It's almost that time of year when high school graduates take a step towards their career and university students return after their long summer break for another year of study.
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But, the decision to undertake tertiary study is not that easy for some - and that is OK.
For Ashleigh Keighley, high school was not for her and she decided to leave at the end of year 10 and begin a hairdressing apprenticeship at TAFE NSW.
Now 23-years-old, the Young resident said the apprenticeship was a "fantastic" experience at the time.
"I had really supportive bosses and got through my apprenticeship which I thought was what I wanted to do, but I realised that when I finished the course, I wanted to go back and study," Ms Keighley said.
"I contacted TAFE NSW in Young and told them I wanted to do a HSC equivalent course through them, which would then set me up to getting into university."
Ms Keighley started a one-year certificate in Tertiary Preparation when she was 20-years-old so that the following year she could start higher education.
"Once I started studying this certificate, I also found that I wanted to go to university and I got into criminology at University of NSW," she said.
"I have just transferred into a law degree which has been my long-term goal."
Ms Keighley has about three years left in studies before she graduates from her degree and said she has no regrets, despite it taking longer than others.
"I'm so happy and I'm exactly where I've been trying to get to for the past four years and I have TAFE NSW to thank for that," she said.
"I have no regrets, because I have been able to get a trade under my belt and it will be with me forever and it's very handy.
"I wouldn't have been ready to do HSC at the time in my life and I've still been given the opportunity to do it when I was ready."
Ms Keighley said it took a "bit of adjusting" to transition from an apprenticeship to a university degree but found living on-campus with other students was the best method to meet like-minded people and gain a support network.
Charles Sturt University's prospective student adviser Hilary Matchett said "it's not always about taking the fastest train, the scenic route is just as good".
"Asking students what they want to be when they grow up is the worst question because it places so much pressure and there’s always plenty of options available to land that dream course,” she said.
“Students should not be afraid to explore and if they aren’t sure, they can start in a broader course like arts, or business and then into something they really like later on."