Welcome to the official CQUniversity Student Blog – CQUniLife. This blog follows the experiences of a diverse group of CQUniversity students from different countries, studying various programs and at various campuses throughout Australia.
Hi, my name is Jorja Wem, and I am a proud Wakka Wakka and Wulli Wulli women. I am a full-time, second year student at CQUniversity studying a Bachelor of Environmental Science.
My career aspirations:
My career aspirations involve being apart of environmental circumstances among companies that do a great deal of impact. I am inspired to support the growth and development within these companies to sustain environmental matters and be included in decision-making processes.
How my scholarship is helping:
My Arrow Energy Go Further Indigenous Scholarship has allowed me to balance my study-load, compared to my personal workload. Unfortunately, I will face financial struggles within myself, especially once vocational professional placement comes around. However, the benefit of this scholarship will immensely support myself during times of need, like completing placement or enrolling in more units in a term, allowing me to cut back my work hours.
Thank you to Arrow Energy for selecting me as a successful recipient for 2022.
My advice to other students:
“When applying for scholarships, don’t consider it, do it. It changed my life in a way that I never knew it would. It will only take a short amount of your time. Scholarships will assist you with any financial responsibilities so that you can focus on your future as a student.”
The CQUniCares Scholarship program changes lives and CQUni is grateful to partner with Arrow Energy who share the University’s passion for making a difference in the lives of our remote students, their families and our communities.
Applications for Term 2 Scholarships close on Friday, 3 June. For individual scholarship opportunities, including eligibility criteria and instructions on how to apply, visit www.cqu.edu.au/scholarships.
Studying can be expensive, both emotionally and financially. This year, many students have been badly impacted by the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many have lost the work they rely on to finance their studies. Some are worried about family and friends in virus hot spots. Others are experiencing food and housing insecurity. Work experience placements have been affected, childcare arrangements disrupted, and family and community support networks impacted.
The University offers students on-going aid through counselling services, learning assistance programs, mentoring and peer group support networks and activities, and this year, through special food and technology aid programs to support study success. However, financial support can also be a key factor for success, and this is where we need your help.
Emergency grants for immediate crisis, foodbanks for hard-hit students and fostering connections through remote gardening – these are just a few of the ways we’re supporting students throughout COVID-19.
After being awarded an Advance Queensland Indigenous Pathways VET Scholarship in Term 1 2020, we hear from Tayla, John, Maree, Siobahn and Rebecca on the impact their scholarship is having on their education, plans for the future and pass on their thanks and gratitude to their generous scholarship donor, Advance Queensland and the Department of Innovation, Queensland Government. With Term 2 scholarships now open (many closing 12 June), all scholars share some great advice for other students thinking about applying.
After being awarded an Arrow Energy Go Further Indigenous Scholarship in Term 1 2020, scholars Sara and Leah share the positive impact their scholarship is having on their education, plans for the future and pass on their thanks and gratitude to their generous scholarship donor, Arrow Energy.
SARA IDE – Bachelor of Business, Online
My name is Sara Ide and I am 24 years old. I am currently studying Bachelor of Business at CQUniversity Australia. I am majoring in Management and minoring in Human Resources. I am a proud Kooma woman, grew up in Brisbane and currently living in Mackay.
The Arrow Energy Go Further Indigenous Scholarship has helped me with being able to purchase things I would not have been able to purchase before because of my financial situation. I am buying a new laptop with a better processor as my computer now is a budget computer and researching is very hard as it freezes a lot. I am also getting a study area set up by buying a desk chair so I can study more comfortably and a printer to print unit outlines and documents needed to highlight information. It also helps me be able to purchase textbooks when needed as that was a big worry every time a textbook is needed to be purchased as I usually just read them online.
“I am incredibly grateful for this scholarship and I cannot be happier. I have been very unlucky in my financial situation and being unemployed has been hard, so this has helped me out tremendously. Thank you again.”
LEAH MUNNS – Bachelor of Psychological Science, Online
I am grateful for being one of the recipients of the Arrow Energy Go Further Indigenous Tertiary Scholarship for 2020. It is my intention to use this scholarship to complete the required study on my way to becoming a registered Psychologist. I hope to be able to use these funds to cover my ongoing study, into a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) and Master of Professional Psychology in the coming two years.
This scholarship has allowed me to purchase essential equipment to enable me to complete my degree in 2020, such as a laptop and accessories, printer and the purchase of textbooks. The scholarship will also cover any additional out of pocket expenses that were anticipated, such as a residential school in Brisbane. Unfortunately, due to the current global health crisis this event was transferred to online.
As a mature age student, who hadn’t undertaken any formal study, to better prepare myself and to become familiar with university practices, I undertook the Tertiary Entry Program (TEP). I completed this program in Term 1, 2016. I commenced studying part-time in Term 3, 2016, whilst still working full time with Services Australia, formerly Department of Human Services, working towards a Bachelor of Psychological Science degree. I have been fortunate to be awarded one of two National Indigenous Scholarships through Services Australia, which is allowing me to complete my final year of degree as a full-time student. I have been employed with Services Australia and its previous configurations for 31 years and during this period, I have witnessed how intergenerational welfare dependency has increased. I hope to be able to work with families and individuals to address this ongoing issue.
“It is amazing that Arrow Energy wish to invest in the education, employment and future of Indigenous higher education students and again I am grateful to be a recipient of this scholarship.”
The CQUniCares Scholarship program changes lives and CQUni is grateful to partner with organisations like Arrow Energy who share the University’s passion for making a difference in the lives of our students, their families and our communities.
With applications now open for Term 2 scholarships, CQUni students are encouraged to discover the many generous donor, Government and CQUniversity-funded scholarships on offer at www.cqu.edu.au/scholarships.
Lou Warwick is Bachelor of Building Design student at CQUniversity. Following a workplace accident, and with the support of her lecturer, Lou applied and received a CQUniCares Emergency Grant to help her overcome the obstacles she was facing.
Earlier this year, Lou was also awarded a CQUniCares Appeal Scholarship, made possible by generous alumni, staff, students and friends of the University who supported the 2018 CQUniCares Annual Appeal.
Did you know financial stress is one of the top four reasons for students not completing their study?
We know university isn’t always easy and the stress of financial barriers can make it hard for our students to achieve success. At CQUni, we care about you and want to help eliminate the barriers which make it hard to be what you want to be.
This week CQUni launched its annual CQUniCares appeal with an aim to raise enough funds in 25 days to offer 25 scholarships to 25 of our deserving students!
Want to know how you can help us change the lives of 25 students? Keep reading…
