Aussie university student reveals surprising perk of studying online

What started out as a sneaky trend among Aussies who work from home has now been taken up by university students.

An increasing number of young Aussies are choosing to forgo the classic university experience and complete their degree online instead.

Instead of living on campus and sitting in lecture halls, they are attending classes remotely from the comfort of their own homes.

Even for those completing university the traditional way, there are increasing opportunities to engage in their studies remotely, with lectures often recorded and classes available to attend via Zoom.

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As a result, university students are finding they have a lot more flexibility with their days and they are becoming creative with how they can make the most out of these very 2024 freedoms.

By now you have probably heard of the ‘hush trip’ or ‘quiet vacationing’ trend which has emerged as a result of an increasing number of people having the ability to work remotely.

It is when those who work from home decide to take a holiday without having to book in annual leave by bringing their laptop and working remotely from their vacation destination without telling their boss.

And it seems that Gen Zers are leading the charge on the trend, with recent research from specialised recruitment agency, Robert Half, finding 40 per cent of young workers would consider taking a hush trip.

Of the 1000 full-time Aussie office workers surveyed, 17 per cent of Gen Zers said they had already taken a sneaky holiday while working their regular hours.

With online higher education becoming more mainstream, young Aussies are now able to take a similar approach while completing their studies.

Queensland local Taylah Maree is a university student who is completing a Bachelor of Creative Industries, majoring in Visual Communication and Fashion Communication, online.

The 23-year-old has previously gone on holidays during the university semester where she took her laptop so she could still attend classes.

“When I’ve taken my laptop on holiday, I’ve been able to attend classes through Zoom, which really made balancing uni and travel possible,” she told news.com.au.

“I could still participate in lectures and discussions, but I structured my day to set aside some focused time for uni, allowing me to then fully enjoy holiday activities.”

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Taylah Maree loves the flexibility that comes with completing her degree online. Picture: @taylahmaree/TikTok

It has allowed her to go on holidays during the semester while still listening to lectures and attending class online. Picture: @taylahmaree/TikTok

Taylah loves the flexibility that comes with studying online, however, she still prefers to plan most of her holidays during the university breaks so she can completely unwind.

“Studying online has taught me to manage my time more independently, and I love the freedom it gives me to explore interests outside of academics as well,” she said.

“That said, I think having set study routines and boundaries is key to making sure I’m still progressing in my degree, even with the freedom online study offers.”

For students who might be thinking of booking in a cheeky mid-semester trip, travel booking site, Mix & Match, revealed a popular time is November, as it is cheaper to travel ahead of the December Christmas break.

Unsurprisingly, Bali is one of the most popular destinations, given the short travel time and value for money for cash-strapped students.

Outside of short-haul trips to New Zealand, Bali is the site’s most searched for international destination for flight bookings, according to Mix & Match Group Marketing Manager, Ashley Andrew.

In order to help young Aussies further realise their travel dreams, Mix & Match is offering $100 off international flights for students.

“Mix and Match online travel are excited to launch Student Flight Deals, helping students save up to $100* on international return flights. Compare airlines easily, find the best fares, and fly now, pay later with Afterpay,” Ms Andrew said.

New research from Finder has found there is a stark generational divide when it comes to holiday aspirations.

Finder’s Consumer Sentiment Tracker revealed 54 per cent of Australians are planning a holiday in the next 12 months.

Gen Z and Millennials are far more likely to prioritise travel, with two in three of those surveyed planning a trip within the next year.

This is much greater than the older generations, with less than half of Gen X and Baby Boomers hitting the road in the next 12 months.

Young Australians are also more likely to book a holiday they can’t afford, with 35 per cent of Gen Zers and 22 per cent of Millennials admitting to doing just that.

This is compared to just 11 per cent of Gen Xers and 1 per cent of Baby Boomers.

Angus Kidman, travel expert at Finder, said it is clear that young Australians are prioritising experiences over material possessions, with travel being at the top of the list.

“This generation is all about living life to the fullest, even if that means stretching the budget,” he said.

For those looking to travel on a tight budget, Mr Kidman suggests starting by setting realistic goals and creating a detailed itinerary.

“Flexibility really helps. Departures on a Tuesday or a Wednesday are often cheaper, so play around with your leave dates,” he said.

“Don’t pay for more checked baggage than you actually need. I routinely do a three-day trip with just 7kg to carry on-board, and that includes a laptop.”

Mr Kidman also suggests checking for more affordable accommodation options, cooking your own meals rather than dining out, and seeking out free activities.

“Using points to pay for flights can also save you heaps. I often use this for last-minute trips,” he said.

“Travel doesn’t have to be expensive. There are plenty of budget-friendly destinations and ways to explore the world without breaking the bank.”