Life at uni

After staying on campus for a year, I can say with some confidence that living in the halls of residence is the most effective and enjoyable way to get the most out of your university experience.

There are the obvious benefits - close proximity to classes, and the money saved which would otherwise be spent on commuting to and from university. But the best part is definitely the people you meet and the friends you make.

Staying in Howitt Hall has just been fantastic. Sure, the room seems small when you first walk in, but after adding a few personal touches you'll soon be calling it 'home'. It's a five-minute walk from the university (which is always good when you're running late for classes - and I usually was).

The hall is well-equipped and has a kitchen and laundry room on each floor. There is a cafeteria near the ground floor for those who are not skilled in the culinary arts or just want a quick meal for a reasonable price. There's a lawn right outside the hall with BBQ facilities, which are used extensively by the residents. For those who like to keep fit there is a jogging track, which runs around the lake.

There is a shopping complex not far from the Halls - a twenty-minute walk or a quick bus ride. Public transport is easily accessible from the halls with bus stops just outside the premises.

But as I said earlier, the best part of the entire experience is the friends you make. There are people from literally all over the world. It's a truly multicultural and international environment. You will eventually graduate and/or move out of halls, but you will definitely carry the friendships you make for the rest of your life.

I came to Monash University after studying in Australia for one year. I am Korean and had studied at Monash three years now. The differences between studying in Korea and Australia is the approach to research. Here in Australia I must do much research and include the concept and idea development together with the pieces I make, in Korea they are only interested in the final outcome and not how I reached that point.

When I came to Monash University I did not know how to use the Library but I found the staff very helpful and kind they assisted me to become familiar with the technology and resources in the library. In the Library there are many books and magazines to assist me with my research, the magazines especially are from all around the world and there are also videos and cd's. I really enjoy this and borrow movies and music.

I am studying in the Fine arts building but I have access to many facilities across the campus. For example, I can use the computer in other buildings so my access to the computer is not limited. The gym is a great facility and very cheap. Again, the staff are very helpful in guiding my progress with the equipment.

"My experience at Monash Clayton has been very positive. I enjoy my course and I've met lots of people. My Dad works here, so it was helpful to have someone who knew about University. However, I also made it easier for myself by getting involved early, i.e., in Host Scheme/Orientation, camps, Clubs and Societies. Through University I tried activities I'd never thought of doing, such as bushwalking and debating.

"I found it helpful to ask lecturers/tutors about any questions or problems I had. By doing this immediately, problems could be managed well in advance. The faculty office and library staff were also very helpful, and orientation activities such as the campus tour run by Host Scheme and library tours helped, especially as the library and the campus are so big.

"Advice I would give to new students is: get involved! Everyone entering Uni is in the same situation as you - they don't know many people, if any, and they don't know their way around. The best way to meet people is to join up the clubs and attend social events. University has a social as well as an academic side, and combining the two can make University a unique and enjoyable experience. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions, and get help for anything you find difficult, whether it's academic writing, personal problems, or you can't find the room where your class is. University can be a big place, but there are also many people and services to help you.

More profiles of current students involved in clubs and societies