Stories of the First-Year Experience

Student: Faculty of Engineering

Welcome newbie. (Yes... yes you!)

I am one of those thousands of second-year, recently-graduated-newbie students at Monash, beaming down to say a big "howdy to y'all"! (So... Hi there!! 'WAVE'.)

I am currently "enrolled" to do a Software Engineering degree. My whole first year here, has already taught me many-a-thing. For instance (just off the top of my head), I have learnt that computers hate me. (Hint: Not exactly a favourable outcome for one who's undertaking a computer-based course.) 'SIGH' What can you do? I told my Prac Demonstrator this, and she said I couldn't have programmed enough intelligence into the computer for it to hate me! Go figure ...

Anyway (I should really stop blabbering), I was asked to write a few words about my first-year experiences at Monash. [Please refrain from laughing hysterically and mocking me if you ever happen to meet me in the near future!] So where do I start?

You're probably wondering what's so great about Monash? What's so different about it? Well, the Wise One (moi!) has the answer to that question: the Sporting Facilities of course silly! Monash rocks the joint (<- no drugs, get yer filthy mind outta the 'smokey-zone'!)! You name it and Monash offers it! I spent a lot of time last year, playing b-ball, tennis, swimming, doing aerobics, 'working-out' ... you get the drift ... Monash has it all! Make a mental note: Must go to gym! Must go to gym!

Monash also has a lot of 'team' games, such as soccer, cricket, hockey, etc. This stuff is really fun and comes as a good excuse to take your anger out when you receive your assignment marks!
Okay, okay, now that I'm done promoting, (eesh! I should be getting paid for this!) I'll move on. I suppose you're all really excited about Uni, and all the new prospects it has to offer. (You'll get used to it after about a three weeks into the semester.) The first couple of weeks are really hectic and wild. There are a lot more people at Uni than there are at school and it takes a bit of getting used to. Most of the students are very friendly (avoid the bitchy ones... you don't want your social life ruined!), and they're usually quite helpful.

There are many clubs you can join and this is a great way of meeting people with similar tastes. The only problem is that you tend to get caught up in all the hype, and join in more clubs than you can count! (Overly enthusiastic.) Then you forget about them by the second week! I still don't remember which ones I joined at the beginning of last year!

Another way of getting to know people in your course is to attend the "Orientation barbecues", or information sessions, etc. for students provided by their own faculties. This is bound to happen with almost every faculty within the first couple of weeks. Here, you can also meet your lecturers and tutors (Yippee. for all those who tend to rely on their 'vacuuming' skills), and other important people, advisors (blah blah), supervisors (blah blah) - you know who I mean! Take advantage of these one-to-one, buddy-buddy sessions, as having these people on your side is of UTMOST importance, especially as exams are fast approaching!

Try not to irritate any of your lecturers or tutors. Uni life can be hell if they despise you from the first class because you were too busy throwing paper airplanes to listen! And just because there are 300 other people in the lecture theatres, don't think the lecturer doesn't know who you are... they know you, trust me, and they remember!

Uni is all about choice. The major decisions are left to you. (Like whether to have pepper on that bucket of chips you bought at the cafe, or not. Careful, too much, and it goes up your nose!) It's up to you whether you want to make the effort to study, to go to lectures, tutes, pracs, and there's no one to remind you, nor push you. This is where your Uni diary comes in handy. Write down all the important things you must do in it (and then try to look at it again before the date has expired)! See, I still haven't mastered this art ... not good, definitely not good! You don't even have to attend the lectures or tutes if you don't want to, but I suggest you do if you want to pass! Take it from the Experienced, it's hell trying to cram one whole semester's worth of work in the last week! Study from the beginning, and you'll be fine.

Oh ... and try not to get too carried away with social activities. (This is a big no-no!) I know, the real battle is trying to decide between going with your friends to the movies, or going to those always-groovy lectures/tutes! (And politicians think they have it hard!) I know you'll all make the right choice in the end, especially as it gets closer to the exams! Participate in your tutes, you'll learn a lot more (and you'll find that it's harder to fall asleep this way)! Most of the exam questions will be very similar to the tutorials, so listening really helps ... (okay, just take notes at least - comes in handy when it's study-time)!

My last bit of useless advice is that you avoid the 'caf' at the union. This thing is really addictive! Sometimes people sit there for hours! (Don't forget to say hi to me when you pass by sometime!) You know, money becomes a real problem (there's these little apple-pie things you can get, try them, they look really disgusting, but they taste great!) and so does time! Before you know it, it's time to go home, and you haven't done anything but gas-bag you butt off, and drink guarana drinks all day! Again, avoid the cafes! (I know it's really tempting when you see all those Arts students sitting around ... but they have such a busy schedule of 13 hours a week! You've gotta understand!)

Anyway, I hope this has somehow helped to shed some light on what Uni's like. (Hopefully I haven't scared you poor things away!) Uni can be a lot of fun, it's a great way to learn, and meet new friends. My first year has been full of experiences, new and old, and it's also helped me to be better organised. I can't say that you'll have the same experiences I've had (thank your lucky stars!), but you'll still have a lot of fun! (And remember, you don't need to attack the bar in the Campus Centre - every five minutes to achieve this! Although, it probably wouldn't hurt.)

Good luck, and best wishes for the future,

D S. (The one and only)

(ex-newbie)