Things every uni student should know

GET your student life off to a flying start with these 10 tips.

Moving into a shared place with a group of uni students means shared milk and instant friends.

UNIVERSITY is a whole new world, but get your first year right and it will set you up for an experience to remember.

Here are 10 things every first year student should know.

Moving into a shared place with a group of uni students means shared milk and instant friends.

1. Feeling homesick is normal

Moving away from family and friends to live and study in a new city can come as a shock, and perhaps a bigger one than expected. It’s only natural that you will feel homesick every now and again, especially during your first year. One way to counteract this is to speak to family and friends regularly (not just texting), and make an effort to get to know your new university or city; they will both feel like home soon enough.

2. You may be entitled to a bursary

You may be eligible for extra funding — check with your university once you arrive.

Enrolling into summer or winter school allows a light subject load during semester.

3. Sign up for summer/winter intensives

Many core subjects will be conducted over the summer and winter breaks as well as during semester. Signing up for these classes will allow you to take three classes during semester rather than four, which means you’ll have more time to spend at the library studying or at your internship or job.

Love eating chocolate by the block? A good reason to start a chocolate block lovers society.

4. You can create your own society

Running your own uni society or club is a rewarding thing to do, not to mention it looks great on your resume. Each university has their own process when it comes to starting your empire, but new submissions are usually considered just once a year. You’ll need to follow a pretty intense process which includes pitching your club idea to a committe.

First year is the time to think ahead - explore work experience or internships opportunities.

5. It’s never too early to think ahead

It’s absolutely fine to go with the flow in your first year and have your future in mind at the same time. Find out where the uni careers office is and speak to the advisers about work experience, internships and other opportunities. From writing for the student newspaper to helping at a legal helpline, now is the time to consider what relevant skills and experience you might need in the future.

6. Remember to enrol

This may seem like an odd one, but double check that you’re actually enrolled in the correct course and classes from day one.

First year does contribute towards your GPA - be sure to balance your studies and social life.

7. First year counts towards your GPA

You might have heard that your focus first year should be to have fun and make friends. You will have plenty of wonderful distractions but your first year of studies does count and contributes to your GPA. This means that when your average mark is calculated, your first year results make up part of the overall result you achieve at the end of your degree. Don’t lose heart just yet. You are at uni to earn your degree first and foremost, and working hard in your first year will also build good study habits that will serve you over the course of your undergraduate degree and beyond.

Transferring to another course is common and should be explored if you’re unhappy.

8. You can transfer courses

If you realise that your degree isn’t for you, it’s not the end of the world. You can apply to transfer to another course at your university or transfer to another university entirely. Usually, you will need to maintain a distinction average (70-75) and fulfil any prerequisites in order to be considered. Some of these prerequisites can be completed at university. For example, if you wanted to transfer into course with a prerequisite of Maths Methods, and you didn’t complete this subject in high school, you can often complete alternative subject such as Data Methods instead.

9. Save your electives

In each degree you will have between four and eight electives. A good strategy is to save these where possible, and take them in your final year. This will allow you to go on exchange and take classes which won’t necessarily align with your degree. You can also earn yourself a little breather by taking electives with a lighter course load (Wine Tasting and African Drumming, anyone?) in your final year and use that time to complete job or internship applications and attend interviews.

A semester abroad is a low cost way to fund your travels and cross off another credit.

10. You can borrow money to travel

At each degree level, you are entitled to receive two HECS loans of around $7,000 for each international study program. This can include exchange programs for a full semester or year, or intensive classes overseas. It’s a very low cost way to fund your travels with current interest payments around 2 per cent for graduates. Something to think about when you’re day dreaming of far away lands.