this is probably the last time i will be writing on this blog as first year is finally coming to an end. i haven't posted on here for a bit, semester 2 was an absolute whirlwind of emotion, stress and assignments. overall, my first year of university was pretty successful- while im not where i thought i would be at this point, i am proud of my progress and proud that i did not give up.
for all the future first years at the university of melbourne, here is some advice i wish someone had told me before my first day:
dont be afraid to attend uni events!
i was lucky enough to be given a narrm scholarship by the uni, and they held a pre-orientation camp for all the scholars a few weeks before the first day of classes. i was honestly so afraid, the camp was full of activities and it involved staying on campus for 2 nights completely alone. i had convinced myself that i wasn't going to go, but my mum persuaded me and i reluctantly agreed. despite my negative feelings, i had the most fun on this camp! i met people i still talk with today, and i made memories that are so fond to me.
i also attended b-arts orientation before the first day of class, but i regret not making the most of it. at pre-orientation camp, i pushed myself to talk to people, but here, i did not. im not mad at myself for keeping in my shell, the day was still wonderful! i received free merch and food, and it was still an overall good experience.
2. take advantage of the universities resources.
oh my god, coming from a public school in the western suburbs i was simply not prepared for the amount of resources that the uni has- make sure you take advantage of them! there is free internet for students, really awesome technology you can use (think printers, art supplies, science stuff probably (idk lol im an arts student)), like 95 million books scattered across heaps of library spaces and honestly an endless amount of free stuff.
if your ever down, theres like a 99% chance that the umsu (ily) is running some sort of event that involves fun activities and free stuff! just in my second semester i have received food vouchers, free popcorn and fairy floss, at least 15 free bubble teas and heaps of knowledge about the different clubs/societies affiliated with the student union.
i have yet to join a club or a sport (that is a goal for 2nd year charlie), but please at some point peruse the usmu website! there is truly a club or society for everyone.
3. put yourself out there
the transition from high school to tertiary education is so incredibly scary. no-one i was close to went to unimelb, and i really didn't know a single person coming into my degree, i was so so scared. if you're feeling similar anxiety, i truly recommend getting out of your comfort zone; sit next to someone on the first day of class, compliment a stranger, join a club or a sport, speak in class and go to orientation and events! as someone who used to be so anxious of how i was perceived, i can so honestly say that no one at university cares- if you embarrass yourself, it is not a big deal (there are literally 55,000 students!!!!!!)
i've met wonderful people from being brave enough to start a conversation, i heavily urge you all to do the same!
4. your atar truly does not matter
happy exam season to any current vce students! i tutor some students at my old highschool for some extra money, and they are all so so anxious about their atars, study scores and uni offers, but as someone who was in that position just last year, it is not as big of a deal as you think it is!
the most important thing for you to do this exam season is your best, if you dont receive the atar you need, or your study scores are lower than expected, it is not the end of the world. i think im extremely lucky to know people who have gone through tertiary education through alternative pathways, and i am a firm believer that an alternative pathway is not a lesser pathway.
at this point, i dont even remember my atar, but i know it was about 5-6 points less than i needed to get into my degree at unimelb, yet im still here!
at the end of the day, it is about your passion to learn- that is undoubtedly the most important thing to bring to your uni life!
5. last but not least, dont be hard on yourself.
i put alot of pressure on myself to perform well at uni; before my first year, i set super unrealistic goals for myself that i was so sure i would achieve (i did not!). uni is a fresh start for alot of people, and it falls during a really important part of life where they are starting to explore themselves. its difficult to navigate subjects, outside pressures and figuring out who you are all at once, and you need to remember to be patient with yourself.
it is not the end of the world if you fail a class (in fact, i failed 2 <3), nor is it the end of the world if you decide to take a lower study load to focus on yourself. it is okay to miss out on some opportunities, for many more will come, and it is okay to just survive- that is most important!
be kind to yourself and others, and your first year at university will be so wonderfully special.
the most important thing to do in your first year of university is to believe. believe in yourself, in others, in the academic gods (whom i prayed to on multiple occasions) and in the universe. things will happen, there will be ups and downs, but it so crucial that you evolve despite.
