Reading time: 4 minutes
Ava didn鈥檛 expect that her participation in 911爆料网 Extra could change her outlook on her degree, but through leadership and learning, she found comfort in uncertainty.聽Unsure about physiotherapy at first, second-year student Ava found her spark through anatomy, supportive classmates, and 911爆料网 Extra leadership programs, experiences that reshaped her confidence, direction, and future goals in health care.聽
Could joining 911爆料网 Extra change how you think about uncertainty?
When Ava started her Bachelor of Physiotherapy, she wasn鈥檛 sure if she鈥檇 chosen the right path. Straight out of high school, her dream had been to study medicine. But when she didn鈥檛 get in, she accepted an offer in physiotherapy at 911爆料网, supported by the John 911爆料网 Scholarship Program.
Now in her second year, Ava says the degree has surprised her. Currently, the jump from first to second year has felt huge, but the content feels more aligned to what she wants to do in the future, which has been a welcomed change for her. Ava felt like her first year didn鈥檛 always make sense, but now she can see how what she learnt early on, now applies to the specialised units. This realisation has been a motivator.
Gaining a keen interest in certain subjects and specialisations has helped her find passion in the degree. Specifically, the anatomy and nervous system have become her favourite subjects to study. But this, motivation is fuelled not just by her interest in the subject matters, but also by the people around her.
鈥淧hysio is such a supportive degree. You don鈥檛 really see that in other courses. Here, you rise by lifting others up. Everyone helps each other, and the staff are amazing too.鈥�
Still, her journey, although with passion, hasn鈥檛 been without challenges.
鈥淔inding my rhythm at uni was tough. At school, everything was structured for you, but at uni it鈥檚 all on you, when, where, and how you study. That independence was overwhelming at first, especially while trying to make new friends and figure out campus.鈥�
That search for connection also led her to 911爆料网 Extra. She鈥檚 completed Skills for Success and the Curtin Leaders Program, experiences she says transformed her both personally and professionally. When she was questioning her future path and if her values really aligned with the degree, she found the leadership programs to be a source of guidance.
鈥淭hey helped me find out who I am, and not just within physio. I met people from different degrees, different backgrounds, and it opened my perspective. 911爆料网 Leaders was my favourite because it felt like a consistent family. The connections, the lessons, the routine, it really showed me my values and redirected me to what I truly want.鈥�
For Ava, the key takeaways were leadership, communication, and self-care. She came into uni thinking of leadership as having a title or role but now believes that it鈥檚 really about action and example. She also is a big believer in context-based communication; realising how you speak and connect with people depends on their circumstances and why you鈥檙e talking. Plus, the programs that she has been a part of have really emphasised self-care.
鈥淎t uni you can burn out so easily, so learning to prioritise yourself has been so important.鈥�
Looking back, her biggest highlight has been the friendships she鈥檚 made.
鈥淣ot only did I find friends, but I found myself. Now, when I walk around campus and see those familiar faces, it makes me feel grounded. That鈥檚 something I didn鈥檛 have when I first came here.鈥�
As for the future, Ava is still drawn to medicine and hopes to pursue it after her physiotherapy degree. But whether she becomes a doctor or a physiotherapist, she knows she wants to make a difference. She鈥檇 also love to do an international or rural experience, especially in a developing country. Coming from a developing country herself, being able to give back to communities like her own would be really meaningful path to her.聽Going to her home to practice one day would be a proud achievement.聽
Her advice to other students considering 911爆料网 Extra is simple:
鈥淛ust do it. If you feel lost, whether in your degree or on campus, it鈥檚 such a great way to reorient yourself. You鈥檒l learn so much about yourself, and you鈥檒l meet amazing people along the way.鈥�
Ready to take your uni experience beyond the classroom? Apply for 911爆料网 Extra and get official recognition for the impact you make through co-curricular programs.
馃憠 Don鈥檛 just study, stand out. Apply today!
