Meet one of our youngest ever graduates, 17-year-old Arlo Taylor.
The young Tasmanian is a newly minted Bachelor of Science alumni, having completed the UNE degree online while studying at high school. And, as a Vice-Chancellor’s Scholar, he’s about to launch straight into an Honours degree.
“I’m thrilled to have finished my Bachelor and grade 12 at the same time,” Arlo said. “I started studying at UNE when I commenced grade 7, so I have been studying my Bachelor for six years.”
A passion for maths and science saw Arlo power through the Year 12 curriculum for those subjects by the age of 11 (through some online TAFE learning and support from a local high school science teacher). Seeking another challenge, he enrolled at UNE.
“My parents found out early that if I wasn’t sufficiently stimulated in those areas, I wasn’t very interested in going to school. So, they made sure I had what I needed to go at my own pace in these areas. I’ve always loved maths – since I could think, I’ve thought about numbers!”
With course planning assistance from UNE academics and support from our Student Access and Inclusion Office, Arlo successfully majored in maths and computational science, graduating last December.
“My lecturers just treated me like any other student, which was exactly what I wanted,” said Arlo. “Without access to online study I could not have gone to university until I was old enough to move away from home. It was really helpful to have the lectures recorded so I could go back through them at times of the day that suited me – because between 9am and 3pm I was at school!”
However, university commitments did necessitate compromises, especially when Arlo’s mother was diagnosed with cancer, when he was 13.
“I had to take more responsibility for managing my own schedule and keeping up with my commitments, as well as helping out at home more,” he said. “Fortunately, she has now recovered. Other than this, there have been many times when I have had to prioritise study over fun with my friends – but fortunately I’m one of those rare people that find maths fun, so it wasn’t much of a sacrifice.
“I love the way that maths allows problems to be solved in creative ways through logic and rigour. I really love the problem-solving in computational science as well and the way that these two fields are intertwined.”
Arlo said all his UNE lecturers “have been fantastic” and his family have given constant support, especially his Mum, despite not sharing his interest in maths. Now Arlo is undertaking Honours in Canberra, with a PhD in mathematics and a career in academia in his sights.
And demonstrating a wisdom well beyond his years, Arlo has the following advice to others who may be in a similar position:
“My advice would be, don’t feel you have to follow your peer group – allow your passions to guide you and your path will present itself.”
