

You may have pictured uni life as the start of adventures away from home. Spoiler alert: staying local for uni doesn’t mean the end of all those dreams. If anything, your options for experiencing the world only get better. At CDU, you can plan to study abroad at one of 40 partners universities across the globe and get some travel in your experience bag and some global connections to add to your network.  

Plenty of great reasons to stay local, right?  

Explore more than 100 tertiary study options at CDU. And, if you still have questions, our Student Central team are your best uni-planning friends. They are super knowledgeable, helpful and friendly and they might be able to untangle your uni worries. Give them a call on 1800 061 963, email study@cdu.edu.au or request a call.