dont lose hope, dont lose love and dont lose kindness.
i wish all of you reading nothing but the best! thank you for helping me navigate my first year of uni <3
its officially the last week of my first semester at university. its also a week before i turn nineteen, a week after i had to stop watching the news to save myself and 3 days until i finish all my exams. i think if i had to describe these last few weeks, i'd use the word pressure. everything in my life feels pressured in some way, a pressure to do or not to do, to be or not to be. i must admit, i am exhausted.
i have a new job, its nice to work somewhere that doesn't leave you halfway to becoming a mermaid, but its also out of my comfort zone. if you need to know one thing about me, its that i am extremely anxious. everything makes me nervous, and funnily enough i struggle to deal with my nerves; its a recipe for disaster. this new job requires me to teach, which i weirdly find fun (my mother is a teacher, perhaps its in my dna?) and extra income is something i will never complain about.
i also submitted my first exam of my university run, a research essay for my media and society class. its fulfilling to know after a quite lame first attempt, i have officially finished a university level class. i dont really mind what my grade comes out to be, or how it will affect my wam (something i just learnt i had to be worried about!?!!?), im just happy i actually did it. im happy i didn't get too nervous or too sad to complete something that i am actually passionate about.
i think alot has led up to me being here, writing this blog post as a student at this university. when i was younger, i never envisioned anything for my adult life & now, i am actually really excited to grow up. i cant wait to be 19, i cant wait to be 20, i cant wait to be 21. i cant wait to wrinkle around my mouth from smiling too much, or get permanent paper cuts on my fingers from the thousands of books i will read, and most of all, i cant wait to wake up and thank my 18 year old self for being so brave; for pursuing.
high school to university is a huge jump, and it doesn't help that everything in the world seems to be crashing down simultaneously. i feel so much for people in these situations, i try to help in any way i can, but i cant help to feel disheartened. i dont understand how this is happening in a world that i have fought so hard to see the good in, that i have fought so hard to stay in.
its june, and its pride month (happy pride everyone!). im excited for this month, its my first full pride as an adult, as someone who is openly out, and i am so grateful to be able to experience this. im so privileged to be in a situation in which i can be myself, and i am so incredibly thankful to have made it to this point.
a fun fact about me is that i am medicated for mental illness, and it is something that i haven't talked about to many people. theres a real stigma about mental health, and getting the support to deal with it; and now, more then ever, its important to seek help. being medicated has allowed me to live a life that i otherwise would not have been able to live. i struggle with obsessive compulsive disorder, a debilitating mental health condition that affects 3% of adults in australia each year, and holds so much negative stigma and shame.
its not weak to seek help and its not a shame to admit that your chest is heavy. if you, or someone you know is struggling, reach out.
Sorry for the absolutely blinding streams of light from the Australian sun in that first photo...
That photo was taken during a little stroll in Carlton Gardens around June of last year, quite near when I sat my first university exam (I did first-year physics as a part of my VCE). It's been almost a year since that photo and I thought it would be a time to reflect on the end of my first semester at UniMelb.
Weeks 1-3
This was the most exciting bit. Just after O-week was the splurge of motivation, fresh ambition and optimism from a cohort of ~5000 (if I remember correctly) BSc students. The prospect of new freedom and independence unheard of during the dark, grim VCE era came now and forever (want to read more about uni freedom? Click here).
Lecture halls were full. Tutorials barely had seats to sit in. I scouted every corner of the universities for clubs that piqued my interest and signed up for all that did (only 2 in the end...).
In retrospect, there were a lot of good and not-good things that I did during this quarter. I really enjoyed the fact that I committed myself to coming to lectures and tutorials in person - and that's something I should have continued doing, read on. I should have joined more clubs - even those that I felt was only slightly relevant to me. It's always easier to withdraw from those clubs than to join mid-semester - by then - all the internal organisation has been organised, less roles to take on, less involvement since most events would have been already set in stone, etc.
All in all, not a terrible start to uni.
