University: The University of Western Australia

Undergraduate Course: Bachelor of Science, Physiology and Business Law

School Subjects: Mathematics Specialist, Mathematics Methods, English, Chemistry, Physics

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Initially, I entered university with Physiology as my sole major with the goal to do Medicine postgrad. However, I came to realise that this pathway didn’t align with my academic interests and professional aspirations. At the same time, I also had an assured pathway to a Juris Doctor (i.e. law postgrad) which led me to also pick up Business Law. I also recommend having a flexible approach when choosing your majors, especially if you’re tossing up multiple options like I was.

Physiology

Beyond basic middle school science, I essentially had to build my biological knowledge from the ground up. This proved particularly challenging as I naturally gravitate toward theoretical concepts rather than rote memorization, which is often essential in biological sciences. The program’s content moves rapidly while simultaneously being repetitive in certain aspects. For someone completely new to the field, this dual nature created substantial learning difficulties. I highly recommend working alongside friends in the same major. Like many students, I found just watching online lectures and independent reading difficult to grasp the concept. Forming study groups provides motivation, fills knowledge gaps, and makes attending classes more engaging and overalls enhances the uni experience.

Physiology’s content itself differs substantially from fields like physiotherapy. The focus is microscopic – examining cellular processes like osmosis, hormonal interactions, and system-wide biological mechanisms. With 2-3 weekly lectures per unit (varying by year level), numerous labs, and regular tutorials, it’s undoubtedly one of the more demanding biomed courses in terms of content volume and complexity.

Like a lot of people, I did not spend much thought on which major I wanted to do, and to be honest, I don’t think it is very important too. Especially for JD, it does not matter which major you did in your undergraduate. Even if you want to do MD, it does not matter which undergraduate you do, but I do think it is important to do a pre-med course that would give you a good understanding of human biology, before starting med school. If you are determined to get into medical school, it is very important to choose a major you would do well and enjoy, because GPA counts as a big part of your score to get into med.

Business Law

While there is no specific undergraduate major for a JD postgrad, I chose Business Law as a second major to introduce myself to legal knowledge. My initial interest in law stemmed from my fascination with the philosophical debates surrounding legal outcomes, as well as my positive experiences participating in mock trials during high school, which gave me my first exposure to the legal field. However, it was during my internship at a family law firm that I discovered a deeper motivation—the profound impact of helping clients navigate their most challenging moments. There’s a unique sense of fulfillment in guiding someone through a difficult period and witnessing how legal advocacy can genuinely transform lives.

Undergraduate law units present substantial academic challenges, characterised by: 

Generally, the Business law content itself is fairly straightforward but there is just a lot of it. I highly recommend being time efficient especially if you are balancing commitments aside from your degree. Exams are particularly rigorous as you have to be quick in reading comprehension and writing.

For those considering a Juris Doctor (JD), I highly recommend undertaking a Business Law major at the undergraduate level. Many regard it as the closest preparation for the rigors of JD studies. That said, be prepared for a noticeable shift in grading standards—JD programs are significantly more demanding, and maintaining a high GPA becomes far more challenging. 

Through conversations with industry professionals, I’ve come to recognize several misconceptions about law that deserve clarification: 

  1. Financial Realities: Contrary to popular belief, law is not a guaranteed path to wealth—at least not in Australia or the UK. While lawyers earn above-average incomes, substantial financial rewards typically come only after reaching partnership level. If financial gain is your primary motivator, fields like engineering or FIFO (fly-in, fly-out) roles often offer better returns for the effort required. The demanding nature of legal education and practice simply isn’t worth it unless you genuinely enjoy the work. 
  2. Law School Prestige Matters Less Than You Think: Unless you graduate from an elite institution like Oxford or Harvard, the law school you attend has minimal impact on your career trajectory. In practice, you’ll collaborate with talented lawyers from a wide range of universities—Murdoch, UTS, Curtin, and others. What truly matters is how you apply your education. 
  3. GPA Is Paramount: While firms may emphasize the importance of personality and extracurricular involvement during recruitment, the reality is that your academic performance carries the most weight. Law firms prioritize hiring candidates who can deliver immediate value at the associate level—your ability to analyse cases, draft precise arguments, and manage workloads efficiently will always outweigh unrelated extracurricular achievements. 

A legal career is deeply rewarding for those passionate about the field, but it requires realistic expectations. Success hinges on dedication, intellectual rigor, and a genuine interest in the law’s societal role—not just prestige or potential earnings. If you’re considering this path, focus on cultivating strong academic foundations and seek experiences that confirm your commitment to the profession. 

Getting Involved in Uni Clubs (ACYA)

I highly recommend joining uni clubs to meet new people. For example, I am part of ACYA which is focused on cultivatinga vibrant transnational community of young Australians and Chinese who share a commitment to deepening mutual understanding between our two countries. I am privileged to serve as ACYA’s president.

Being part of a club’s committee is highly rewarding as you get to organise many events. For ACYA, we organise 6 to 7 events centred on Chinese culture and these events are centred around careers, education, culture, and people-to-people connections. A committee is made up of 18 to 20 members with each person contributing unique skills to make for an engaging club as some help with events planning, marketing or sponsorship operations. Although joining a uni club does demand commitment and time, I highly believe every challenge faced because of it has been highly worthwhile. You will meet likeminded people and form genuine relationships. Joining a club as well will look favourable on your CV, especially for ones that are related to your career of choice e.g. if you are interested in consulting, consider applying for 180DC or WAUC. Or if you’re interested in a finance career, apply for UWA SMIF or QFin.

Conclusion 

At the end of the day, your major is just one part of your academic journey. What matters more is how you leverage it to build skills, explore interests, and position yourself for future opportunities—whether in law, medicine, or beyond.