Common misconceptions
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The reality
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| The view, that VCE is the most stressful and academically challenging time of a student's life, and consequently university will be a breeze. |
University is hard work and lots of it; full-time, first-year students take four subjects, each of which stipulates a minimum of twelve hours' work per week. Considerable self-discipline is required on the part of those students whose face-to-face contact is minimal. |
| Most first-year students equate success at VCE and a high ENTER with equal success at university. |
Although the ENTER is still the best predictor of success at university, many students are very disillusioned with the initial results they achieve. This is largely due to the different styles of teaching and learning at university. |
| Many first-year students look forward to the release from the restrictive rules and regulations of school. |
It is certainly true that the university environment is much freer but students must also learn to be more responsible regarding motivation, organisation, time management, attendance, completion and submission of work by the due date. In addition, students need to become better-resourced independent learners. |
| Some, especially those who have moved out of home, eagerly anticipate the release from restrictive rules and regulations. |
What many students do not realise is that unforeseen social and financial pressures may now affect them that could adversely affect their studies. |
| The notion that university is one big party; students will easily meet lots of new people and constantly have fun. |
Yes, there are a lot of great times to be had, however, establishing friendship is not as easy as some students anticipate. |
| The belief that lecturers and tutors are just like secondary school teachers. |
Lecturers and tutors have different responsibilities to secondary teachers, and contact is less. |
| That the content of previously studied subjects will be similar . perhaps slightly more advanced. |
Some subjects vary quite markedly from secondary school in terms of content and standard. |
| Everyone will be friendly. |
Many students experience difficulty in establishing friendship networks when they first arrive at university . you need to make a special effort. |
| All subjects will be enjoyable because they have been selected primarily due to interest. |
Not all subjects turn out to be as enjoyable as anticipated because students' expectations have not been met, quotas affect some students getting their preferred subject choices, and some courses have 'core' subjects which all students must complete. |
| Subject changes are not possible without being recorded as 'fails'. |
It is possible to make subject changes without incurring any academic and/or financial penalty as long as this is done within the prescribed times. |
| All students at university are here because they want to be. |
Not all students at university are here through their own choice, or at the institution of their first choice. |
