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Uni is a rollercoaster, but it’s your rollercoaster. Make it fun, go easy on yourself, and use these tips to survive, thrive, and maybe even enjoy the ride! See you on campus, Narrm Scholar 🎉
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Common First-Year Crises
1. “Wait… there’s a reading list?”
That sinking feeling when you realise halfway through the semester that, yes, you were supposed to be doing the readings. All of them.
- Survival Tip #1: Reading your syllabi (also called subject guides) early - and completely! - will save you. If you’re behind, focus on key readings and skim the rest. Don’t be afraid to lean on classmates for notes!
- Survival Tip #2: Create a reading schedule to tackle the list bit by bit. Trust me, your future self will thank you for not cramming all those pages in one night!
- Survival Tip #3: Check if your library has e-books or audio versions available; sometimes, listening to a book is way more fun (and less of a chore) than reading it!
2. “I have 3 assignments due on the same day”
It hits you like a freight train - everything is due tomorrow, and you haven’t even started. Cue panic.
- Survival Tip #1: Break it down! Use an assignment tracker to map out deadlines in advance (future you will thank you). If it’s too late for that, prioritise and get something submitted. Extensions exist - use them if needed.
- Survival Tip #2: Start with the assignment that you find the easiest; once you get a bit of momentum, the other tasks will feel less daunting.
- Survival Tip #3: Form a study group! Sometimes explaining things to each other can make even the most tedious assignment feel like a team sport.
3. “Who am I? What am I doing here? What’s the meaning of life?”
The classic existential crisis hits you when your first lecture in economics sounds like a foreign language, and you question your entire degree choice.
- Survival Tip #1: It’s normal! Talk to an academic advisor (You will be assigned one in your second semester, but UMSU is always around to help before then!) or friends to get perspective. Everyone feels this at some point, and there’s always time to switch courses if it’s not the right fit. (Or you could just be having a bad week!)
- Survival Tip #2: Keep a journal! Writing down your thoughts can help you sort through the chaos and maybe even uncover your purpose (or at least what you want for lunch).
- Survival Tip #3: Join a student support group or club related to your major. Connecting with peers who share your struggles can help ease the tension!
4. Getting Lost on Campus (for the 5th Time)
You thought you had the layout of campus down, but then you somehow end up at the wrong building, on the wrong side of the street, in a completely different faculty.
- Survival Tip #1: Keep Google Maps on your phone and make use of the Libraries 101 and Places of Note (this is a WIP lol) pages. You’ll get the hang of it eventually (hopefully by semester 2)!
- Google Maps will let you search for a specific building number (as in, if you don’t know what the building you’re supposed to be in is called but you have the location code, you can just chuck that number into the search bar and Maps will take you there!). This feature has saved many lives.
- Survival Tip #2: Familiarise yourself with campus maps during O-Week; those free barbecue sausages are just the icing on the cake!
- Survival Tip #3: Don’t hesitate to ask for directions! Most students have been lost at some point and will appreciate you’re not the only one.
5. “I haven’t made any friends yet”
You’re a few weeks in, and everyone else seems to have found their crew while you’re still eating lunch solo.
- Survival Tip #1: It takes time! Join a club (seriously, they work wonders) or connect with your peers on the **Ed Discussion** board. Start small by sitting with someone new in a tutorial. Chances are, they’re just as nervous as you!
- Survival Tip #2: Organise a casual catch-up after class. Flat whites can work wonders for bonding!
- Survival Tip #3: Attend workshops; you never know who might also be looking for friends.
6. “Public transport is a nightmare”
First time on Melbourne’s public transport and somehow you’ve ended up three suburbs away. Yeah, we get it.
- Survival Tip #1: Learn the key tram routes and always double-check which direction you’re headed in. Google Maps is your new BFF.
- Survival Tip #2: Download the PTV app to keep real-time updates on your phone - it’s like having a personal transport assistant.
- Survival Tip #3: Always carry a book or have some podcasts downloaded to keep you entertained during those long journeys. It makes the ride feel quicker!
7. “Why didn’t anyone tell me uni is so expensive?”
Between textbooks, coffee, rent, and nights out, your bank account is crying.
- Survival Tip #1: Hit up our guide to surviving on a student budget to get some budgeting tips. Plus, our Dine and Grind list and recipe database will keep you fed without draining your wallet.
- Survival Tip #2: Don’t forget to explore second-hand bookshops for cheaper textbooks or check out online “marketplaces” (😉); your wallet will thank you!
- Survival Tip #3: Make a list of free campus activities - there’s often heaps of fun stuff happening that won’t cost you a cent!
- Survival Tip #4: UMSU always has an online list of places where UoM students can get student discounts! But, if that fails, websites like StudentBeans or UniDays are always useful.
8. The Group Project Horror Story
You’re doing 90% of the work, one person disappeared, and no one can agree on a time to meet. Classic.
- Survival Tip #1: Set boundaries early and use tools like Notion and Google Docs to keep everything organised. If it’s truly unmanageable, speak to your tutor early. Emphasis on early - trust me, your tutor can’t do anything if you email them 2 days before the assignment’s due, wailing about how nobody but you has done any work! Organise a group meeting as soon as you get the assignment, and set realistic expectations.
