A buzz of excitement surrounded CQU Emerald earlier this month, with new and continuing students commencing study. The bridging program- STEPS - has a record Emerald intake of 26 students.

STEPS - Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies - is a free course which commenced in Emerald in 1998. It has since been the foundation of many career starts and life changes.

The current Coordinator of CQU Emerald, Gai Sypher was a student in the inaugural year and has since completed a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters Degree with CQU.

Ms Sypher said she is very proud of her achievements and attributes her success to the STEPS program and the wonderful lecturers she has had at CQU Emerald.

Ms Sypher said the most rewarding aspect of her current position is to watch the life-changing characteristic that the STEPS program has for so many people.

There are numerous reasons why students may choose to study a university bridging program.

To gain an insight into this year's students, STEPS Coordinator and Lecturer, Jo Rosenblatt asked a few of the students their reasons for choosing the program.

"I decided to do STEPS to prove to myself that childhood demons can be slain and new opportunities can be taken to reach dreams previously thought to be unattainable.  This can be done at any age," says Justine.

According to Josh: "I chose to do STEPS because I never finished my senior years of high school and want to have a future and a good job. This will help me to get where I want to go with Uni, which is Engineering.  The STEPS program will also be a test for myself to be committed to something and really stick with it."

Jennifer says: "I chose to do STEPS to stimulate my brain and memory functions and perhaps give me the confidence to apply for further studies in 2009."

The record number of 2008 STEPS students will positively reflect on next year's undergraduate intake.  Student enrolment has been in decline at the Emerald Campus for a number of years and to reverse this trend, a decision was made last year to increase program offerings at Emerald.

In addition to the STEPS program, students can now complete the Bachelor of Accounting degree internally as well as the Bachelor of Learning Management.  Emerald also offers the Uni-Link program designed to give Year 11 and 12 students an insight into both University pressure and pleasure.

Local staff are excited and positive about the future of CQU Emerald and are looking forward to a productive year ahead.