Hey guys! I’m Connie Cao from K is for Kani.com. Last year, I graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Commerce & Bachelor of Laws (with Honours). It took five and a half years to finish my degree and I just happened to learn a few things about uni on the way. For those who are heading to uni for the first time this semester, here are ten tips I’ve put together just for you.

1) Go To O-Week

It’s O-Week this week isn’t it? So go! Always go to O-Week, even if it is just for a couple of days. It’s a great time to get acquainted with getting to and around campus. Head to the club/society stalls and check out what’s happening. Faculty orientation sessions are generally also on around this time - this is a great chance to meet people studying the same course.

2) Join Your Faculty Student Society & Other Interest Clubs

Speaking of clubs, sign up to them. There are a heap of them ranging from sports groups, faculty associated clubs, cultural clubs, political, spiritual, social welfare and other special interest groups. I would recommend signing up to your faculty student society so you can keep yourself updated with all faculty events (and normally get a discount to them as well) as well as some personal interest ones like the photography club! Club events are a great way to meet like-minded people.

3) Turn Up To Class

People love to skip class but do try to turn up to them. It’s a great place to meet new people (especially in tutorials) and you’ll want to meet as many people as you can. Plus, it’s a bonus that you get to learn first hand from some highly respected academics rather than listening to them on tape later.

4) Get Into Routine

Uni is nothing like high school and in courses like Law or Commerce, there’s barely anything due and no one to chase you up if it is due! So make sure you draw up a study schedule to stay on track. Try to dedicate time each week to both review the week’s materials as well as review the course so far. That way come exams, you’ll be well prepared rather than frantically trying to piece it all together.

5) Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Lecturers And Tutors For Help, But Know When (& How) To Ask

If you ask a lecturer/tutor to explain something when you clearly haven’t made any attempts to figure it out yourself, they are likely not going to help you. However, if you demonstrate to them that you’ve tried to figure it out yourself but just can’t seem to understand, that’s when they’ll help.

6) Create A Study Group

Get together a group of 2-3 friends who seem to think on the same wavelength and create a dedicated study group. Meet up once a week or take it online by creating a Facebook group. Study groups are the best way to learn and clarify things in lectures and there’s often a lot to clarify postclass.

7) Start That Assignment When You Get It

..Because you’ll soon find out that every assignment you ever get will be due in the same week. You don’t want to be rushing to finish these whilst attempting to study for exams at the same time.

8) Look After Yourself

Don’t forget to make time for you. Uni can get hectic and stressful so make sure you find time to eat healthy, exercise, see your friends and enjoy your hobbies. I started K is for Kani as a creative outlet to accompany my studies. If you’re ever feeling overwhelmed, stressed or just not coping, don’t be afraid to get in touch with your faculty or university counsellor. They’re there to support you through your studies.

9) Get Your Wardrobe Uni-Ready

There’s no uniform when it comes to uni so it’s time to get your wardrobe uni ready. The key to dressing for uni is to dress comfortably. Hit up UNiDAYS for year-round student discounts to all the major places like ASOS, Topshop, H&M, The Iconic, General Pants, Fashion Bunker and more.

10) Make The Most Of It

Lastly, there’s nothing quite like that time you were at uni. Grads often look back on their uni days because despite all of that work, it was kind of quite fun. You get about four months off a year and life’s whatever you want it to be outside of your contact hours so make the most of it before it’s over.  Good luck!  

Hero image Source: kisforkani.com

Join UNiDAYS Now For Free Student Discount!