Having grown up on a Brahman-cross beef cattle property near Hughenden in north-western Queensland, the land is where Amelia Wearing feels most at home.
So, when she finished up her schooling in Charters Towers, enrolling at UNE was an obvious choice.
“I liked the idea of being at an ‘ag’ uni so I’d be surrounded by country people,” says Amelia. “Armidale is also a smaller town and there are cows not too far away, which makes me feel better about being away from home.”
Despite agriculture being Amelia’s bread and butter, it was a Bachelor of Science that she chose to pursue.
“I was always good at science, and understanding the world at a molecular level fascinates me,” she says. “I love feeling like a crazy scientist mixing stuff together and watching it change colour or fizz, or whatever it’s going to do.”
Amelia is majoring in biochemistry, minoring in business; a strategic combination that she hopes to use to improve the agricultural industry in the future.
“The plan is that I am going to learn some crazy stuff, be super smart and invent something,” she says.
“The minor in business is because everything in this world is business and it’s something that I will be able to use no matter what I decide to be when I grow up.”
Finding that camaraderie and support is really important and helps a lot, and college is a really great place to do that.
Over the past two years, Amelia has called Robb College home. From college events to snowball fights, there’s always something happening.
“There are so many funny moments and good times as part of college life and if anyone’s looking to live a little I would totally recommend it. Getting to hang out with your friends every day and ‘study’ together is pretty cool.”
Living 19 hours away from home, finding a good support network has been crucial for Amelia. The in-built family that comes with living at college is one of the things that has helped her get through the challenges of university.
Image: Amelia's college family has helped her get through the tough times during her studies.
“I don’t think any of us could get through this without good friends,” she says. “Finding that camaraderie and support is really important and helps a lot, and college is a really great place to do that.”
For anyone considering study, or is already in the thick of it, she has one piece of advice.
“Call your friends, rant, laugh, cry if you need to- it’s all good for you," she says.
“Laughter is pretty good, and a real laugh is probably overdue."
