Having Country Education Foundation behind you makes real difference: Jesse Weekes

Current Country Education Foundation of the Namoi scholar Jesse Weekes has told the most recent group of education grant recipients the power of having the organisation behind you.

Jesse was the guest-of-honour at the recent presentation evening held at The Exchange and spoke about how the assistance he received has transformed his tertiary education journey.

A former Narrabri High School student, Jesse is now studying a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science at the University of Sydney.

He was the recipient of a William McIlrath Charitable Foundation scholarship last year. His success in gaining support from the local CEF unlocked further opportunity for scholarships at a national level, and Jesse received the MH Premium Farms scholarship.

“It’s amazing and it’s very much helped me in my journey,” Jesse told the gathering.

Jesse shared his experience of his first 12 months at university in the hope of assisting the current group of new scholarship recipients.

“At the start of the year, I was very focused on my studies, maybe a little bit too focused,” he said.

“I was really conscious of wanting to do well academically and prove to myself that I could do well.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself, put all my energy into my coursework, and was very much just in survival mode, just making sure I survived that next assignment just to try and stay on top of everything.”

What Jesse said he didn’t realise was that being the top student, or getting outstanding marks, isn’t everything

“Your focus should be on learning at the end of the day,” he said.

“So once I got rid of that, that good marks mentality, I actually really ended up doing better in my studies.”

Jesse said his approach to his units completely changed. Last semester, he was first out of more than 200 students in one of his units.

“This is where I need to thank the Country Education Foundation because it’s just completely changed my experience,” he said.

“Instead of having to work during uni teaching periods just to make ends meet, I was able to spend time just learning the random parts of the unit that I enjoyed in my free time.

“So instead of this financial stress hanging over my head, I was able to just actually focus on the learning and not just rush through to get a degree.

“Looking back, I can confidently say that having the support of the Country Education Foundation has been one of the key reasons that I’ve been able to find my footing at university.

“It gave me the freedom to properly engage in my course content and to grow both academically and personally.

“It’s honestly just a great feeling to have people supporting you and to know you have that community behind you. Every time I come back, it’s great to see familiar faces and feel supported and just people asking, how’s your degree going?

“It’s really a whole community thing coming behind just to support these students as we push them forward.”

Jesse also reassured students that there will be times when they feel overwhelmed with their studies and assignments.

“I had one assignment where I had to write an entire scientific discussion in two hours and it was just completely overwhelming at the time, but you will get through it,” he said.

“You’ll get past it and you’ll be better off for it.

“You will come out the other side stronger and more confident.”

Jesse said moving away from Narrabri has been a good chance of learning how to adapt.

“You’re going to get thrown into this new situation. You’re going to be in a new job, and you’re going have to adapt,” he said.

“You’re going to have to change and you’re going to have to do that over and over.

“What university really teaches you isn’t just the content. It’s how to learn, and how to adapt to new situations, as well as being able to communicate that knowledge to other people.

“Don’t underestimate how challenging the transition can be. Take it from me. I was overconfident. I was so certain of how it was going to be.

“But at the same time, also, don’t underestimate yourself.

“Make sure to ask for help when you need it and take advantage of the support that’s offered to you.

“And trust me, having an organisation like the Country Education Foundation behind you makes a real difference.

“It’s not just the financial support, it’s the reassurance, the stability, and just knowing that a community is behind you backing you while you try to figure things out.”