Georgia ready to dive into the deep end

Ballina’s Georgia Quinn has decided to study one of her passions at Southern Cross University this year.

Georgia, who completed her Higher School Certificate at Xavier Catholic College, Skennars Head, in 2011, has accepted an offer to study a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science. She has also received an SCU scholarship.

Sport, in particular running and swimming, is a major passion for the 18-year-old but playing the piano and music run a close second.

Georgia scored 94.85 in her ATAR results and selected Southern Cross University as her first preference citing the accessible location as one of her main reasons for studying at SCU.

“I didn’t really want to leave home and this way I can keep living in Ballina and travel to Lismore for uni,” she said.

“Also, my brother went to SCU and he had a great time, he really enjoyed it. I’ve also gone to a few study days at Lismore and the facilities are up to date.”

Being able to stay at home and study will also mean Georgia can continue working for her father, Francis, who runs learn to swim, stroke correction and squad training at the Ballina Memorial Pool.

In the meantime, the talented teenager is preparing to head to Sydney for Encore , an annual showcase of high-performing HSC music students. Georgia scored 97 out of 100 for music in the HSC.

“I was just so happy with my HSC marks,” she said.

“I was hoping to get about 85 so I’m very happy, but I also worked very hard every day to get there. I was really determined to do well to achieve the best score I could.

“A lot of my friends are moving away for uni and I don’t know that many people at SCU, which will be very different to school because we were pretty close knit. But I’m kind of excited about meeting new people.”

While Georgia selected Southern Cross University as her first preference, there is still time for other students to change their preferences despite main round offers having been issued for both NSW and Queensland tertiary institutions.

Changing preferences once an offer round is completed enables an applicant to compete for a different place at university, especially if they are still undecided about the course or destination that is right for them.

For UAC, the next round of offers will be Wednesday February 1, with the change of preferences closing on January 25. The last round will be finalised on February 8, with the change of preferences closing on February 2.

For QTAC, the next and last round of offers is February 9, with the change of preferences needed to be completed by February 2. Further information on changing preferences is available on the UAC and QTAC websites listed below. If an applicant proceeds with an offer and changes their mind once they get to Southern Cross University they can lodge an application to ‘Course transfer’.

Meanwhile, Southern Cross University is gearing up for orientation which marks the beginning of university life for new students. Orientation activities, including campus tours and social events, are designed to smooth the transition into university and provide information for students to fully prepare themselves for the start of classes.

Orientation activities at Southern Cross University start from February 15 and run for three weeks across the three campuses, allowing all students the opportunity to engage in important academic support sessions. For all orientation schedules head to www.scu.edu.au/orientation

UAC change of preference information http://www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/check-change/ You can't change preferences by phone or fax, it must be done online QTAC change of preference information www.qtac.edu.au/ Change of Preferences can only be done through 'Current Applicant Online Services' Photo: Georgia Quinn.