From hesitation to hard science

Finding her path in science

When Tahlia Skordas decided to study the Diploma of Science at UTS College, she was navigating more than just units and lectures. She was facing the doubts that come from questioning whether your high-school results were enough, whether you could aim that high, and whether you belonged.

“I thought, ‘I’ve done so badly. How can I ever get into medicine?’” she says.

But her journey to science was always in the making. As a kid, Tahlia was fascinated with how the world works. She had astronomy books and loved her weekly science class.

“I knew from an early age I wanted to do something in science for my career,” she says.

She studied biology and chemistry for her HSC and worked part-time in a pharmacy. It was that combination that helped her realise her passion for science could become a career.

“It really helped me make that connection with a love of science and helping people. That’s when I decided I wanted to do pre-med at UTS.”

Her passion for science was already firmly in place, but Tahlia needed help with study skills. She says, “I feel like in high school I wasn’t as motivated as I am now."

For Tahlia, the move to UTS College was more than just getting in. It was about gaining confidence and the right foundation. “The way the curriculum is structured really helped me get organised and ready for university,” she explains. She took the Life Sciences stream of the Diploma of Science because it matched her goal of pre-medicine.

UTS College helped Tahlia develop time management skills and learn how to prepare for exams and presentations. "I’ve always felt supported,” she says, “knowing I had Study Success Advisers and teachers encouraging me. I always felt that I could go to them for help."

Tahlia says the teachers and Student Success Advisers went above and beyond to make sure she understood the content and could confidently carry out her assignments. Tahlia didn’t just complete her diploma, she stood out. She says, "their support helped me get my GPA and graduate with the Outstanding Graduate Prize.” This prize recognises the highest Grade Point Average (GPA) in her diploma program.

The way the curriculum is structured really helped me get organised and ready for university.