What I Wish I Knew

Swinburne University of Technology
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We got a VTAC expert, a careers adviser and a current student together in a room and asked them: what do you wish Year 12s knew before applying to uni? This tell-all podcast is packed with insider intel to help you navigate the VTAC process, increase your chances of offers, and get more for your ATAR. Each episode takes you through a different step on the journey to uni, from getting through Year 12 exams to applying for courses and adjusting VTAC preferences.

Episodes

  1. 08/26/2025

    #6: About studying smarter and beating burnout (according to science)

    Two of Swinburne’s brainiest experts are here to safeguard your mental health and your grades – with science on your side, of course. You’ll learn evidence-based strategies to maximise your memory by building a ‘network of knowledge’; trick your brain and body into relaxing when the exam panic sets in; and make stress your secret weapon. Transcript -------------------- Show notes Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players, you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time: (00:00) Intro & guests (01:00) Brain & habits (02:00) Memory explained (04:30) Cross-subject links (05:30) Study techniques (07:00) Cramming myth (09:00) Burnout balance (10:00) Stress curve (12:00) Exam calm tips (13:00) Catherine Q&A (16:00) Meet Kelvin (17:30) Active recall (19:30) Spot burnout (20:30) Mental health (21:30) Get support (22:30) Kelvin Q&A (24:00) Final pathways __________  Links from today’s episode: Health and wellbeing support at Swinburne Pathways to universityUniLink diplomas Timely info and resources Swinburne’s Bachelor of Psychological Sciences Swinburne’s Bachelor of Psychology and Cognitive NeuroscienceVTAC help and course consultations Connect with Swinburne:  ⁠⁠Book a one-on-one appointment with a Future Student Adviser⁠⁠  ⁠⁠Visit the Year 11 & 12 Hub⁠⁠  ⁠⁠Explore Change of Preference resources⁠⁠  ⁠⁠Follow Swinburne on Instagram⁠⁠  ⁠⁠Follow Swinburne on TikTok⁠⁠  ⁠⁠Check out Swinburne on YouTube⁠⁠

    26 min

  2. 08/26/2025

    #5: About getting an embarrassingly good ATAR without living in the library

    What’s the secret to nailing your Year 12 results – even if you’re ‘bad at studying’? Ask Aidan, a current Swinburne student and self-confessed ‘chronic pathological procrastinator’. Learn about the foolproof exam question systemhe swears by, and why he recommends ditching your study schedule (and what to do instead). Transcript -------------------- Show notes Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players, you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time: (00:00) Introduction (02:00) Staying focused (03:00) Class time > home study (04:00) Burnout & losing support (08:00) “Anything is better than nothing” (09:30) Traffic light exam system (11:00) Invest in friends & hobbies (12:30) Rapid-fire Q&A (14:30) Final reflections __________  Links from today’s episode: Aidan’s course Professional degrees Timely info and resources VTAC help and course consultations Connect with Swinburne:  ⁠Book a one-on-one appointment with a Future Student Adviser⁠  ⁠Visit the Year 11 & 12 Hub⁠  ⁠Explore Change of Preference resources⁠  ⁠Follow Swinburne on Instagram⁠  ⁠Follow Swinburne on TikTok⁠  ⁠Check out Swinburne on YouTube⁠

    15 min

  3. 08/26/2024

    #4: About Change of Preference - AKA how to maximise offers

    Not sure where to start when it comes to adjusting your VTAC preferences? Good news: we’ve decoded the Change of Preference process for you to give you the best possible chance of getting more and more offers with every single round.   Transcript -------------------- Show notes Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players, you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time: (00:00) Introduction (00:28) What you should know about offer rounds  (02:00) Why you should always accept your first offer  (03:33) What is Change of Preference?  (04:43) Get personalised advice at Change of Preference Expo  (05:54) What if you don’t get the ATAR you were hoping for?  (07:11) Supplementary offers  (09:18) The most common mistake students make when applying for uni  (09:41) Advice for offer day nerves  __________    Links from today’s episode:  Change of Preference resources  VTAC help and course consultations  Pathways  Connect with Swinburne:  Book a one-on-one appointment with a Future Student Adviser  Visit the Year 11 & 12 Hub  Explore Change of Preference resources  Follow Swinburne on Instagram  Follow Swinburne on TikTok  Check out Swinburne on YouTube