Weeks 4-6
The second quarter of uni was more slow-paced in my opinion. Everyday life appeared more and more routine and I could tell what stop my bus reached just by the number of bumps in the road. I still showed up to lectures and tutorials when I could but by now I found out that my motivation was not ever-lasting.
My tutorial classrooms had more and more empty seats, lecture halls were half-filled by Week 6, and by now tutors and lecturers no longer had the endless source of ambitious jaffies raising their hands in excitement.
Also, since I was more settled, I began searching for a job, because... you know... money.
More on that later.
I felt like I had a more and more distant relationship with the clubs and societies I signed up to, mostly due to my own doing (or rather, lack of doing).
This period was peaceful, but a 3/10 in terms of overall quality and interestingness.
Weeks 7-9
So I found out that I actually got the singular job that I applied to (yay!).
I'm labelled as a "healthcare worker" but am honestly just a receptionist at a GP clinic. The commencement of this role sucked so much time away from me - it was so rewarding but uni felt more like "casual study" and not "full-time study". I think at my work's peak - I worked 34.5 hours in a single week.
It was a rare sight to spot me on campus - and my friends can affirm to that. By all means, I caught up with coursework and whatnot (I read others' tips in surviving first year uni and they said to never ever get behind on lectures and online videos), but I was so absorbed in my work that uni felt more like a thing of the past.
I wouldn't necessarily say I could have done these weeks better uni-wise. Our work team was pretty limited so I had to play the hand I was dealt. However - I probably should have negotiated my hours better. Feeling distant from uni (especially as exam period begins to close in) is not a ditch I want to be in, ever.
Weeks 10-12
Woah. Okay. This is the big one. Huge.
The final quarter before hibernation (SWOTVAC) and war (exams).
Work was less demanding and by now I began to feel the toll it took on my studying. I reached out to my manager and he was more considerate than I would have thought - so my hours were cut to reduce my workload.
I renewed my connection with uni - I started showing up for workshops and tutorials and (some) lectures again. Yes yes, money from work is good, but connecting with friends at uni feels better. There's a sense of purpose in life that a bank account can't fill but a conversation can.
I honestly should have probably studied more for some subjects - but after observing the consensus from my circle, it doesn't seem like I'm the only one that made this mistake. Anyhow I'm writing this article the evening before my Biology exam so let's hope it all goes well.
What's the big takeaway?
TLDR:
Get more involved with uni. Your first year should revolve around making friends and connections and not a boat-load of work.
Attend everything in-person if possible. Learning through a screen is soulless. Talking to people will, in fact, renew your motivation.
Set a routine, but add interesting to it to stop life feeling boring.
I’ve heard authors talk about how the best books come from writing not for your audience but for essentially any other reason- for the characters, for yourself, for an issue. In the context of this blog, it sounds kind of silly (I mean I’m not out here writing a book) but at the same time, some of the biggest questions I had before going to uni were: What is life like when going to uni? How is it different from high school? Is the workload really like that of Year 12?
So, my next few entries will be like a miniseries, looking at how I’ve spent my time over the past semester. Specifically, a hybrid study day at home- really helpful for those living further away, so we don’t get tired from travelling every day of the week. Then, a day spent at uni. And finally, a bit of a reflection of my semester- including what I would tell myself back before my first day of uni, what I would do differently, and what I’m planning to do differently for semester two.
This is why I wanted to be a blogger- I had questions I couldn’t easily find answers to and usually when there’s one person wondering, there are at least a couple others also wondering… so, inadvertently I’m writing for an audience.
Slloooowww morning
Studying at home allows me to wake up at an hour that isn’t so insane- 7 am. Not only do I get to start my day slower, and with my dog (Mela), I get to eat breakfast at home! After all that morning stuff, it’s a bit after 9 when I start studying. Today, for example, I have two lectures I can watch online… but to be totally honest, for this entire semester I’ve watched them in the evening at x2 speed. But I’m also very much a person who can’t live without organisation and planning, so I know what I have to work on today.
