Thinking of going to uni or TAFE? Ask the hard questions now

Journalists are reporting on poor teaching (outdated notes and the ubiquitous use of Powerpoint). They're hunting down courses in technical areas such as multimedia, radio and TV that use outdated equipment.

Truth used to be called the first casualty in war. Now I fear it’s also a casualty in some university promotions.

No wonder some students get angry half way through the first semester of their program when they find out that their initial conception of the program or course is far from the truth.

After 20 years of funding cuts and organisational restructure after restructure, some universities feel more like the muddy battlefields of The Somme where the staff are "cowering in their trenches", afraid to develop new subjects or programs.

That's not a good environment for staff or students. It almost guarantees that the program (and possibly the university) will get a poor reputation and eventually crash and burn.

The answers to these questions will help prospective students make the choice that is right for them - and maybe save themselves a lot of money and hassle.

Once you've made your choice, ask yourself what you can do to contribute to university life. Believe me, they need you more than you need them.