While most university students have to weigh up whether to study close to home or move away, Maryborough’s Paige Hadfield has found she can do both after enrolling at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

The first-year student has decided to divide her time between USC Fraser Coast and USC’s main campus at Sippy Downs as she begins a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy.

“I definitely think I will end up getting the best of both worlds with this unique situation,” said Paige, who is a Riverside Christian College graduate.

“I am able to significantly save money and time by living at home, while also experiencing the freedom of a uni student who lives away from home.”

Paige will be among hundreds of Fraser Coast students starting at USC’s Sippy Downs and Fraser Coast campuses when Semester 1 begins on Monday, 29 February.

She has coordinated her timetable to spend two days at each location and, while at Sippy Downs, she will stay with other first-year students from Maryborough.

Paige plans to specialise in paediatrics once she completes her degree.

“I’ve always wanted a career dedicated to helping people and the community, and I’ve always been heavily interested in biological studies,” she said. “Additionally, I love working with children, so Occupational Therapy truly combines my two main interests.” 

Just as Paige was clear on which academic path to take, she was also certain she wanted to study with the University of the Sunshine Coast.

“USC was one of my favourites from the beginning,” she said. “I fell in love with their beautiful Sippy Downs campus and the modern looking facilities they had, while also loving the positive energy the Uni seemed to hold.

“I was very excited when I heard they were going to open a Fraser Coast Campus. USC representatives actually came to do a presentation at my high school and advertised the University really well, which pretty much was the confirmation I needed.
 
“USC staff have been very helpful in answering all my questions about the two different campuses and when they didn’t know an answer, they made it their mission to find out for me. It was really nice to feel supported in the process.”

— Clare McKay