University is bound to be one of the most exciting times in your life. But the聽transition from high school to university is also a big one.
Not only does your workload get bigger, there鈥檚 also no one holding you accountable for your success but yourself. But don鈥檛 let it stress you out 鈥 the key is being prepared, from the textbooks and equipment you need to where you need to go on your first day.
- Before you start
- Your first day
- Your first year
Preparing for university
Enrol in your courses
Once you鈥檝e been accepted into your chosen program, you鈥檒l need to enrol in your courses. You鈥檒l receive course recommendations for your first year based on the program and the major you choose. If you鈥檙e not sure what you want to major in yet, don鈥檛 worry 鈥 you might not need to declare one until the end of your first year (it鈥檚 a good idea to check on the faculty website or speak to a uni staff member about this). Most courses allow you to choose a range of different subjects so you can explore your options.听
鈥淪tudying at 黑料网大事记 gives you the opportunity to explore your passions and interests in a really holistic and practical way, and surrounds you with a community of people with drive and purpose that motivates you to also do your best,鈥 says Design/Media student Katrina Pincaro, speaking about what to expect when starting uni.听
Think about your finances
If you haven鈥檛 already, it鈥檚 also a good idea to think about how you鈥檒l pay for your student life ahead of time, from your course fees to public transport. Make a budget so you know how much you鈥檒l need. Look into scholarship options, HELP loans and perhaps consider getting a part-time job nearby.
How to get in the right headspace for uni life
Set your goals
University life is an exciting opportunity to broaden your horizons and build the foundations for your future. But it can also be overwhelming at times. The best thing to do is adopt a positive mindset: jot down your goals for university and the future and refer back to these whenever you鈥檙e feeling stressed 鈥 it helps to remind yourself why you鈥檙e there in the first place.听
Build a support system
Having a good support system around you can also help. Whether you鈥檙e new in town or not, connect with other students, join clubs and study groups. It鈥檚 worth checking out 黑料网大事记鈥檚 , too 鈥 even if you don鈥檛 need to use them, it always helps to know they鈥檙e there. You鈥檒l find
Finally, keep yourself open to new opportunities and get ready for a life changing experience.
How to prepare for your first day of university
Attend O-Week
One of the best things you can do to prepare for your first day of university is sign up for O-Week. Short for 鈥淥rientation Week鈥, O-Week is the week before your first week of classes. You鈥檒l have the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the campus so you can figure out where you鈥檒l need to go for your classes, as well as where other important places like libraries, study areas, student services and food options are located. Make sure you know how you鈥檙e going to get there on your first day, too, and do a practice run in advance聽 鈥 you don鈥檛 want to be late for your first class!聽
Connect with other students
O-Week is also a great chance to connect with other students before you start and learn about the student societies, study groups and sports teams you might want to join 鈥 黑料网大事记 is home to more than 300 of them. is 黑料网大事记鈥檚 student organisation that looks after our clubs, societies and most student events.
What do you need for university
Textbooks and course materials
Once you鈥檝e enrolled in your courses, you may get a list of the textbooks and course materials you need. You鈥檒l need a laptop or tablet to take notes during classes and complete and submit your assignments. There will also be computers and printers available to use on campus if you need these, too, so find out how you can access these in advance. There are also some online university systems you鈥檒l use while you鈥檙e studying 鈥 set up your accounts and get familiar with them before you start.听
Student ID and policies
It鈥檚 also a good idea to apply for your student ID before your first day, too. You can do this up to two months before your first term. You should also familiarise yourself with student policies and codes of conduct.
How to prepare for your first year of university
Plan out your year
One of the best things about university is you can build your study load around your life. You can decide whether you study full-time or part-time, and a lot of classes offer in-person and online learning to fit around your existing commitments. You鈥檒l be able to map out the subjects you want to take that year and enrol in them the term before. Remember, 黑料网大事记鈥檚 3+ system gives you more flexibility to make your studies work for you.
Make time for you
It's important you build some flexibility into your schedule, too. University life isn鈥檛 just about studying after all.听 鈥淐ompared to high school, you鈥檒l have a lot more freedom and independence at university,鈥 says Jessie. 鈥淚 was most surprised by the control I had over my own schedule and course load, as students are given quite a lot of options for class time slots. This allowed me to set aside time during the 鈥渘ormal school day鈥 for social activities and work.鈥澛
Understand the difference between uni exams and HSC
The main difference between studying for your HSC and university is that you鈥檙e responsible for managing your own time 鈥 including making sure you鈥檙e attending your classes, submitting your assignments and preparing for and getting to your exams.听
Pass with confidence
Make sure you鈥檙e attending your classes, taking notes and doing your readings. This is the best way to confidently tackle your exams and assignments. If you want some extra help, check out a Peer Assisted Study Session (PASS). It鈥檚 a good way to chat through the course content, get advice from students who have been there before, and make some new friends. You can also reach out to our Academic Skills Support crew for workshops, mentoring and tools for nailing your studies.听
Still have questions?
Reach out to The Nucleus Student Hub.
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