Study blocks
Again, I love to organise, so a day of studying at home is split into blocks for me. I study in the morning from 9-12, then the afternoon is 2-5, then the evening is sort of a 7-8. It sounds like a lot, but I take breaks within the blocks, Mela always comes around to play with me, and I do procrastinate a bit… So, let’s say they’re very flexible blocks. Still, I’m studying- I’m completing any assigned readings before my next classes (small warning for arts students: first year gives quite a bit of assigned readings for each week, but we have fewer contact hours per week, usually two hours of lectures and a one hour tutorial per subject, so it evens out), working on assignments (right now I’m in the research phase), taking notes… and so on.
Lunchtime and taking breaks
By 12, I’m walking my dog, which is not only needed for her, but for myself- taking breaks, especially combining exercise and the green outdoors, helps me feel refreshed and calmer, especially when the work gets too stressful. Then, I’ll have lunch (highly recommend, and incredibly affordable when homemade, crazy I know) and watch something (update: my action-comedy tv show phase is officially over).
Rest of the day and final verdict
Eventually I’m studying again in the afternoon, followed by some yoga, having dinner, and then studying again (usually watching those lectures at this point). And then I get to rest and go to sleep at a reasonable hour!
I feel like I should note that I generally listen to music when I’m studying, but I just make sure that my attention is focused and not distracted by it- so sometimes I’ll listen to classical or instrumental versions of songs, or a calmer playlist. Also, I’ll always make myself a coffee in the afternoon to keep me going. Again, a bit of balance and breaks is crucial for sustainable studying.
Overall, I really recommend hybrid study days at home- they’re regenerative and at the same time productive, especially when you have some sort of a plan.
The other day I reached out to one of my tutors for the first time because I didn’t think I was capable of finishing an assignment (for FODR students, it was “Translate”). I don't usually take advantage of extraneous support for assignments, I've always just done them regardless of how hard my life gets. I told them about the factors in my life currently affecting my mental health, and how I was planning to see a counsellor at the Uni. I also told them I don’t think I’ll be able to finish this assignment to a satisfactory standard.
The other day I also went to CAPS for the first time. CAPS is the UniMelb counselling service. I believe it’s free for up to 10 sessions for all students. I went exclusively for help with managing my assignment, and maybe even getting the necessary resources to request for an extension. Here’s how the conversation went for the most part:
“Tell me about your childhood.” “What are your hobbies?” “Why are you crying?” “You look like you are anxious.”
I didn’t get an extension if you couldn’t guess. It felt like a waste of time trying to get this extension when I could just lock in and do the assignment. It was was due on May 4th (5pm), and I opened Affinity Publisher for the first time on May 1st. I did end up finishing the assignment, but suffice to say I was NOT happy about it >:( Once again, there is no moral of the story. CAPS just didn’t work for me, it’s not for everyone. I finished the assignment I thought I wasn’t going to finish. My mental health is getting better now. Everything naturally worked out as it does regardless of if you believe it will or not. Sorry for a once again unsatisfying conclusion.
In other news, Since the last time I wrote one of these, I think I’ve changed my disposition of the rest of my life as it currently stands. I’m enthused to know I’m most likely not going into the industry my degree is leading me to. Did you know Google AI just told me only 46% of college graduates pursue a career in the field they studied?
Do your own research if you’re so invested.
Anyway, I’m glad to see this because I don’t know if I’m entirely loyal to Architecture. I don’t have my future entirely planned out. I won’t be mad if I don’t land a high-paying, high-status architect-y construction-y job. I won’t be mad if for the rest of my life I’m unsure of what my career is.
I had another conversation with a friend recently, different friend. We were in the living room of our flat, and she told me not to worry so much about my career and achievements. She said life is about being a good friend, having good experiences, and being happy and well-rounded. She said there’s so much more to life than just to contribute to society. She said school isn’t my whole life, and my career isn’t my whole life. She told me to look around. I realised we are sitting in our cozy living room. The room is decorated with plants, books, and art. In a few hours our housemates will be home, and they are some of the closest friends I have in this city. The window under which I am sitting opens to the roof of our apartment, from the comfort of which we can sit and watch Lygon Street pass us by. Tomorrow, and into the foreseeable future, I will have the privilege of making music and gigging with my friends, buying groceries and cooking dinner, and experiencing the endlessness of the city we live in.
