Stories of the First-Year Experience

Student: Faculty of Engineering

As in any situation where you are joining a new institution, making new friends and getting used to unfamiliar environments were the most intimidating aspects of beginning uni. The sheer size and vastness of the campus is such that there are less 'hang out' zones where you will inevitably find friends in between lectures, thus it's a great idea to exchange timetables (or jot down gaps), arrange to meet people at caf̩s, etc. From an academic perspective, group work is quite challenging because you not only have to motivate yourself, but also must stimulate others to sufficiently get the job done.

The learning atmosphere is completely different to high school. Students are expected to learn more independently, and often the large, impersonal lectures, serve only to introduce you to new material which you are then expected to privately study. Most lecturers and tutors won't know your name, let alone your background, strengths and weaknesses. Self-motivation is the key, as no-one will hound you to get the next requirement in, even if it contributes towards your final mark. Engineering subjects are especially different to VCE subjects in that small, ongoing modes of assessment are more typical instead of three large assessment tasks per subject. However, the examinations are the most important facet of assessment and usually determine whether the student passes or fails.

Contrary to my initial beliefs, uni actually offers more support avenues than at school, but it is up to the student to seek these services. Anything from study/career advice to sexuality discussions are available to students, so I recommend you make the most of the help on offer. Depending on how locally you live to uni, I recommend getting a car or organising car pooling with friends. In order to finance a car and entertainment expenses, it's a good idea to find a job if you can fit it in. After a couple of months, I was able to reflect on my transition and feel as though I belonged at uni.

If I had any transition advice to offer, it would be to go on as many camps and join as many clubs as possible, especially those relating to your course early on - this is one guaranteed way to meet new friends. Throughout the year, try to achieve a balance in your life - neither drowning yourself entirely in copious amounts of beer nor burying your head in the books is recommended. Instead aim for a comfortable pass whilst enjoying other sporting and social interests. If learning the material doesn't motivate you to pass, think of that extra time spent at uni if you fail a subject or two every year. Where possible, try to get copies of notes and material in advance, so that you have time to absorb what the lecturer is saying during the lecture, instead of mindlessly dictating material - a job better suited to the photocopier if necessary. If you have any problems bounce ideas off anyone you know in the course ahead of you, for example a mentor.