Things I wish I knew before starting university

Hi, it's Cassie and Caleb and we are undergrad students at the University with some tricks and tips to make it easier for you to settle into a new routine and develop effective study habits.

Study as fun by Cassie

The transition to uni is huge, so finding and making new friends in your classes or at an event is something you've got to step into. I found that forming a social community meant I was able to get together with other students and bounce ideas around which made learning and studying for assignments and exams easier and fun. Studying with others doesn't work for everyone all of the time and from my experience sometimes I need to study on my own. So, you’ve got to find a balance and figure out what works for you. Take it from me, putting yourself out there by going to events and joining university clubs is an incredibly scary step, but deciding to do it is just a step in itself.

The Writing Centre by Cassie

Soon you are going to get an assignment and you'll need to figure out how to get started. This is when you'll want to visit the Writing Centre. I visited them back in my first year of study because I had an idea about what I wanted to say in my assignment, but I didn't know how to go about it. The team at the Writing Centre gave me advice about how to break down the assignment into smaller, more manageable parts which helped get my point across in a way that was structured and clear. I understand that sometimes it's hard to get your thoughts out on paper, and that’s where the Writing Centre can help you gain the momentum to get going again, and again.

PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) by Caleb

PASS groups are for everyone, not just for those struggling with a subject. If you're doing well in a subject but want to find more effective ways to study and enhance your own learning by helping others, PASS is for you. PASS groups are run by experienced students who have achieved success in difficult courses, and the vibe is casual and collaborative because we're all trying to help each other. Also, from a social perspective, connecting with other people and learning together makes study relatable so if you're going to be at uni for years, then you might as well enjoy it, share it, and get the full student experience.

Time Management by Cassie

My workload is massive, not just with university but extra-curricular activities, student representative positions and jobs, so I find what works for me is to structure my study time in blocks. You are going to be busy, real soon and figuring out if you're a morning or afternoon person helps you structure your study around your most productive times of the day. This might look like studying for two-hour blocks with an hour break in-between classes where you can chill out at a café or go for a walk. Another trick to controlling your time is plotting out when assignments and exams are due. At home I have a huge yearly wall calendar that shows when assignments are due and sometimes people get overwhelmed when they see this, but it gives me perspective about how to manage my time ahead of due dates.

Time management by Caleb

Time management in my experience is a balance between planning that is rigid and flexible. Before semester starts, I'll map out classes and assignments to make sure my schedule is fixed around important dates. Working smarter, not harder is also a thing because you can integrate PASS groups into your personal study time, so you’re socialising and learning at once. Scheduling events around campus into your calendar is also a great trick because you'll find there's heaps going on that you can get along to in-between classes. Have you tried creating a schedule in Google Calendar? I find it super helpful because I can view a week or a month ahead to plan my time. Also, when I complete a task, it appears crossed-out on my calendar which is satisfying.

Balancing self-care and study by Cassie

You have to make time to recuperate, otherwise you'll burn out and it happens easier than you think. I have learnt to set up boundaries, so I'll call it quits after 6 hours of study in a day. Whereas, during exam time I'll do a minimum of 7 hours of study in a day which is structured around a half hour or hour break. Try starting with 2-3 hours a week that you plan for yourself to enjoy a hobby or hang with friends — whatever it is, make sure it’s not study or work. You’ll be surprised how quickly you will get used to your new routine and how consistent your study habits become.

Just do it by Caleb and Cassie

University is full of opportunities, so just say yes and get involved. You can start by joining a university club, there are hundreds to choose from and they range in topics from academic to hobbies. We have found that by putting ourselves out there and going to clubs, networking sessions and post-graduate sessions with alumni that people get to know you, and this increases your chances of opportunities to progress your learning and step into a career. Cassie already has a job in her field of speech pathology because she put her hand up to meet people and try new things related to her degree. Seize opportunities when they come up because they don’t happen all the time.