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– By Sarah Koay
First time moving away from home to study in a new country? Here are some handy tips for first-year university students (‘freshers’).
Attend Orientation Week
As a fresher, make sure not to miss out on Orientation Week, which is jam packed with activities just for you. Explore campus with student hosts to familiarize yourself with the university grounds and get tips from your host for making the most out of student life.
Clubs and societies day is held during orientation week and is a great opportunity to check out the different clubs available. Sign up for as many as you like and see which suits you best – plus, free goodies!
Get Involved
Getting involved in the community – both at university and out of it – gives you a platform to develop your interests and meet people from all around the world. Not only that, it can help you settle into your new environment faster.
If you’re looking for opportunities outside of university, consider volunteering. Organisations such as Salvation Army, Red Cross and AUG Student Services are always looking for volunteers, and welcome individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Explore Your University’s Support Services
Each university offers a range of different support services, so familiarize yourself with these services. Most of them are free (the costs are included in your student fees) and readily accessible. For example, the Academic Skills department can help you to polish up your writing skills and develop effective ways to articulate your ideas. The Legal Service, on the other hand, offers students legal assistance in a variety of areas, from rentals to discrimination
Living away from home for the first time can also be socially and emotionally challenging, particularly during the first few months. The university’s counseling service can help get you back on track and provide relevant advice. Rest assured that all students’ privacy is protected.
How To Save Money
This is arguably every university student’s finest skill and comes as no surprise, considering how high the cost of living in Australia actually is. Cooking is a great way to cut costs, plus hone your culinary skills. Most of my friends (and myself) cook food in large batches, refrigerate leftovers and reheat it for their next meal. You can also find relatively cheap eats around campus.
Moreover, your student is a handy tool. Use it to get subsidized rates to movies and art galleries; and free entry to museums, such as the Melbourne Museum. All you have to do is present your student card at the ticket counter.
Many students make extra pocket money by working part time, such as in retail, cafes, and so on. Keep in mind that many people are also on the hunt for jobs, so don’t feel disheartened if you don’t get the response you wanted – don’t give up! Overall, be sure that you don’t overload your schedule as the demands of university usually increase as the semester progresses.
Part Time Work
Many students make extra pocket money by working part time, such as in retail, cafes, and so on. Keep in mind that many people are also on the hunt for jobs, so don’t feel disheartened if you don’t get the response you wanted – don’t give up! Overall, be sure that you don’t overload your schedule as the demands of university usually increase as the semester progresses.
General Tips
Most importantly, adopt an open-minded approach! You’ll be meeting people from different walks of life and exploring a culture different from your own. Don’t worry about thriving in your new environment immediately – take time to adjust, and make learning and self-growth a priority over results.
