Wo-ah, livin' on a prayer!
I can't believe we are at the halfway point of semester. I've been super busy over the past couple of weeks with tests, assignments, workshopping, and actually preparing revision notes BEFORE Swotvac this year.
Along with studies, I have been enjoying exercising more (good for the body and the brain!), social events, being (somewhat) organised, sub-editing on the blog Unimelb Adventures, and writing articles for the UMSU student magazine, Farrago.
For the next six weeks, I am going to start by cleaning my room - which is often my study space, too. An organised environment leads to an organised mind! I recently purchased the book 'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up' and I'll definitely report back on the said magic and its credibility, haha! I will continue exercising, and keeping up social/fun things as well as uni (but I might have to cut back a little bit - but hey, it's only for 6 weeks!).
My subjects are going pretty well. I got back my first test result for French 7, and I was absolutely ecstatic with it! I was worried I hadn't studied enough, but I must have. I'll get my first psychology lab report grade back this week - wish me luck! I've had to do a bit of an overhaul with my idea for my final piece in Creative Nonfiction, but I am glad it happened in the first half of semester, rather than the second.
On a non-studying note, I have just discovered what is possibly my NEW FAVOURITE COFFEE, right on campus! It is the 'Summer Blonde' mocha you can purchase at Castro's Kiosk, which is the cafe near the Physics Building, Elisabeth Murdoch and MSD. It is a white chocolate mocha with strawberry flavour. I'll be consuming many of those as exams get closer and the weather gets colder.
I hope that everyone enjoyed the first half of semester,
Bella :)
Hi all, hope Week 5 is treating you well so far. I had a French test this morning... I'm glad it's all done now, haha!
So, here's my exciting news: I got an internship! I think this will be a wonderful complement to my university studies and I'm so excited to embark on this new adventure.
I will be interning at a consulting company. This is an area I am really considering working in after uni (if you can ever get me to leave :P) as I can combine my interest in organisational behaviour, psychology, working in teams and helping others.
Hope all of you are achieving the goals you've set for yourself this semester. If you haven't yet - there's still plenty of time! Go for it!
Bella :)
So, that title felt longer than a 2-hour tute.
HOWEVER, it is really what I wanted to get across!
So, without further ado, here are 3 things I've learnt that hopefully you can learn from too...
1. Those people that look like they've been friends for ages... might have actually only just met
At uni, it can be quite daunting to just approach people and start chatting to them. As a somewhat shy person, I find myself overthinking it, assuming these people have probably been friends for ages, it might be awkward, etc...
One thing I remember thinking in first year is how much I wanted a 'group' of friends! I think that was some high school nostalgia coming through in my thinking. Anyway, throughout my social life (which I am pleased to say is going really well!), I've learnt that often these 'groups' of friends are just a couple of people that know each other, and who have brought their friends along. So, moral of the story - you can always feel comfortable approaching new people! We're super lucky at Melbourne to have such a friendly atmosphere. In my whole first year-and-a-bit here, I have only met friendly, happy people.
I've been in this situation so many times now - heaps of my uni memories are making friends with random people after class. Sometimes I never see them again immediately, but I have run into them months down the track!
2. Don't put classes between 12 and 2 on Tuesdays/Thursdays
Last year, I had to say no to so many events, like free BBQs, bands (don't even get me started on missing BABBA) and club meetings. 12-2 on Tuesdays and Thursdays seems to be THE time all these things are organised!
Even when nothing's on, it's great to have a break to study during the day! It's like bonus time to get ahead catch up on those readings and assignments.
3. Play to your strengths when picking subjects, and don't be afraid to swap
So, despite being an Arts student, after a semester of struggling through a political science subject, I decided that that kind of learning/researching style wasn't for me, I really need to look at the assessment details when picking my subjects. I can write a lab report with a formula, but when given a broad topic, I get stuck!
It can be really helpful to think of what your strengths are and then pick subjects from that. One of my strengths is definitely anything to do with Psychology. I just love it so much that studying is actually fun - you should have seen how excited I got the other day when my highlighted notes looked so perfect. What a sad life I live during semester, hahaha.
So, two Psych subjects each semester, but four left to choose!
I picked a French subject each semester to put towards a Dip Lang, so that was pretty easy. I wouldn't say French itself is easy though :P good old French 7! It's very enjoyable however, and I'd love to be fluent. French (I've done level 5 and 6 so far) is a good subject to complement other Arts subjects as the assessment is a bit different. It's quite similar to a high school class in that most of the assessment is a combination of in-class presentations and tests with a project or in-class exam of some sort.
So, I needed one breadth class and one Arts class. For my breadth, I searched up if there were any dance classes, as I've enjoyed dancing my whole life. Lo and behold, there's one at VCA! I'm excited to take that next semester.
