Lewin, Tahlia and Paniora share how a gap year (and even a career change) helped them succeed at UTS
For some students, finishing Year 12 means heading straight to university. But for others, hitting pause before diving into study can make all the difference. Taking a gap year, changing courses (or even careers) isn’t about falling behind - it’s about stepping back, recharging, and figuring out what’s right for you.
Meet Lewin, Tahlia and Panoira: three UTS College students who each took some time off study after high school. Their stories show how that time away helped them gain clarity, get work/life experience, build confidence and start uni with a stronger sense of purpose.
Tahlia, Diploma of Science and pre-medicine at UTS
After finishing high school, Tahlia knew she needed a break. “I was mentally exhausted,” she says. “I wanted to take a step back and reset before making big decisions about my future.”
During her gap year, Tahlia worked part-time and took time to reflect on what really inspired her. Science had always been a strong interest, but it was during that year she realised she wanted to pursue a career in medicine.
When she was ready, Tahlia enrolled in the Diploma of Science at UTS College. “It felt like the right place to start,” she says. “I wasn’t thrown in the deep end. The smaller classes and extra support helped me ease into uni life and get my confidence back.”
Now studying pre-medicine at UTS, Tahlia says taking a year off gave her the clarity and focus she needed to succeed. “I didn’t rush into a decision. I started uni knowing exactly what I wanted, and that made me so much more motivated.”
Lewin, Diploma of Science and studying biology at UTS
When Lewin finished Year 12, he knew he wasn’t ready to jump straight into university. “I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” he says. “I needed time to figure things out.” So, he took a gap year and it turned out to be one of the best decisions he’s made.
That year gave Lewin the breathing space to explore his interests and think about what really motivated him. Science had always intrigued him, but it wasn’t until he had the time to reflect that he realised he wanted to pursue it seriously.
Rather than head straight into a degree, Lewin chose to study the Diploma of Science at UTS College. “It felt like a smart way to transition into uni,” he says. “It gave me a chance to build my confidence and study skills, and it was a more personal, supportive environment.”
Lewin also appreciated how the gap year helped him approach study with a more mature mindset. “I came in feeling ready,” he says. “I wasn’t just doing what everyone else was doing. I had a plan, and that made me more focused.”
Now on his way to completing a Bachelor of Science at UTS, Lewin credits his gap year for helping him get to where he is today. “If I’d rushed into it, I might not have chosen the right path. That time off helped me start uni when I was truly ready.”
Panoira (“Pnuks”), Diploma of Communication and studying communication at UTS
For Paniora, heading to university wasn’t something he rushed into. After finishing high school, he spent a few years working as a youth worker. It was a role that helped him grow both personally and professionally. “It gave me a real sense of purpose,” he says. “I loved helping others, but I also realised I had more I wanted to explore.”
Over time, Paniora developed a strong interest in media, communication and storytelling. He knew he wanted to make a broader impact and saw university as the next step. “I wanted to build a career that blended my creative interests with my lived experience.”
He enrolled in the Diploma of Communication at UTS College, a decision he describes as a turning point. “The College was the perfect environment to start that journey,” he says. “The support, the smaller classes, the encouragement…it all made a difference.”
Now studying a Bachelor of Communication at UTS and growing his platform as a content creator, Paniora sees real value in the path he’s taken. “Working before uni gave me life experience, but it also gave me direction. When I finally started studying, I was ready. I knew why I was there, and that’s helped me succeed.”
Ready when you are
Whether it was a few months to recharge or a few years gaining real-world experience, taking time off after school helped Lewin, Tahlia and Paniora start university with confidence and purpose. Their journeys were all different, but they each found that stepping back before stepping forward made all the difference.
If you’re unsure about what comes next after high school, know that there’s more than one path to success. And sometimes, the best thing you can do is pause, reflect, and give yourself the space to figure it out. Take your time, we’ll be here when you’re ready.
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