- Survival Tip #2: Assign specific roles at the start; it makes it way easier to call someone out when they’ve gone MIA.
- Survival Tip #3: If all else fails, use the classic “I’ll handle the presentation, you do the report” strategy to get things done without getting too overwhelmed!
General Survival Tips
- Pretend You’re a Well-Adjusted Human: Act like you know what’s going on, even if you don’t. Everyone’s just as clueless, trust us. It’s all about confidence.
- Dress for Comfort, Not the Runway: Nobody’s judging your trackies, we swear. Skip the style stress and wear whatever makes you comfy (and maybe saves time in the morning).
- Make Awkward Friends Early: Yes, social events are awkward, but they’re also where you meet everyone else who feels equally out of place. Plus, this is where you’ll meet your future “I-survived-first-year-without-dropping-out” squad.
📒 Notes, Notes, Notes
Handwritten vs. Digital Notes
- Handwritten: Great for memory, but can’t type “Ctrl+F” when you forget where you wrote about Keynesian economics. Also, handwriting all the way through uni could mean one buff hand by the end.
- Digital: Quick, easy, and no chance of losing your notes unless you’ve been dodging software updates since 2015. Downside? Forget to charge it, and you’re back to scribbling on napkins.
Our Verdict: Do both! Scribble for chill classes and type when the lecturer speaks at 2x speed. Mix it up like a true first-year.
Is a Laptop a Must?
It’s handy but not essential. Most libraries lend laptops, and some classrooms still rock computers that look straight out of the ‘90s. Either way, if you’re buying, go light! A laptop should be a helpful tool, not a new workout regimen.
📚 Secret Recipe for Academic Success
- Don’t Just ‘Study’ – Survive: Aim to do a little every day (even if “a little” means rereading yesterday’s notes and pretending to understand). Daily habits beat finals-week panics.
- Assignment Amnesia: If a tutor hands out something due at the end of the term, don’t pretend you’ll “do it later.” Spoiler: you won’t. Knock it out early or watch the stress accumulate like a bad ex.
- Office Hours: Don’t Ghost Your Tutors! Whether you have questions or not, drop by during office hours! Tutors are usually kind humans (emphasis on “usually”). Go say hi - later, you’ll thank yourself when you need a favour.
- Actually Show Up to Class: Skipping one class is a slippery slope to never going again. Avoid this by just… showing up. Sure, the lecture/tutorial/seminar might be a bit snoozy, but hey, you’ll be done sooner.
🧘 Wellness & Self-Care Vibes
- Keep the Bed Sacred: It’s tempting to turn your bed into a study haven, but don’t do it! Studying in bed means next time you’re trying to sleep, you’ll be haunted by thoughts of microeconomics.
- Routine? You Betcha! With a good daily schedule, even uni can feel somewhat normal (we said somewhat). Set up study blocks, wake-up times, and even breaks, so you have some semblance of control over your life.
- Positive Pep Talks: Remind yourself regularly: I belong here. I’m smart, capable, and I WILL figure this out. You deserve to be here, and confidence will make a world of difference (fake it till you make it, seriously).
📅 Mastering Semester Prep
- Time Blocking Is Your BFF: Make a time-blocking sheet for classes, commute, study time, and, oh yes, breaks. Less stress, more calm, and you’ll never wonder if you’re missing something (or someone).
- Savvy School Shopping: Wait for Prime Day (to be fair, this is really only relevant for Semester 2) or after the back-to-school rush. That way, you can still have all the cute stationery without selling a kidney. If you chose the Officeworks voucher as part of your Narrm Scholars welcome pack, use it wisely!
- Food Prep Like a Pro: Instant noodles, granola bars, frozen meals - stock up! You don’t want to be making elaborate dinners during the exam period, trust us. Fast food = fast focus.
- Fuel the Ride: If you commute, keep your car in shape. Oil change, tyres, filters - the whole bit. Save up, get it done, and enjoy the smooth ride (and the brownie points for adulting). I will say, though: driving to uni is really not worth it at all. Parking is terrible, traffic is worse - why put yourself through that torture when you can make use of our city’s (fairly okay) public transport?
🌄 Life on Campus: The Perks, the People, the Plot Twists
- Map Out Your Day: Knowing your path from Point A to Point B (and maybe even C and D) helps avoid sprinting to class in a panic. Besides, arriving cool and collected is the vibe.
- Find the Right Friends: First friends aren’t always forever friends. Give yourself permission to move on if they’re not the best fit. By second term, you’ll find your people.
- Plan Little Rewards: If you’ve got a killer week ahead, plan a little treat. Whether it’s a coffee, a stroll, or an entire pizza - rewards are life.
📅 Bonus Round
- Notetaking’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint: If you’re doing readings, try to summarise as you go (future you will thank you). Save that “aha!” moment for when exams hit.
- Budget for the Fun Stuff: It’s too easy to blow through money on coffee and snacks alone. Setting a budget keeps your funds in check - and hey, if you follow it, treat yourself!
- Don’t Stress About Skipping Once: Life happens. Just don’t make skipping a habit, or next thing you know, you’ll be doing karaoke at 2 p.m. on a Tuesday instead of learning.
- Socialise on Purpose: Go out, even if it’s just once a month! Explore, party, go on a random late-night walk, or just do something new. Balance is key.