How Daniel found his way back to his passion

Daniel Hall, Victoria University Polytechnic student
It felt as though VU wasn’t just a university, but a place that really wanted to see me succeed. Without VU’s approach to learning, I could still be stuck in a career that I was unhappy in.

Daniel Hall
Tertiary Preparation, Beauty Therapy, Biomedical Science

After leaving high school halfway through Year 12 and working as a chef and in retail, Daniel Hall was ready for a fresh start and a new career direction – but needed a study pathway that didn’t rely on an ATAR. Initially apprehensive about returning to study, Daniel found that Victoria University’s (VU) flexible entry options and supportive learning environment gave him the opportunity to thrive.

Enrolling at first in a Diploma of Beauty Therapy SHB50121 (previously SHB50115) and then a Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation 22582VIC (previously 22313VIC), he is now studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at VU – having rediscovered his love for learning and working towards a future in medical research.

"I dropped out of school halfway through Year 12, as I was never a very successful or dedicated student. At that time, I was undertaking the VCAL program and doing a school-based apprenticeship to become a chef. I worked as a chef and in retail for a few years before I realised I wanted to return to study.

I chose VU as I felt the pathways offered were incredibly promising, especially as a student returning to study without an ATAR. I enrolled into a Diploma of Beauty Therapy and a Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation.

I chose to study beauty therapy as I had always had a passion for caring for others and I was fascinated by the underlying anatomy and physiology of the skin, bone and musculature of the human body.

I was apprehensive about transitioning to higher education as I had no experience with referencing, research, learning, academic writing or succeeding as a student in general. The Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation gave me all of the tools, resources and knowledge for me to succeed as a student.

It felt as though VU wasn’t just a university, but a place that really wanted to see me succeed. Without VU’s approach to learning, I can genuinely say I may not have completed my initial diploma, and I could still be stuck in a career that I was unhappy in.

I am now studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at VU with aspirations of becoming a medical researcher.

As someone who was certainly an underachiever in previous educational settings, I have discovered a new passion – and sometimes an obsession – for learning!"

Daniel's study pathway