Aspiring Griffith psychologist accepted into University of Wollongong honours program

Tilly Ryan, a Griffith-based recent year 12 graduate, has finally emerged from the shadow of her illustrious sister Alice, a local influencer and political strategist.

Tilly received an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) score of 85, one of the highest in her class of 2022 at Murrumbidgee Regional High. This meant she was accepted into the honours program for a Bachelor of Psychology degree at the University of Wollongong, which she starts in February.

While Alice is well known in town for her graphic design skills and million-plus views on social media platforms, she expects even bigger things of her baby sister.

“She’s the high achiever. I’m afraid I’m now the one in her shadow,” Alice said.

Region caught up with Tilly after she’d attended a free ”settling into uni” seminar at the Griffith Country University Centre, where prospective students are taught about what to expect when they begin their tertiary studies. We profiled her as part of our series on year 12 graduates doing exciting things in 2023.

Name: Tilly Ryan.

Age: 18.

Schools: Griffith North (primary), Murrumbidgee Regional High School (Wade site).

Best memory of school: I really enjoyed the last week of year 12, that was memorable.

Naughtiest thing you ever did at school: Nicely decorating the school in my last week.

One thing you’d change about the education system: More mental health support for people. I’d also like to see more collaboration between the Wade and Griffith sites at Murrumbidgee Regional High School. More communication between the teachers and building bonds between the students in the senior years would be good.

Role model: My mum, Jo Ryan. I’m doing psychology and she’s a psychologist. I’ve been inspired by all her hard work. Jo is also studying remotely through the Country University Centre.

Famous person you most admire and why: Alice Ryan, my sister, she’s going to be a famous influencer one day.

Plans for next year: I’m heading off to the University of Wollongong, where Alice is also living, to do psychology.

Social issue you most care about: Mental health for young people and the need for more services in Griffith.

Best advice you ever got from your parents: Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.

Special skills: I think I have good intuition, that’s what made me go into psychology.

Dream career job: Having a TV show and being the Griffith version of Dr Phil [Phillip McGraw, an American psychologist who hosts a long-running television show named after himself where he provides advice to guests].

For more information on the free seminars at the Leeton and Griffith Country University Centre, visit their events website.

If you know of a year 12 graduate doing exciting things in 2023, drop us a line at [email protected].