[CHAT] Life after school: Uni/TAFE
For this week's Getting Real session, moderator @m-y93 gives us the low down on life after school.
"It took me nearly 2 hours, 2 trains and a bus and I was finally there. I was nervous, scared. But also excited. It was the first day that shaped the rest of my life. It was time that I did what I enjoyed, to work hard to become the professional I wanted. I knew no one there, I felt alone. It was my first day of Uni.
If only I could go back to that morning and tell myself that by the end of that day I will have gained not only friends but also determination to grow to become the best I can. I’m well into my degree now and after over 3 months of holidaying it’s time to snap back to reality…
Whether you are going back to Uni/TAFE or starting fresh, it can be a very different experience for everyone. For many of us it can mean a lot of coffee, late nights and last minute cramming. It can be a very stressful time but it can also be a few years of awesome. One thing is for sure, returning back to study after the summer holidays can be a bit of a shock to the system and getting back into routine can be difficult.
If you haven’t been to Uni or TAFE before, it can be a very nerve racking experience. You have to learn your way around, make new friends and on top of that maintain your workload. It can seem very demanding but once you have settled in I assure you that life after school brings you the independence we all crave. You officially become an adult and you become your own person. You’re in control of your life, you are steering the wheel in the direction you want.
We want to hear from you even if you have finished or stopped studying at Uni/TAFE because you’ve probably got some great experiences to share that might help someone else who is just starting out!
So whether you you’ve never been to Uni/TAFE, are starting out, are part way through or finished altogether – we want to hear from you on Monday 3rd March 2014! We’ll be putting together a survival toolkit to do your best. Join us on Monday at 8pm AEST!"
YAY! Excellent night guys, thanks @Sophie-RO and @m-y93 for helping out 🙂 #dreamteam
EVERYONE ELSE: You guys were super awesome too, thanks so so so so so much for your epic input !!!!!!!!!
whats one thing you can do THIS WEEK to improve your study/life balance?
- Set up a better timetable
- Start going for walks (as soon as I'm no longer sick *coughs*)
- Read all my chapters needed.
- Remember to have me time (I have all the seasons of F.R.I.E.N.D.S on DVD, they're just begging to be watched!)
Last question for the night guys! Yay 🙂
Whats one thing you can do THIS WEEK to improve your study/life balance?
What's one thing you can do THIS WEEK to improve your study/life balance?
For me, sleep more. Naps are wonderful things. 
@Myvo Naps are total bliss!! Not in lectures though.... 10/10 would not recommend 😛
@dreamcatcher wrote:
@Myvo Naps are total bliss!! Not in lectures though.... 10/10 would not recommend 😛
dreamcatcher you never fail to make me lol!
We all seem to be in various stages of our degrees, . Loving what you study motivates you not only to do well but enjoy it along the way. No matter what anyone tells you if you believe you can do it then you can! You also really need to take care of your mental health by finding a balance that works for you. This might include time for exercising, eating well and finding a balance between your social life and study life. By enjoying time to do something for yourself.
Keeping organised, forming study groups and taking breaks from the studying are a few tips which help making studying that bit more bearable. Implementing your improvements to maintaining a healthy study/life balance should definitely be tried it during this first week so you make a habit of it and start the year in good shape. Best of luck to everyone this year and I hope we all get great results!!!!!
See you all next week!
See you next week we're talking about overseas travel woo!
What's one thing you can do THIS WEEK to improve your study/life balance?
Allowing time for myself to do things i like and eating well as well as exercising.
You'd be surprised how willing lecturers and unit coordinators are to help (especially if you're in a smaller university) so a lot of the time they can grant you an extension or give you really excellent advice. Also, all universities have some sort of student support team ready and willing to help you out with whatever problem you have (academic, residential or something a little more personal).
@dreamcatcher wrote:
You'd be surprised how willing lecturers and unit coordinators are to help (especially if you're in a smaller university) so a lot of the time they can grant you an extension or give you really excellent advice. Also, all universities have some sort of student support team ready and willing to help you out with whatever problem you have (academic, residential or something a little more personal).
Agree x 1,000 with all of this! Great advice dreamcatcher 🙂
Whats one thing you can do THIS WEEK to improve your study/life balance?
Set aside a little bit of time each day to study so that I don't get overwhelmed with work later (and so I don't feel guilty about procrastinating!)
BAM! Next up!
How would you help a friend who was getting overwhelmed with uni/school?
How would you help a friend who was getting overwhelmed with uni/school?
Talking to them and listening is a good start It means that you can solve things out together. In this case, two heads are better than one!
What study tips can you share to help make studying abit more bearable?
I know most universities/colleges have a mentor for certain subjects (they are trained to help you study and answer Qs and such) I've found my 'Accy' (as we call them at my college) to be super helpful when it comes to referencing and helping me out with assessments.
Also, my number one tip would be to make a timetable. Sort your stuff out, know when and where you have to be. ORGANISATION IS ACE
Next question: What study tips can you share to help make studying abit more bearable?
What study tips can you share to help make studying abit more bearable?
- Put all of your classes, assignment deadlines, work and volunteer commitments etc into a diary so that you can see how much time you have for things and when things are due.
- Set yourself mini-deadlines to help you stay on track (like when you want your research or first draft done by)
- Always ask for help!
- Access study help on campus (e.g. academic advisors to read over your work or academic skills workshops)
How would you help a friend who was getting overwhelmed with uni/school?
I would offer to study with them if we were studying similar things or offer them suggestions on things that might help them (like the stuff I just mentioned - study skills workshops etc!). I'd also suggest they speak to someone about what they're struggling with because that's something that I think is really important. Or I'd just listen to them vent if they didn't want any advice.
If a friend needed help and felt overwhelmed I would show them my way of coping and what works for me. I would try to help them find a balance and a system which they could implement on a daily basis to manage uni and their life.