    11 min

  4. 08/26/2024

    #3: About VTAC: from preference tips to scholarships

    Learn the key to arranging your VTAC preferences to make your application stand out (and more importantly, what not to do). Plus, find out how to save on tuition with a scholarship – and some of the different ways to get into your dream course you might not even know about.  Transcript -------------------- Show notes Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players, you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time: (00:00) Introduction (00:33) The biggest blunders students make on their VTAC applications  (01:49) The best way to arrange your VTAC preferences  (03:35) ATARs vs entry requirements  (04:29) Be sure to double-check application dates and extra requirements  (05:59) Who could be eligible for a scholarship?  (08:40) How to apply for a scholarship  (12:33) Adding an Early Entry course to your VTAC preferences  __________    Links from today’s episode: Scholarships  Early Entry Program  Browse courses  Pathways  New Colombo Plan Scholarship Connect with Swinburne:  Book a one-on-one appointment with a Future Student Adviser  Visit the Year 11 & 12 Hub  Explore Change of Preference resources  Follow Swinburne on Instagram  Follow Swinburne on TikTok  Check out Swinburne on YouTube

    15 min

  5. 08/26/2024

    #2: About ATARs (no calculator required)

    Did you know you might still get into your dream course, even if didn’t achieve the ATAR you wanted? In this episode, we’re talking all things entry requirements, from ATARs and study scores to adjustment factors and early entry programs.  Transcript -------------------- Show notes Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players, you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time: (00:00) Introduction (00:31) Why everyone should apply for an Early Entry Program  (01:44) Always add a pathway option to your preference list  (04:04) Applying for an Early Entry Program  (05:12) How did Samuel choose his course?  (07:30) What is the Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS)?  (09:54) How ATAR adjustments work  (11:29) The student who got an ATAR in the 60s but still ended up in her dream course  __________    Links from today’s episode:  Pathway Planner  Early Entry Program  Special Entry Access Scheme  Samuel’s course: Diploma of Graphic Design    Connect with Swinburne:  Book a one-on-one appointment with a Future Student Adviser  Visit the Year 11 & 12 Hub  Explore Change of Preference resources  Follow Swinburne on Instagram  Follow Swinburne on TikTok  Check out Swinburne on YouTube

    14 min

  6. 08/26/2024

    #1: About Choosing the Right Course - and Uni

    When it comes to picking your dream uni course, some green flags matter more than others. Whether you’re browsing courses or touring campuses, here’s what the VTAC experts say should be on your criteria list when weighing up your uni options.  Transcript -------------------- Show notes Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players, you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time: (00:00) Introduction (01:25) One thing Samuel wishes he knew about applying for uni  (03:30) Samuel’s advice for students heading into Year 12 exams  (06:26) How to prepare for the transition from high school to uni  (09:27) Amanda’s top VTAC tip for Year 12s  (10:36) The superpower you can tap into when choosing a course  (12:28) Single versus double degrees  (15:02) Look for courses that offer professional placements  (16:13) Visit campus to get a sense of uni life  __________    Here are the links from today’s episode:  Browse courses Work Integrated Learning  Samuel’s course: Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Design  Swinburne’s industry partner stories  Placements  Campus tours  Download a course guide    Connect with Swinburne:  Book a one-on-one appointment with a Future Student Adviser  Visit the Year 11 & 12 Hub  Explore Change of Preference resources  Follow Swinburne on Instagram  Follow Swinburne on TikTok  Check out Swinburne on YouTube

    18 min
  • 6 Episodes

About

We got a VTAC expert, a careers adviser and a current student together in a room and asked them: what do you wish Year 12s knew before applying to uni? This tell-all podcast is packed with insider intel to help you navigate the VTAC process, increase your chances of offers, and get more for your ATAR. Each episode takes you through a different step on the journey to uni, from getting through Year 12 exams to applying for courses and adjusting VTAC preferences.

Information

  • Creator
    Swinburne University of Technology
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Swinburne University of Technology
  • Show Website
    What I Wish I Knew