“I'm a completely different person.”
The surprising story of one of the most recognisable faces at
UTS College.
Terez pops up a lot around campus. From being part of student societies, to leading others as a peer mentor and student ambassador, and appearing in cameos on the College TikTok, you’re almost guaranteed to see her smiling face in your travels. But that wasn’t always the case.
At high school she stuck to the same small group of friends and was scared to try anything beyond the usual classes. She studied visual arts and drama for the HSC and although she did well, the scaling for those subjects meant her ATAR was very low. She didn’t feel ready for university.
The idea of university was really intimidating. I just felt like I couldn’t do it. I felt like if I went, I would have probably dropped out.
Working on my Major Project - I loved Visual Arts at schoolOn top of her hesitation, she felt like the usual path wasn’t for her. “I feel like in high school everyone pretty much had the same mindset. Get a 99 plus ATAR, go to uni, work, marriage, whatever.” Realising the only expectations she had to live up to were her own, she chose a Diploma of Design at UTS College.
At the College, everyone came from different backgrounds and experiences. Everyone had different mindsets and they were open to different things. It just gave me more freedom, I guess, to be myself.
My Day Ones
Met on day one and still friends now 😌
Personal attention from her teachers, the close-knit environment, and the community at UTS College made the transition to uni so much smoother. Terez started to see a change in herself. First day, first class, first lesson, when she approached the students on her table, everyone was open to being friends. As her friendship circle grew, she felt empowered by their enthusiasm and diverse world views.
Her new crew was an inspiration. They encouraged her to push herself outside her comfort zone and try things her high school self would never have dared. Things like applying to be a peer mentor. Mentors meet regularly with new students to give study advice and to support them as they settle into Sydney life and Australian culture.
Hard at work
A snippet from one of my assessments
Every semester we’d get a group of new international students. We’d hold sessions with them weekly, just going over how to help them academically and socially. If they needed any type of help, we could show them where to get it properly.
First shift as a student ambassadorThose caring, supportive leadership qualities got noticed. Terez was approached to be a student ambassador. She’d always admired the student ambassadors on campus and knew how much impact they had on new students.
When I got the student ambassador role, I think that was the moment for me at the College. I think it defined my whole experience because, from my first few days, when I saw the student ambassadors, I thought that was something I could possibly do. And then when I got the role, I’m like, yeah, I feel like anything’s possible if you work towards it.
Terez's Takeaways
Surrounded by people from different backgrounds and mindsets, Terez thrived at UTS College. Her classmates and the environment gave her the freedom to be herself.
Being a peer mentor and then student ambassador has given Terez skills she knows will take her far beyond her studies. She’s made professional connections with teachers, developed her public speaking skills talking on panels, and been part of the creation and delivery of social media content for the College. When people started recognising and approaching her on campus, she realised how far she’d come. No longer scared to try new things, she’s more than a face in the crowd - she’s a face that everyone recognises. Terez took every opportunity she was offered and hasn’t looked back. She leads with heart, humility, and care, showing new students the way and helping everyone feel welcome.
From intimidation to being the face of the college, Terez flipped the script during her year at UTS College. It was the year she jumped out of her comfort zone and found her unique voice. The year that made her a leader.