Last year’s year 12 Wagga students are going places as many are preparing to leave the city after accepting university courses elsewhere.
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It was a nervous wait for 18-year-old Theo Heinjus, who accepted a first-round university offer in Victoria last week, following his graduation from Mater Dei Catholic College.
“HSC results were released on December 13, so a lot of students got early acceptance and course offers in NSW and ACT universities just a week later,” Mr Heinjus said.
“I went through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre so I had a bit more of a wait, which was weird as I saw a lot of my peers being offered places into their dream courses and being really happy.
“I had early entry in other courses, so I knew that I would at least get one offer but it was a bit nerve-racking and I constantly checked my emails and phone.”
Mr Heinjus was offered a first-round place into a Bachelor of Applied Science and Master of Podiatry Practice at LaTrobe University in Melbourne’s north, on January 16.
“It was constantly running through my mind, whether I did well enough in my exams to get to where I want and at the end of the day, HSC is tough and it sucks but Year 12 was good fun,” he said.
“It’s a fair way from home and a bit of a change from a country kid to the big smoke, but we’ll see how it goes.
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet, to be honest, it’s a little surreal but I think once I start to pack everything up and head down, I think it’ll get real pretty quickly.”
Enjoying his sports and being outdoors, Mr Heinjus said the health industry sparked his interest as he undertook work experience at the Active Foot Clinic in Wagga.
“I did a bit of experience as a physiotherapist, podiatrist and as an occupational therapist, but my days spent at the Active Foot Clinic were pretty enjoyable and made me want to do this as a career,” he said.
Mr Heinjus said he will make the move down on February 10 to “settle in” and find his “bearings” before classes start on March 4.
“Canberra and Wollongong are pretty much the two places which Wagga graduates move to, but I wanted to move away to meet new people,” he said.
Wagga High School’s dux Brad Li has been offered a scholarship at the Australian National University in Canberra.
A high-achiever, from The Riverina Anglican College, Elise Jay accepted an early university offer in a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) at Wollongong University, on October 16.
Mr Heinjus’ peer Luke Manning deferred his course offer at ANU and said he intends to work full-time, but is “excited to move away from Wagga when it’s time”.