School to cool: how to transition from secondary school to uni successfully
THE transition from secondary school to university can be a daunting yet exciting experience. Here are five ways to survive your first year.
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IT WAS the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was the age of wisdom and, for uni students the world over, it was the age of rocking up to class late. Dickens’ really knew how the modern day university student would operate but being tardy isn’t something to strive for.
Universities operate very differently to secondary schools and the leap from Year 12 to first year uni can be scary and exciting in equal amounts.
While there’s a greater emphasis on taking more responsibility for your studies — how you organise your time and manage your workload for example — you shouldn’t feel like you’re out on your own.
Here are five things to look out for while transiting to uni, plus some helpful student tips.
1. Freedom
Welcome to first year — freedom is your new best friend! You might be living away from home for the first time, you might have a dream timetable with lots of ‘free’ time — everything about university has put a spring into your step and you can even go to class in your pyjamas — what’s not to love? But with all this new-found independence comes responsibility and some hefty consequences if you don’t check yourself.
As the old wise owl says, Ps get degrees — and they do. But if you want to apply to graduate school, or for prestigious work placements or internships that require transcripts, your grades matter. Don’t limit your opportunities by doing the bare minimum in your first year.
Student tip
“One of the biggest things to get used to in first year, is the fact that there’s no one enforcing deadlines or taking note of whether you’re paying attention in class — you’re on your own, literally. If you’re doing an Arts degree you’re likely to have two major papers worth 50 per cent each and that’s all your assessment — now that’s freedom! In this context, it’s very easy to forget you even have homework to do, but those deadlines will creep up quickly. Keep a schedule and set aside time at least two weeks before your paper is due to start working on it.”
Alessandra, media graduate.
2. Coping with information overload
At university you will only have four classes to worry about if you opt for a full-time load. This means information overload is rarely a problem unless you are disorganised, or fail to take notes. In some ways, this sort of schedule is easier to cope with than high school but only if you approach the first year with some serious organisation skills. You should also have to set aside time to study the new concepts you are learning in class.
Student tip
“First year classes are usually full on. You will be thrown in the deep end usually without little help and sent to write a 5,000 word essay or complete a report without the hand-holding you might be used to in high school. Remember, everyone is in the same boat. If you’re struggling, take advantage of additional writing classes or tutoring sessions offered on campus or, ask your tutor or professor for assistance or clarification. You will be thrown a lot of information, especially in lectures. Take careful notes and find out if lectures are recorded. If so, you have a great resource at your fingertips.”
Elizabeth, second year media student.
3. Keep motivated
No one is going to force you to go to your 9am Monday morning lecture; you don’t have to answer to anyone but yourself and the quicker you learn this, the better. It’s important to remember that by going to university you are investing in yourself and your future. If you’re passionate or at least interested in what you’re studying, self-motivation will come easier. During those difficult times try to set goals for yourself (with rewards of course) in order to get your assessments done. If you enjoy volunteering, playing a sport or having a hobby, don’t give them up. These activities will force you to focus your available time on the work you have to do and can act as rewards once you get said work done.
Student tip
“Setting goals at the beginning of semester for your GPA helps you maintain focus and motivation. You might like to work towards going on exchange, or getting into graduate studies or becoming attractive to employers. Also surrounding yourself with high achieving students keeps you on track and is a positive kind of peer pressure.”
Dominic, second year engineering student.
4. Managing your workload
On paper, you might be surprised at how little contact time you have. You’ll have weekly tutorials on top of a few lectures. But don’t be fooled though, lecturers expect you to be doing a lot of the legwork yourself and reading throughout the semester, which is very different to cramming just before exams. After your first year, you can also decide to take two challenging classes and two easier subjects per semester, for example, if you want to allocate more time to volunteering or hobbies that you’ve been neglecting.
Student tip
“Don’t take on more than you can, especially during your first year. It is tempting to want to be involved in everything and take a full course load, but it’s often impossible. Much of the first year is spent tired, stressed and overwhelmed if you’re not on top of things! During my undergraduate degree I spent my first year trying out groups and activities I was interested in. By second year, I found something on campus, an international volunteer organisation, that I was passionate about and dedicated my time to that rather than overcomitting and then being overwhelmed by school and outside activities.”
Amanda, IT graduate.
5. 24/7 socialising
University offers you the chance to meet people from all over city and of course, the world. Introducing yourself at least once a day will be the norm, and for first year at least, university will feel like a constant social whirlwind with a couple of lectures thrown in. While it’ll take a while to settle into a new routine, remember you’re at uni to study. O Week, as tempting as it sounds, shouldn’t last the whole year.
Student tip
“It’s tempting to party it up the first semester. It’s a great way to meet new people, your classmates and make new friends. But remember that it will also take its toll on your wellbeing and your course work. Try to limit your nights out. Uni night is usually Thursday so that might be the weeknight you choose to go out and Saturday night, for example. Either way, university is a great time to socialise and have fun but keep in mind the impact it will have on your studies and on yourself if you’re out more nights than you’re in. You need to factor in homework and of course, rest.”
Michael, second year, IT student.
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