I simply cannot be one of those people who are anxious about the unknown future. Nothing I could have predicted in high school for my first year of university was reality. There truly is no way of knowing where life takes you. I’m not anxious about what will go wrong because it has never not worked out in the end, much like that assignment (oooo that’s right it’s all connected everything comes around). I’m not too worried about the future, maybe things are looking up for me. Or maybe I’m just listening to a really inspirational playlist right now.
it's been 7 weeks since the first tutorial i went to in march, and since then, i've been to another twenty something. i like to think i've settled in well to university life- i attend class, watch lectures, answer questions and even managed to submit four assignments on time! i like coming to university, i like having to be somewhere and having something to study. i love learning, i love the subjects that im doing and i love the campus.
however, these past few weeks have been incredibly tiresome. travel time is intense, the hours are gruesome, and paired with working & playing sports, it feels like i have no time for myself anymore. my body is tired and my mind is too.
a real benefit of going to the university of melbourne is the amount of awesome opportunities, theres always something new to apply for or to attend. it can be quite overwhelming, to have so much to do, but also quite pleasant. i never thought i'd ever be able to be here, so i want to be able to truly experience it.
alas, i think it may just be near impossible to experience everything.
i found myself starting to stress about these extra activities, more then i was stressing over my classes. i was concerned about missing particular opportunities and the effects it may have on my future. i was staying up late to complete countless applications, joining heaps of clubs & societies and signing myself up for various activities.
i was so caught up in what i could be missing out on, that i forgot to focus on what was actually happening. i attend one of the top universities in the country! i have a beautiful girlfriend! the sun is out! the flowers are blooming!
ultimately, i decided to delete those unfinished applications and resign my interest in a couple of those clubs, societies, and activities. i want to focus on just living, on making new friends, failing quizzes, laughing & speeding through lecture slides 10 minutes before the tutorial (like all good uni students do!)
i am content with letting these opportunities pass me, because more will come when i am ready.
i think the main point of this post is to serve as a reminder that maybe its okay to just live- its okay to just attend, its okay to just listen, and its okay to just be present. good things will come to each and every one of you because you are all good people, good things will come to me because i believe that they will. i hope that you all remember that life isn't a race and that university is not a competition- its a journey (incredibly cliche i know, send me an angry hate letter!)
you got this guys! i hope you all enjoy this much needed mid-sem break <3
Soooooooooo. I recently turned 18 and gained the ability to make hotel bookings without an adult, get my P plates, visiting the bottle-o and even more things that I am still discovering...
I started uni this year.
Well... duh. If I didn't then I wouldn't be writing this article but this statement holds more meaning than is apparent.
As you have previously heard, university academia and co-curriculars are completely up to you. No detention slips are handed out for leaving class early, no teachers here to force you to work so the school can embellish their end-of-year results, no set timetable and everything is on an up-to-you basis.
This means gaining a whole lot of independence - doing whatever you want at any given time at university.
Unfortunately, this transition may be a shock to many compared to their micromanaged, set-in-stone secondary schedules. Whilst the advent of this independent freedom is undoubtedly rewarding, the idea of no one constantly looking after you can make you feel somewhat alone.
Personally, I have realised that my parents no longer text me to ask when I'm coming home, or how I'm getting home. I find myself plugged into my earphones, just waiting/standing/sitting on the train/tram/bus for hours in a day, by myself.
I do love sometimes taking the tram with friends, engaging with clubs, sitting around and eating lunch together... but even those are so uni-based you hardly think about them when you're at home.
Here's what works for me to combat that Solitary Freedom - the feeling of independence and doing everything by yourself, alone.
1. Mentorship and Employment
Yes, employment. I know that a lot of students already work casually or part-time but for those who aren't - employment. Adulting = freedom and freedom = supporting yourself. Not only do you get to refill your wallet, but also you get to make new friends and seek mentors from those experienced in your field.
How does this relate to combating loneliness?
One of the reasons that loneliness is derived from freedom (at least for me) is the lack of standards and obligations at the university. No one is voluntarily pushing you to be your best and therefore you feel alone in your journey. With some Big Brother-esque, supervisory eye over you, you regain that sense of mentorship - at least, that's what I'd like. Of course, it's not everyone's thing, but if you're inclined to be a high achiever then why not?
