I just finished my very first cattle handling practical assessment, a little relieved that it is all over, but still awaiting anxiously for the result the following morning (just in case you are wondering, I passed!).

This subject very quickly became a favourite, as the second day of semester we were in our green overalls, with our hands on the university's cattle. Definitely an understatement to say I was excited to see where the subject was headed. It's not all hands on interactive learning though; there is still the fair share of days where your head is deep in the books. With a 30 hour contact timetable, there isn't much down time during the week. Weekends come around fast and disappear at an even faster rate.

Everyone here is so supportive, everyone in my course is great, and it is definitely a different atmosphere to school. Admittedly, it took me a few weeks to settle in, but now that I am in the swing of things and have established a routine I can have a plan for my week. There are people from all places (even Kenya!), all types of schools and all types of interests. A lot of people are from selective, boarding schools or private high schools both in the city and country, but they don't seem to mind when I tell them about our little town and how we only had roughly 40 people in our year 12 last year.

Even when things get hard, never have I had a sense of regret surrounding a public school education. I have never been shy to tell my classmates that I come from Yass, or Yass High. It is a great place, and I can confidently say I was equipped with the necessary toolbox for university.

If it wasn't for the all the staff at Yass High, I could honestly say I wouldn't have the opportunity to write such an exciting email. University used to be such a daunting concept but not anymore.

Rachel McLucas - 2013 Yass High graduate