Reflecting on the past few years of study has made me consider what the key moments were that stood out. What were the ‘make or break’ experiences, what helped me improve as a student, what advice would I give to others? I started with the purpose of making a tangible change in my community, and that path was set on the first day I walked into class. As a freshly minted student, my tutors opened a world of criminological theories, concepts and challenges that I had never considered. More importantly, I will never forget how they made me feel. Supported, acknowledged, valued, and challenged to improve. I am grateful for this, and the foundational academic and critical thinking skills they gave me.
In the early stages of exploring my study options, I was inquiring about law, having no idea that criminology existed as a discipline. After chatting with me about my purpose for studying, a careers advisor suggested that I consider criminology and justice, and I am thankful that they did. From that point, my understanding of crime and justice has changed dramatically, largely due to the knowledgeable and dedicated academics I have been fortunate to learn from. They have taught me to question everything, including my own assumptions and biases, and I now carry this into all aspects of my life.
What Students Really Value
If I said that I have enjoyed every moment of my undergraduate experience, you would know that is not the truth. As students, we all face hurdles, and I have witnessed my peers juggle multiple jobs and unstable housing while trying to maintain grades and keep up with course content.
Personally, as a mature age student who did not complete high school, I have been challenged with a complex and unfamiliar learning environment. Despite this, I have loved the opportunities that this degree has offered me. Earlier this year, I joined with other students to establish the UniSC Criminology Society. Our goal has been to engage with students, academics, and industry partners to provide a community that supports our learning and employment objectives. This has given me the unique opportunity of hearing about the experiences of other students, and there are a few key recurring themes about what students’ need from their academics and tutors that I would like to share.
We love feedback on our assessments. It helps us to improve, we do read it, and we take it into our next task or course. We also love hearing what we got right, not only what we got wrong. We appreciate clear instructions and transparent expectations. I promise you that most of us are trying to give the markers exactly what they want. We are fortunate to have a hybrid model of course delivery, and we love the flexibility this gives us when preparing for tutorials. For online coursework, short (20 – 30 minutes), focused videos help prevent the attention fatigue that happens when listening to an hour (or longer) lecture and makes it easier to go back over content that we need to revise. Finally, we appreciate your acknowledgment that student life is a juggle of study, work, family, and friends, and we know that with your help and support we can succeed.
Making the Most of the Opportunities
As we prepare to head into industry, or take on further study, most students I speak to feel ready and excited for what lies ahead. Courses like professional placement provide invaluable opportunities for us to take what we have learned from the classroom into real world settings and assists us with transitioning into the workplace. Internships also offer unique insights into industry, and I encourage any student to take up these opportunities. For students, my best advice is to be proactive and be involved in your campus. Join your student guild or senate, sit on committees, join your volunteer society, and build your networks. Each of these will increase your sense of community, develop your connections, and enhance your university experience.
Sue Sweeney is a third-year Bachelor of Criminology and Justice student at the University of the Sunshine Coast. For Sue, studying criminology and crime prevention is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to her community. This year, she has undertaken two crime research internships, professional placement with Queensland Police, and established the UniSC Criminology Society. Additionally, Sue has been the student representative for the Criminology and Justice cohort, and student representative to the Gender Based Violence taskforce. With a specific interest in cybercrime, extremism and sexual violence prevention research, she will focus on gaining a deeper understanding of Com networks in her upcoming honour’s year.
