Study Tips For University In Australia
Have you recently been accepted into an Australian university? Starting a new degree can be stressful but it can come with some unique challenges for international students. Below, we explore some things about Australian universities that you may not know to hopefully make your first day that little bit less stressful.
Participate in orientation
To celebrate the start of a new semester and to make students feel welcome, universities throw an ‘o-week’ to celebrate the new university term. This social first week of university is an opportunity to participate in fun events such as barbeques, campus tours and introductory lectures, as well as a social opportunity to learn more about student clubs and societies. University campuses can be huge so it’s always helpful to participate in o-week so you can get to know your surroundings and make some new friends.
Try not to skip classes, remember why you’re there
Whilst its really tempting to skip classes in the first few weeks of your degree, it’s really important to remember why you’re at university and to attend all classes. Attending classes in your first few weeks gives you a chance to get to know your lecturers and tutors and it also gives you a chance to make new friends in classes where you may need to partner up for group for assignments.
Try to get into good study habits early in the semester
Developing a study plan will help you beat stress later in the semester once exam time comes around all too soon. It’s common for students to take 4 or 5 subjects each semester and when you consider that virtually all subjects will require you to complete assignments, conflicting deadlines can result in some serious stress if you’re not prepared. Developing a balanced study routine from semester one will help you become an expert early and make a world of difference as your progress through future semesters at university.
Use university support services
As you’ll find out during your o-week orientation, student support services are there to make your life at university more comfortable. Many Australian universities offer support to international students specifically, such as English language assistance. If you’re struggling with any aspect of your university experience, student support services are there to help you.
Is there an opportunity to head on exchange? Get after it
Whether you’re an international student or not, exchange programs can open up a heap of new opportunities both personally and professionally. Does your university has a sister school in another country where you can study for a semester? Learning in new environments can unlock a world of opportunities and you might be surprised by just how many lifelong friends you make along the way.
Embrace university social life
Whilst not everyone is confident when it comes to meeting new people and making new friends, it’s always a good idea to introduce yourself to people in lectures and tutorials so you can start building a community around you at university. Having friends on campus, especially if you’re new to Australia, can make your university experience much more fulfilling. If you’re struggling to make friends, considering visiting student services to learn what clubs you might be able to join to begin the process of embracing social life and all it has to offer at university.
Are you about to start a new degree at an australia university? How exciting! Remember, the above are just a number of tips that might make university more fun for you. In order to ensure you get the most out of your experience, make friends and immerse yourself in all that university in Australia has to offer.