Curious about what makes the Tuckwell Scholarship Program No Ordinary Scholarship?
This page brings the Tuckwell experience to life through heartfelt reflections from current Scholars. In their own words, Scholars from different cohorts share what it means to belong, to be supported, and to thrive—academically, personally, and socially.
Frequently asked questions
Got questions about about being a Tuckwell Scholar and spending time in Scholars House.
What does ‘no ordinary scholarship’ mean to you?
“No Ordinary Scholarship to me means the community. There are so many different people around the scholarship willing to support us, not only within Scholars House but also throughout the university.”
“I feel like it's more of a journey that I embark on with the other Scholars, because we learn together, we grow together, and we form so many memories.”
“The program goes above and beyond in a lot of ways to make the overall experience as smooth, impactful and fulfilling as possible, which is something that I'm extremely grateful for.”
“The largest benefit isn't just the money, but it's the programs and the communities.”
How would you describe the atmosphere amongst Tuckwell scholars?
“It's about joining a family, not a university program. It's about those really strong relationships of care and support and genuine interest and motivation in wanting you to succeed that I don't see anywhere else at university.”
“It was during the evening, and there was a bunch of Scholars, not just my year, but in the year above and the year below, and we were just baking brownies, and sitting on the couch and talking, and I thought that was very special because I got to become closer to people that were different ages to me.”
“There were people in the years above me, people in the years below me, and everyone was just able to have a chat. It was very easy and natural. There was no awkwardness in reintroducing yourself to people. And everyone was so easy-going.”
Can you describe the Tuckwell community?
“You could feel the community inside the house, you can see people from all around the university talking to each other. There are people from all sorts of degrees, all sorts of backgrounds, from the young scholars to the old scholars, all in one place.”
“The biggest thing that I've noticed is everyone always gives their time to each other.”
“Coming from Tasmania, I didn't know that many people at ANU, so having an established community was so important and very valuable.”
“There's these amazing connections and amazing people that you'll meet that you might not have met otherwise along with some pretty cool events like academic dinners where you get to invite and sit down with an academic.”
“You're never really out of place at Scholar's House.”
How does the program foster connections among Scholars across cohorts?
“We had all the different year levels coming together from fifth year down to first year, having a little bit of a party and a good time at the end of semester (event). I'll remember that for a long time. It was a great way to connect with Scholars across age ranges.”
“I’ve received a lot of unofficial support through the older scholars. I've had lots of friendships and mentor relationships with students that were in the year, two years above me, who have really helped guide my path through university.”
“Talking to older years has always been really enjoyable, you get the insights on their college experience living at uni, but also if they're in a similar degree to you, that's been really valuable.”
“I'll come in (to Scholars House) and I might ask a fifth year for help with an assignment, and they'll instantly stop what they're doing, give me a big smile, and sit me down and help me.”
How does the scholarship help you balance your academic and personal development/social life at university?
“I think... (the scholarship) captures the incredible balance of personal and professional that Tuckwell has brought to my life. It has this pull for people in the scholarship who are extraordinary in different ways and have become some of my closest friends and really family.”
“Genuine connections and a lot of opportunities have arisen in my academic life thanks to the scholarship. So, it's so much more than just an ordinary scholarship through money.”
“There's such a strong emphasis on you as a person and as an individual...it’s about how you can pursue your interests and live a full university life.”
“I'm always able to ask for advice. I learn so much about other disciplines, not just law. I love sitting down with friends who study science and chatting to them about it, and I just feel like I really get to push myself in my relationships and my studies.”
How does the program create a sense of belonging?
“Just being able to walk through those doors, see some presumptive friends...and feel a lot more at ease like you are coming home, the building is called Scholars House, it's meant to create that family environment and I've always felt just super comfortable, welcomed and at ease here.”
“It pulls in wonderful staff and connections and events. On the personal side, it has a home, Scholars House. I've made lifelong friends.”
“Knowing that we had so much support from staff and all the years above and everyone in our cohort before even coming to ANU, just knowing that throughout year 12, which was stressful, and then throughout the move because everyone is from interstate, that was really nice knowing that we have all that support.”
“You're surrounded by people who are all very like-minded in wanting to give back and have a positive contribution but do that in a vast array of different ways and through different degrees and personality types as well.”