I had passed my Higher School Certificate with grades above
that required to gain entry to most tertiary courses. I was slightly
disappointed that I received 79 per cent for English, missing out
on an A by 1per cent. That was because I still refused to accept
that I was different. Later on, the achievement really sank in.
It was a very satisfying result.
The next problem was course selection. I really did not know
what I wanted to do. We had all been preoccupied with my illness,
and had given little thought to my future career. When the subject
was broached, I found it difficult to decide.
The form read Bachelor of Science Education at the University
of Melbourne. Obviously I had not selected a highly specific course,
as I was in the middle of intensive treatment when the form was submitted. I simply
wanted to try further studies at Melbourne where Linda was,
in the subjects I found easiest to cope with - the sciences.
I had succeeded.
I was looking forward to University, and all of the new
experiences that it would offer.
The flash of the camera signalled the end of what had been
a long enrolment process. Everything seemed so foreign to me,
as I suppose it did to all of the first-year students filling the
hall. I had only just recently revealed my newly grown hair to
public life, and this identification photograph would serve as a
reminder of my crewcut days, throughout the next four years
of study.
