It’s that time of year again.
Right now, Australian uni students split into two groups; forming a rivalry as cutthroat as that between New South Wales and Queensland during State of Origin.
The first group posses a unique skill- the ability to exude a level of excitement that Buddy the Elf would envy. They strut their way into Big W in search of all the latest offerings from Papermate and fill their trolleys with oodles of Spirax notebooks, highlighters, sticky notes and magnetic whiteboards, ready for another year of studying hard with the help of colour coded organisation systems.
And then there’s the rest of us. The ones who shed their summer skin to reveal their Incredible Hulk like form at the mere mention of that three letter word.
Now let’s not pretend here- I’ve only been on board the Uni train for 12 months so I am in no place to give advice. However, in that time I’ve learned many things- both in my degree and in life and maybe- just maybe- it will be of some use to someone.
If you are starting University this year and don’t know what to expect, don’t fret- I am here to help with yet another instalment of my mediocre advice.
1. Pack Light
You my friend, are in for a major existential crisis.
Over the coming weeks you will slowly realise how terrified you are- whether you admit this to yourself or not.
In my (little) experience, the first symptoms of the crisis come about once you realise how different University is to High School.
As I awaited the start of my first lecture in the back row of this big hall on my first day, one thing I observed was how much stuff people were lugging around. I saw a sea of Macbooks and stacks of notebooks piled on the teeny tiny tables that seemed so confusing to my small brain.
My one tip for you in your first week, is that you do not need to carry around absolutely everything you plan to use. One notebook, a pen, and a spare will suffice. Packing light will take the literal, and figurative weight off your shoulders- you have enough to carry as it is.
2. Ask
In my small high school, everybody knew everybody.
At uni, I’ve found it to be rare that I see the same person twice whilst walking around campus.
If you are completely lost, just ask someone- even if the answer is obvious and you are embarrassed beyond belief, you will probably never see that person again so newsflash- it doesn’t matter.
3. Money Money Money
Hopefully this information isn’t brand new to you, but Uni is expensive.
You need to think about text books and course materials, transport costs, parking permits, food, living expenses if you’re moving out, and many other things which will be specific to your University and degree.
It can be super helpful to give yourself a budget for the start of uni, just to give you an idea of the initial costs that need to be covered. This is something I didn’t do and while my expenses weren’t anywhere near as high as I chose not to move out, I definitely wish I did this.
If you are having trouble, don’t hesitate to contact your university- they are there to help you.
4. Friends
If like me, you weren’t blessed with the social butterfly gene, making friends can be quite a daunting task.
My best advice for meeting new people would be to attend as many events as possible. Attend O Week, go to parties, go to showcases, and get to your first lectures early to chat to people outside before you head in. People in the same degrees obviously have at least one similar interest, so use this as a way to get to know your peers.
With that being said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with taking your time or going solo- do whatever makes you feel safe and comfortable.
Just remember that everyone at Uni is in the same boat, so you might as well try your best to have fun while you’re there.
5. It Gets Better
For the first three weeks of Uni, I was having the time of my life.
I had started the degree I had wanted to study since I was 13 and everything was going swimmingly.
But unbeknownst to me, there was a scary thought circling in the back of my head.
“This isn’t right.”
This thought kept growing and growing whilst I was working hard and making friends, and then one day this thought became an idea- one that I couldn’t shake.
One afternoon I came home and poured out my heart and soul to my Mum who had no idea what to do.
It’s a feeling that I couldn’t put into words- whilst I was enjoying myself, there was a part of me that felt like I’d made the biggest mistake of my life. I felt like I was trapped and tied down to something that I didn’t even want.
It got to the point where no matter how much people tried to persuade me, I was convinced that I would take a break after the first semester and look into other career paths.
But low and behold, that idea slowly but surely fizzled out. When it came time for semester two I stepped in with no caution and had the time of my life.
At the start of November, I received my results for the second semester and was asked about them by one of my Mum’s friends at my younger siblings school presentation.
After reciting the grades that I was shocked to receive after the sheer pressure I had placed on myself, she said;
“And to think, you were going to quit.”
So when the tendrils of your first mid life crisis begin to tighten around your ankles, there is one thing I want you to remember.
It will get better. Keep pushing through, give it your all, and eventually you will forget why you even doubted yourself.
And with that, I wish you the best of luck.
Enjoy yourself- you’ve earned it.
Thanks
When I logged into WordPress an hour ago to start writing this impromptu piece, I received a notification telling me that today is this site’s first birthday.
I started AltVogue for me. I wanted a space where I could write freely, express my opinions, and fulfil my wildest creative aspirations. I never expected anyone to want to read anything, let alone appreciate my words in the way that they have.
I’ve had so many lovely comments on social media about these snapshots of my thoughts and it amazes me that a product of my boredom is able to even slightly entertain anyone.
Thank you for continuing to support this little hobby of mine- whether you are subscribed or you’ve simply read one post, your support truly means everything.
