A few things regarding transition [Vincent]

This past week being O-Week, it’s basically been akin to spending entire days at uni before the semester has even started. Some highlights and notable things :

• Travelling to uni. I live out east where I’m halfway between two train lines yet nowhere near either. So it took a bit of time to figure out the adequate travel time needed to get to uni. Made me stressful after having gone to school at the same time every weekday in the past four years, although it did help that my high school was close to the city, so it involved public transport as well, making the transition much easier.
• And on that note, no more yearly student passes now that I’m in uni, so I’m going to have to shell out $80+ a month for a monthly ticket. Argh. I’m sad.
• Overfull classes. If the mass-populated orientation sessions I attended on Thursday are any indication of what my overfull lectures (as indicated by Alloc8) are like, then I say HECK NO. Half of my timetabled classes are overfull… so I’m definitely not going to turn up late and have to sit in front of everyone else, staring right at the lecturer. Oh but it’s courtesy that if you arrive at a lecture late, you should enter from the back inconspicuously instead… Ahem.
• Joining clubs and societies. The Clubs and Societies Expo, held over Thursday and Friday, was fun fun fun. Mainly because of freebies. I ended up joining quite a few clubs, including the Choral Society, Hong Kong Students Association, Chinese Music Group and Chinese Theatre Group. Singing is another passion of mine, and acting I’ve never tried, so it’ll be a good start. And… CTG is looking for people to help them write English subtitles for their plays. If I do get into that, it’ll be an invaluable experience as practical work in translating. I was also on the lookout for MUMS, but unfortunately they didn’t set up a booth, so I’ll have to hunt them down next week. And… should I join M-ASS ?
• Student Union. So far I’ve heard divided views on whether or not one should cough up $99 and join the Student Union. The pro’s include access to the Rowden White Library (where there are signs on tables advising you “please do not study”) and discounts for various things (including the Uni Bookshop, membership to certain clubs and societies, as well as eateries around CBD).This might be a good start if you want to find out more. Disclosure : I’m an SU member.
• Textbooks and course material. I’m sure a lot of people would’ve told you so already : it may be worthwhile to hold out on the textbooks until you’re definitely sure of the subjects you intend to do this semester. Personally I’ve gotten all my books already, but that’s because I’m content with my subjects and know I’ll enjoy them. Some of you may prefer to stick around in different lectures during the first week, to explore a few different things, to get an idea of which is better and which is not that suitable for you. In general the Uni Bookshop does accept returns of textbooks and course notes.
• Timetables. Unlike other people I know who have somehow managed to stay up all night in order to get their hands on a perfect or near-perfect timetable (ending up with something like my Commerce friends’ Monday-free schedules), I’ve been quite passive about mine. I have one-time-only maths lectures four days a week, and on the remaining day a Logic lecture, meaning I have a full five-day week. As a result of mutual elimination where one session rules out another, I’m left with only one tutorial the time of which I can change without making everything else clash. But if I reschedule that tute, it’ll mean five hours on Thursday, so I’m just sticking with what I have. In a way, I’m glad. At least I only have 10 or 11 am starts.
• Social life. Lastly, it’s been a good week for me socially too. If you know me, you’d know me for the social ineptness out of all things. (I can talk heaps after I get to know you a while though.) Anyway, now that we’re all in university, I’ve been able to catch up with friends from both my first and second high schools, as well as those from other schools whom I don’t normally see besides in social gatherings. And of course, just as Yoddeuss said, “DON’T STICK TO YOUR OLD FRIENDS”. Actually, it’s been a long time since I’ve made any decision as “out there” as this one : applying as a first_year@unimelb blogger. Haha I figured I had nothing to lose and everything to gain, and I’m a regular blogger in my other life anyway, so why not ? Well it turned out I’ve already met a couple of new people here… (You can certainly take this as a hint to apply as an f_y@u’er if/when you’re coming to Unimelb haha.)

That’s all I have to say for now. Hmm I’d better start getting some reading done…

Check,

cenvii