Good things to come…
I haven’t written in a while, mostly because I have been planning things and waiting until I know for sure what is going to happen. Did not want to say, “I am going to do this and that” and then end up not doing it. I have already done that on this blog, heh.
I have been doing a horticultural course since May. One of the classes within that is called Wider Opportunities for Work, which has been helping us get our resumes up to date, a portfolio started, etc. I have already done a lot of that so I have had time to think of other things. In the week before we went on holidays, everyone in our class went on a type of excursion to a Careers Expo near where I live. Right inside the doors were booths/displays/stalls for universities. I saw written on the wall “Behavioural Science” behind the University of Notre Dame desk. So I went over and picked up information on this course. I saw almost straight away that it would be difficult to get into that university but I couldn’t stop thinking about that course because it is very interesting to me. However, when I was at work the previous week, I picked up a flier about Murdoch University’s Ontrack Program. I thought nothing of it except to show my lecturer at TAFE to see if she knew about it. A classmate who sat next to me also showed interest (and wants to apply next year for it). The lecturer said she already had that particular flier so I just put the one I had back into my folder and forgot about it until a few days later when I looked up university entrance requirements online.
Two choices: Pay to sit the STAT (Special Tertiary Admissions Test), which if I failed, I wouldn’t be able to take it again until the next year and there would be money wasted. Or, apply for the Ontrack program at Murdoch University and if I got in and if I completed it and if I had high enough grades, apply to do an undergraduate course in psychology which is to me the next best thing to Behavioual Science and is very interesting in and of itself.
I downloaded and printed out the Ontrack application form, filled it out, wrote two pages about myself (!) , my LAC generously signed the form and I got all the relevant paperwork together. I put it all in a folder, made a appointment to hand the application in and then went and did just that. A person named Tania took my application and directed me to do a small writing exercise on the Grameen Banking System in Bangladesh. Of all things. But now I know something new and I appreciate it. Tania was very nice and put me at ease as I was quite nervous. It was a kind of adrenaline rush for me to just go and do something like that.
I waited two weeks for application closing date and then two more tense days to find out whether I was successful or not. A person (I forget her name) rang on Thursday to offer me a place in the Ontrack Program. Yay!!! First person I rang about it was Mum.
Ontrack Program:
Targeting people who can demonstrate educational disruption due to family, financial, social, physical, medical, disability or other circumstances. Applications are also open to those living in rural or remote locations, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, and women who are keen to study in one of the University’s Engineering courses.
The program will also be of interest to mature-aged students living in Rockingham, Mandurah and surrounding areas who have not studied at university level. People who have been unemployed for longer than six months are particularly encouraged to apply.
The course consists of three modules which develop generic skills, knowledge and values required for successful university learning. The OnTrack course offers people the opportunity to become familiar with life on a university campus. Students who require support in English as a Second Language will receive additional tutoring.
http://www.murdoch.edu.au/handbook/courses/52118
So this is something I definitely know I will be starting. First day is 7th August. 
__________________________
New word: ansible -
An ansible is a hypothetical machine capable of superluminal communication and used as a plot device in science fiction literature.
-Wikipedia.
Filed by renaeden at July 26th, 2008 under Random/Daily Stuff.