2. Service to a Larger Purpose
It's not necessarily about who is with you, but sometimes also about who you are with.
Too vague? Fair enough.
I'm talking about reclaiming that sense of community nostalgic to high school through making contributions to others. Yes, being the beneficiary of friendship is something not even I can slander as negative - buuuuuuuuuuuuut - it also helps to feel "together" with others when you are the one helping them.
Plus... you have a 99% chance to meet new people anyway. So if that sense of inner fulfillment doesn't make you feel more "together" as a community, then you'll be able to make wonderful new additions to your social circle.
I'm not necessarily talking about uni-related ones like UMSU volunteering (although that's a great starting spot if you're lost), but also external organisations like First Aid, Aged Care, Community Events, etc.
3. Redefine what Independence is and Rethink Your Perspective
This one feels like a bit of an easy cop-out to finishing this blog but I genuinely think 80% of problems in life would be fixed if we look at it from a different perspective.
Yes, I could be lonely for an hour whilst riding the bus, but it may be to go somewhere to meet my newfound friends in university.
Seriously, everyone wants to make new friends in university. You think you're scared of reaching out? So are other people. Be brave to break these new barriers and reap what you sow. Everyone can become your new best friend, just depends on how much effort you put in.
Independence is not necessarily doing things by yourself but choosing how and who to do it with. Do it with friends, do it with people you want to be friends with.
I often only consider whether I can but not whether I should do it alone - and it makes me skip out on what would have been great social opportunities.
No one needs to do things by themselves just because they can.
Final thoughts
The upcoming Non-Teaching Week/Easter Break is a great time to rejuvenate your mind and reset your focus. Try tons of new things, see what works and what doesn't. Even if what I said doesn't help with your Solitary Freedom, maybe you'll find a new solution yourself!
Let me know if you do, I would love to hear it!
Meanwhile, I hope everyone enjoys their Easter Break!
I told myself I'd get to writing a blog as soon as I could, only to be swept off my feet by all the things that made themselves more important than this. Even now, I'm writing from in-between MSTs, assignment due dates, and personal commitments. It feels like high school all over again, but way different. Now, I can really choose what to do with my day. Call it a blessing or a curse; it depends on how much willpower I have to not just play Marvel Rivals all day. It sounds easy to fall into that type of rabbit hole, but when you have true freedom, you begin to build a balance of things you need to do and things you like to do. It's like allowing yourself to eat sweets every day so you don't build up the craving and binge a huge amount all at once. If anything, moving away from the rigid timetable of high school has let me realize what I need more than ever.
I moved into Little Hall at the start of February, and today marks 2 months of living alone. I won't lie - it takes a while to get used to waking up to a quiet house. When I'm doing work, playing games or just scrolling on my phone and I want to go to my mum's room to annoy her, I remember I'm on my own in a studio apartment. Don't get me wrong - it's not a ghost town here - I've already made plenty of friends in the building and everyone I've met is intelligent and funny. Nothing will replace my family - and I do visit them here and there - but it has been a big change. At least I can set the air conditioner to whatever temperature I like without anyone telling me it's too cold.
I hope everyone is settling into 2025 well. Whether you're a first-year like us bloggers, a second, third year or postgraduate student, a future student, a family member, a member of staff, or just someone passing by, I hope your night - or day - is going well. And, to current students, whether it be secondary school or tertiary, good luck with your upcoming assessments.
Hi my name is Mary. I’m studying a Bachelor of Design, majoring in Architecture. Yes, I’ve heard everybody and their mother’s hot take on the work load for the major.
What can I tell you about myself? Should we do an icebreaker?
Fun facts about me ! xD !!!
- I play bass guitar in a 60s inspired band - I debated studying fine arts because visual art was the only thing I felt I was good at in high school - I decided against it because, personally, the anxiety of committing full time to a hobby I genuinely enjoyed felt comparable to being held at gunpoint (with all due respect) - I moved to Melbourne this year, from Adelaide, for uni.
