Was It Worth Studying? Reflecting After Paying Off My HECS Debt

It’s a strange feeling, finally paying off my HECS debt after 13 years. There’s no fanfare, no letter in the mail, just a quiet shift in my payslip. But to me, it means more than clearing a balance. It marks the end of a long chapter that began in a small rural town, where studying anything outside mining or farming was seen as a waste of time.

I grew up in the kind of place where people are practical. There’s value in hard work, and education is respected, but only if it leads to a job the community understands. From early on, I knew I was interested in digital art and design. I started 3D modelling when I was 14, teaching myself from online forums and experimenting late into the night. It clicked with me, not just the visual side, but the technical challenge of building something interactive and alive.

Unfortunately, the school system didn’t see value in what I was doing. They had a narrow idea of success, one that mostly applied to students from long-established local families. Academic achievement was encouraged, but only for those already seen as “belonging.” I wasn’t one of them. I was a blow-in, someone outside the inner circles of the town and that label followed me. I was told, more than once, that I was only “good for” farming. That kind of judgement sticks, especially when it comes from the people meant to guide your future.

When it came time to choose subjects for year 11 and 12, I aimed for those that would support university entry. Despite having strong academic achievements, I was discouraged from taking key university-prep subjects. The message was clear, I wouldn’t be able to keep up, a judgement made without considering my actual performance.

Higher maths became a particular point of contention. I was managing the work, completing tasks by hand, and passing assessments. But because I didn’t have a graphics calculator, something we couldn’t afford at the time, the school used that as grounds to push me out of the class. It wasn’t a matter of ability, it was a decision based on assumptions about my background and access to resources.

Thankfully, one teacher recognised what was happening. They stepped in and helped me get a calculator. That support allowed me to stay in the subject and continue on a path that would eventually lead to university. I’ll always be grateful for that act and that calculator remains one of my most valued possessions.

There were a small number of teachers like that. They saw past local politics and personal bias. In an environment where academic opportunities were often reserved for local students, their encouragement gave me the chance to grow. Without their support, it would have been far harder to break through the barriers built into the system.

Because I didn’t have the usual subject background, I couldn’t rely on traditional entry requirements. Instead, I got in through my portfolio, a collection of 3D models, small games, and digital art I’d made on my own. It wasn’t perfect, but it showed that I could build things, solve problems, and learn on my own.

University was a fresh start and moved across Australia for it. I treated it seriously, knowing how hard I’d worked just to get there. I focused on game design, but more than that, I focused on building a solid base of creative and technical skills. I learned how to collaborate, how to plan, and how to turn ideas into something real. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.

When I graduated in 2012, the job market was shaky. Game design is a niche field in Australia, however with several major studios closing at the time, There weren’t many roles, and competition was tough. A lot of people I studied with either left the field or moved overseas. I didn’t want to give up, but I also had to be realistic.

I looked at where my skills could transfer, not just in gaming, but in any industry using 3D environments, interactivity, and storytelling. That’s how I found my way into immersive technologies. It wasn’t the path I’d imagined at 14, but it was still deeply creative and engaging. I got to work on projects that involved virtual reality, simulation, and interactive experiences, all using the foundation I’d built in game design.

Now that I’ve paid off my HECS debt, I’ve been thinking a lot about what study gave me. Not just the qualification, but the mindset. Studying gave me structure. It gave me time to practise, fail, get feedback, and improve. But the degree alone wouldn’t have been enough. I had to go beyond the assignments and keep making things on my own. I had to show people what I could do.

That’s the part I think people don’t talk about enough. Especially in creative careers, a course won’t hand you a job. What it can give you is space to grow if you use it well.

If you’re thinking about studying something creative, my biggest advice is to start doing the work now. Don’t wait for a course to give you permission. There are incredible resources online, from tutorials to communities where you can share your work, get advice, and learn.

Also, research the course and institution carefully. Not every degree is created equal. Talk to past students. Look at graduate work. Ask yourself what you want to leave the course with, a showreel, a network, a portfolio and check if the course supports that.

And importantly, understand the cost. HECS helps make study possible and was my lifeline to higher education, but it’s still a debt. You’re investing years of your life and tens of thousands of dollars. Make sure what you’re studying is helping you grow towards your vision

Even now, with a degree and a career, I’m still learning. The tech world moves fast, and creative tools evolve constantly. I still watch tutorials. I still prototype new ideas. I still ask questions. Whether you study formally or not, that mindset is what matters most, the willingness to keep growing, keep learning, and stay curious.

For me, studying was absolutely worth it, not because it was easy or profitable right away, but because it gave me a foundation. It helped me prove myself in a world where it would have been easier to stay quiet and let others define my potential.

If you’re surrounded by people who don’t understand or support your vision, keep going anyway. Find your people, build your work, and let your progress speak for itself.

From a small rural town to working in immersive technologies, the journey wasn’t smooth. But it was mine. And looking back, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Thank you for reading, and if you found a part of this useful. Share so it can help others.

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