Imogen
Coming to Marden
My main motivation in attending Marden was to improve my ATAR. Having completed my SACE the year previously, I unfortunately fell short of the ATAR which was required to gain entry into the career path which I desired. In researching what school options were available, I decided to attend Marden as I believed the adult learning environment, broad curriculum and flexible learning approach would suit my strengths as a learner.
Experience at Marden Senior College
I cannot recommend Marden highly enough. Every facet of my learning experience at Marden was excellent, ranging from the high quality of the education received, the diversity and kindness of the student cohort and the ways in which teachers would go out of their way to support the individual.
The subjects I studied in my time at Marden included Nutrition, General Maths and Psychology. Having previously completed prerequisite subjects required to gain entry into my dream degree dentistry, I chose these subjects as they broadened my scope of general knowledge. Within each of these subjects, every teacher truly went above and beyond their required duty to support me in achieving my dream, whether it be by clarification of topics to ensure I had a solid understanding of the concept to their excellent organisation and diligence. With the support of the teaching staff behind me, I was able to gain an ATAR of 99.4, allowing my hard work and persistence to be rewarded with my acceptance into dentistry.
However, there is far more to Marden Senior College than their impressive academic staff. The diverse student culture at Marden was so inclusive, allowing everyone to feel comfortable, at home and supported by each other. I was lucky enough to make some amazing friends at my time at Marden, friends that I know I will have for life.
The variety of events offered at Marden such as sausage sizzles, the formal, fundraisers and sporting opportunities offered a great way to interact with the Marden community. I would highly recommend Marden Senior College to any student as there really is a place for every face at this school. I can’t value my experience there highly enough, and always look back on my time there with very fond memories.
Achievements to date
Following my graduation from Marden Senior College, I was lucky enough to gain entry into the Bachelor of Dental Health Science / Master of Dentistry at La Trobe University in Bendigo. To be accepted into this course was such an honour for me, as I could then develop the skills to fulfil my dream; to truly make a difference in the health of the Australian population, particularly in the rural Australian setting which suffers from many health inequities.
I am currently completing the first year of a five-year course and loving it! I am very passionate about my current study and already have developed many valuable skills. In the future, I desire to remain a life-long learner, whereby I remain up to date with the latest innovations and information. I hope to one day complete a specialisation in dentistry, involving a high level of patient interaction and skill level, such as orthodontics.
Message to students
I hope that I can express to those reading this, that if you are passionate enough about something in life, failure is not an option. So, if you didn’t get into your dream course the first time around or you missed out on that great job; persistence is the key. You only fail when you stop trying.