Can I tell you something personal? Are we taking this relationship to the next level? Here’s a conversation I had from a couple weeks ago:
One night I was walking to Old Plates (nice record bar in Fitzroy) with a friend I’d met not even two weeks prior, and we got into a conversation about becoming adults. To me, 18 was the year you’re constantly thinking “omg, I’m an adult now, how do you use a dishwasher?”. 18 is the year you experience new things, learn how to be completely independent, and I don’t know, find yourself? What I didn’t expect from 18 is this profound sense of displacement and loneliness, like I’m constantly disassociated from the rest of the world. We laughed about how sometimes, we would find ourselves in a circle of close friends, look at each face in front of us and think, "Who are you? How do I even know you?". We open our eyes to the lives we are living and wonder "How did I get here?". We question "is this how it will be forever?". "Am I doing what makes me happy?". "Did I make the right choices?". "Why do I not know anything, about the future, what I want, or what I need to do?" My friend and I sat on this thought as we walked down Brunswick Street, and under the illuminated moon and the bright neon lights behind bar windows, we came to the conclusion that maybe this is just how it is once you grow up. Or maybe it was just the cold buzzing our brains to incomprehension.
I’m currently sitting in a panel discussion lecture, with real people from the industry (!!!). I’m trying to project my own future onto the lives of these people sitting in front of me. Can I imagine being just like that in, say, ten years from now? Here’s the thing, you’ve got to remember that the career you think you’re working toward right now is likely not what you will be doing for the rest of your life. I constantly forget how much of the rest of my life I still have. I doubt anything will be the same a year from now, and I’m sure my disposition of adulthood will change in that time. I remind myself of how much I change every year, and how crazy life can become in such a short time. I especially doubt I'll have these feelings this time next year.
I'm sorry I don’t have a satisfying conclusion for this yet. I’m not done convincing myself that things will change.
On a brighter note... Autumn! How do we feel about Autumn guys? Yes I too am excited to break out my cold weather clothes. Yes I do love cold mornings under my covers!
How do you end these things without it reading like a sad stand-up script?
Can you believe we’re already one month into uni? The time flies by… I only finally noticed how much our lives were transforming after high school, once ATAR results came out and all the crucial decisions had to be confirmed, and then in completing all the admin work that followed. This transition to uni involves a lot of changes to our lives and environments, but it’s so exciting and since I- like many- am not moving out of home, I fortunately feel a little constancy among this all. Staying at home and keeping in touch with friends from high school is like a secure base from which you can confidently grow from.
That includes choosing to study at a uni that’s a bit over ninety minutes away and I’m definitely not complaining about the travel time. Sure, the number might sound daunting... especially when this is without delays... but when you’re just about always secured a seat on the train and are the kind of person who can find many things to do on the way, it’s enjoyable! When I’m not completing assigned readings or working on assessments (so when I get home I can just relax after a long day in the city!), I’ll be reading or playing games on my phone or looking out the window or resting my eyes or talking the hour away with a friend (…clearly there’s a lot you can do). And always listening to music.
Making a playlist for the train ride is canon. I even made one with my best friend- which I highly recommend! It might have helped that we found out our music tastes were an insane 95% match! I would say that the bare basics of your playlist are: ‘Unwritten’ by Natasha Bedingfield (the song just embodies sunshine), ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’ by Tears for Fears (why wouldn’t this be in your playlist?), and ‘Stayin’ Alive’ by the Bee Gees (very much matches the vibe of the city).
Besides listening to music, I love reading, playing with my dog (her name is Mela, tiny dog with large ego... and of course like any owner I'd defend her until the ends of the Earth, but she would trade me for a chicken wing in an instant) and I’m right now watching a lot of action-comedy TV shows! I also love what I’m studying- a Bachelor of Arts focused on psychology and linguistics.
I also love to talk… so writing in a blog seems pretty fitting. Posts I will make in the future will be about different aspects of what life is like as a student who lives far from uni- and how we can easily make it a sustainable practice for ourselves!
A fun fact about myself to end the post: The only time I ever get seriously competitive is when it comes to games, like Pictionary, and for that I sincerely apologise.
