Nathan
Coming to Marden Senior College
I was home-schooled during my primary and high school years. I first tried Open Access College in Year 10 to get back into attending school, however I found that I didn’t enjoy doing school over the phone and studying alone. I decided to enrol at Marden Senior College for Stage 1 and 2. I wanted to study Science at university so I needed to complete Year 12. My parents and I chose Marden because we lived close by, it looked like a nice place, and we thought it would be better than going to a new high school.
Experience at Marden Senior College
I loved studying at Marden. I chose Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics, which would provide me with a good foundation of knowledge that I needed. I really enjoyed going to school and mixing with a variety of people, who were mostly adults. The teachers there were also amazing and friendly, some of whom I still communicate with today. They were friendly with all of the students and sometimes didn’t even feel like teachers. Having this interaction made high school really fun and enjoyable for me. I always tell people how great it was to study at Marden. Everyone says that high school is the hardest/least enjoyable time of your life but for me it was one of the best!
I attended every class and made good friends with everyone I met. Due to the way the classes were structured, it made my first year of university a breeze. Additionally, the interaction with adults greatly improved my confidence.
I was involved with the Student Government Association, as I loved working as part of a team. We held BBQs, secondhand sales, and organized the Formal. Through my involvement with the SGA, I was recognised as a leader. This enabled me to visit the Governor of South Australia, and later be awarded with the ADF Long Tan Youth and Leadership Award upon completion of Year 12. This further inspired my passion for leadership.
Achievements to date
After completing Year 12 and achieving the appropriate ATAR, I enrolled in a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Adelaide. I joined every club I had an interest in, which was a fantastic way to make new friends who had similar interests.
I did so well with my grades in the first year of university that I was invited to join the Golden Key Honour Society, which is given to students who rank in the top 15%. My grades also enabled me to do a summer page 10 I Marden Senior College – your pathway to success scholarship working in a lab. Throughout my university life I have been involved in a variety of roles for the clubs I’ve joined, such as vice president for the Athletics Club for three years, Community Service Officer for Golden Key, and secretary for Adelaide Students Toastmasters, to name a few.
I have also volunteered for a variety of organisations. I have been a peer mentor for science students for two years, which helps first year students adapt to university life. I also volunteered for the information service at university, and through this I was offered a casual employment position.
Today and the future
I am currently in my last semester of my degree, majoring in Biochemistry and Physiology. After I graduate, I aim to do honours in Biochemistry and follow that up with a PhD in the future. My goal is to be a researcher and perhaps become a professor.
