The third-year student continues: "It may sound funny, but studying at university was never something I considered. I was not the most academic high school student and I just did what I had to do to pass. Only just before university enrolments were closing, I decided that I was going to give it a go. I took the opportunity to show people that you don’t have to be the most academic student to pursue an academic career. I chose a degree that matched my personal strengths."
Live at home and save money
"The choice of studying at the University of Waikato in Tauranga was easy. I didn't want to spend the rest of my life paying off a student loan and because I am from Tauranga I can live at home and save money. I love Tauranga and this way I didn’t have to leave my hometown", says Taylor.
Taylor finds it an advantage that the Tauranga campus is small. "Although there are students from various institutes who follow different studies, you still get to know everyone. I made friends for life."
Scholarships help along the way
In 2013 Taylor won the University of Waikato's Māori Excellence Scholarship. Later in that year he also won a scholarship from his iwi Ngāti Ranginui. "I was also offered a membership to the Golden Key International Honours Society, which I accepted. This means that I now even have access to international scholarships." The Golden Key Society is an international non-profit organisation, which is committed to recognising and promoting academic achievement.
He would recommend students to visit the Tauranga Careers and Business Expo. "When I was still at Otumoetai College, I visited the Expo. I experienced it as a place full of information. People can take advantage of this in order to make sure that they set themselves up for the best possible future."
The University of Waikato will be at the Tauranga Careers and Business Expo, TECT Arena, Baypark Stadium on Friday 8 August from 9am-4pm and Saturday 9 August from 9.30am-3.30pm.