A Rockhampton family is reaping the benefits of a unique university program and there'll be downstream advantages for younger students coming through the system...

As part of CQUniversity's SUN (Start Uni Now) program, Heights College year 12 student Hannah May has been studying subjects which are part of the Bachelor of Learning Management (BLM) program, while still in school.

Isaac, Hannah and Wendy May are enthusiastic about CQUniversity's SUN programIt's a trend that has become increasingly popular amongst year 11 and 12 students in recent years and one that Hannah's brother, Isaac, knows all too well.

Isaac completed a course from the BLM program last year while he was in year 12 and he has since enrolled full-time in the university program.

"It made it easier to ease into university studies and gave me a sense of security that I was part of the university community already," said Isaac, who has plans to become a secondary school teacher.

Isaac believes it is also more cost effective to start uni while still in school.

"The courses are significantly less expensive when you study them as part of a SUN program. I also have a lighter course load which means that my first semester has been less stressful while I've become accustomed to life as a uni student."

With her perspective as a primary school teacher, mother Wendy May commended the program as a great opportunity for high school students to ease into university life.

"If they decide to do a university course, it's less daunting to begin because they have had contact with the university personnel and procedures and have experienced the demands of tertiary learning and assessment," Wendy said.

"The university communicates with the student directly rather than through parents and, therefore, they have the experience of being accountable for their own coursework."

Following in their mother's footsteps, both Hannah and Isaac have decided to work in the education sector as teachers.

CQUni's SUN program is helping Isaac and Hannah May move forward into teaching careers."I've seen my mum teach and I've been taught by her. She cares about her students. I've also been inspired by some really dedicated teachers who have taken the time to relate to me as a student and a person," said Hannah, who believes good student-teacher relationships are really important in the classroom.

"Children learn well when they know you care about them and how they learn. It is important to teach in a way that meets different learning styles."

Wendy said Isaac and Hannah decided to pursue teaching as a career independently of her, but was pleased they did.

"Teaching has the capacity to significantly impact the next generation, so I am pleased that they see it as a worthwhile career path. They are both gifted in this area."

Commenting on the highlights of being a teacher, Wendy said it's about ‘making a difference in people's lives, relating to students and seeing them develop, change and break through'.

"It's amazing to see kids when they have those ‘aha' moments when they finally understand something, or to see them develop a love of learning."