Hey guys, it's Tim here! As a first year student at Macquarie, I know the difficulties and the struggles of starting uni life straight out of high school. In fact, if you're a first year like me, I'm undertaking this journey with you! Today I'd like to share 7 tips that I've found have helped me, and may help you too during this tough transition.
- Meeting People:
Meeting people was for me (and maybe you) the most important part of starting university. Leaving high school with a whole grade of friends, coming into university with maybe only a handful of friends you have to make some new ones! A good way to make friends is by joining university groups, introducing yourself to the person next to you in tutorials and lectures and overall just being you. Everyone is in the same boat and chances are if you're in the same classes or course, you're bound to have similar interests!
2. Knowing Your Way Around:
When you're introduced to a new place, it's fairly hard to work your way around. At Macquarie it's no different, where classes are so spread out that it can be near impossible to find places. You definitely don't want to look like the nerdy newbie with a map, so a great way to find your away around is by downloading the smartphone app "Lost On Campus". The app is almost a GPS navigation system of many different campuses across Australia, that gives you directions to each of your classes from the spot that you're standing. It's a great app to have and might save you from looking 'lost'. Here's a link to the website: http://lostoncampus.com.au/
3. Choosing your groups:
Choosing your groups for group assignments are particularly important when starting uni. Usually you'll have to choose groups in the first few weeks of starting your class, and you'll be pretty much stuck with them for the rest of the semester. So here, it's important to be careful about the groups that you choose. Make sure you'll choose people that are hardworking (like yourself) so that one person isn't stuck doing all the work.
4. Do your work:
If you're like me, you leave everything to the last minute. You procrastinate, and do absolutely ANYTHING to put off doing your work. BUT just as a warning, if you do put your assignments to the last minute, at the very least do your readings and listen to your lectures each week. When you're trying to do assignments last minute, it helps if you have your notes and information already, rather than starting from scratch.
Also, don't be the person in group assignments who doesn't do anything. You let down the team and basically the marks reflect upon you. And quite frankly, they will not like you at all.
5. Don't be THAT guy:
Please, whatever you do, don't be the guy that puts his hand up in every lecture asking questions. That's what the tutorials are for. You don't want to waste the time of everyone else in the room, so only ask questions in a lecture if ABSOLUTELY necessary, otherwise save them for the tutorial.
6. Student Lunch Deals:
Within the Campus Hub or the Macquarie Centre there are many places that offer student deals to get cheaper than normal. Especially during lunch time, take a look at all the deals around and find places you like. Don't be afraid to try new things, especially if they're cheap!
7. Know your surroundings
Lastly, and what I believe is the most fun; discover places around the uni. You might enjoy studying outside and finding a good place to relax etc. Go for a walk around the campus and find places you like and you might discover more than what you bargained for.
Hopefully these tips have helped you to start making the best of your uni experience!
- Tim Cheeseman
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