For my Arts class, I was actually inspired by the blogging I've done, and my dad! I'm taking 'Creative Nonfiction' - so basically learning how to write great, creative journalism! I love the blogging style of creatively reporting what's been happening at uni. My dad was also a journalist and I look up to his work.
As for the swapping subjects part... man, I was changing my enrolment so often during the break. It waas settled by the time semester starts though, after a visit to Stop 1. However, for some of my friends, they have changed subjects a couple of weeks into uni (before the census date, remember!). I thought it was a really good idea my friends had - they actually sat in on a couple of lectures for the subject they were thinking of changing into and then made the change. Uni life hack!
I hope everyone had a great Easter!
Signing off,
Bella
After my first year adventures, I always believe trying and experimenting ways on how to approach lectures, tutorials, studying and practising, changes the way I learn and absorb information, according to each subjects I enrol in each semester. It's actually fun, and engaging if you look at it this way when experimenting. You can find out what works, and what doesn't work for you according to how you learn when at a lecture, or tutorial, and so on. Vice versa when it comes to time management as well.
Firstly, let's talk about lectures, since students, including myself, are curious to know how each and every one of us approach learning in particular.
If I could describe how I learn and engage in lectures, or tutorials, it feels like I'm learning in a 21st century atmosphere - using technology. In my lectures, I have my iPad out, since I'm tech-savvy, and I annotate my slides, if they come out in advanced. I put my slides in an app called, Notability, and I use my stylus from there. I really love annotating my slides on my iPad, since it is engaging for me with technology, and I can store it digitally in any device, like my Laptop, for instance.
I'm not quite sure if I mentioned on how I approach lectures last year, but let's get into it any ways, because I like telling stories! During first year, I found this way of learning (annotating slides on your iPad) by going to Mind, Brain and Behaviour 1 and 2 lectures. During my MBB 1/2 lectures, most of the students, used their laptop, iPads, or by taking notes using paper and pen. So I thought, "Let's try using my laptop for lectures." A few lectures later on, I thought to myself, "This is not working. I'm not taking in information. It feels weird to type in my abbreviations, comparing with writing them on paper." Then, I tried annotating slides on my laptop, which is a nice thing to have, and slightly worked, but it doesn't complete. Next few lectures on, I tried printing out the lectures and writing them on. This actually worked, because it was pretty cool, and I absorbed information in with my little notes. So, I stuck with that for MBB 1, as it is how I also took notes after my lectures; writing down additional notes underneath the slides in my notebook. It was a pretty damn visual notebook, and visually amazing from my friends, and to myself pretty much. Haha!
MBB2 changed how I learnt in lectures again. I went back to annotating my lecture slides on my laptop, until when I got my iPad, which was passed on by my sister. Having an iPad changed my life. I used my iPad to annotate after when I was feeling sleepy, and I got sick of day dreaming and procrastinating in a few lectures into a topic, that felt like it went on forever. From there on, I started to feel engaged and interested, as I was using technology to learn, and to feel like I'm engaging with the lecture, myself and my iPad. During this time, I used OneNote. Using OneNote is not that fabulous, but it was a good enough note taking device, when using any type of stylus to write on my iPad. How I got inspired? By a person who highlighted with their finger on their iPad in MBB 2 lectures. It was so cool, that I wanted to try it, when I got bored in a MBB 2 lecture one time. Haha!
Fast track to few weeks in second year, first semester, and I reflected on the type of note-taking techniques that worked for me best. I worked out that iPad annotation was the best thing ever. Writing down notes on paper also worked, if they don't post up the lecture slides before the lecture. I also upgraded to another note-taking device (Notability), which I had mentioned earlier at the beginning of the post. MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE! BEST NOTE-TAKING APP WHEN WRITING ON A TABLET! Editing and moving notes from one page to another, was the number one thing I love about Notability, comparing to OneNote. The palm recognition is better than OneNote. There are some occasions my iPad doesn't recognise my palm, when using a normal stylus, which I had to turn the palm recognition off and on, which works. What also works is letting the app know the pen for a few seconds, then putting your palm on it = all good!
After my lecture, I look at slides again on my iPad, listen to the lecture again to take down any thing I missed from what the lecturer said, then I write on paper with my notes + slide notes. Works perfectly well for me.
If they didn't post up the slides before the lecture, I'll write by hand, and praying I don't get RSI from writing too much. When writing by hand, I take any additional notes from what the lecturer said, and summarise what the slides were during the lecture. Then after my lecture, I'll revise and try remembering from what was covered during my lecture.
I am considering to typing my notes from my lecture again, particularly on Music History 2, but I'm really trying not to convert into that method ever again, because I know that doesn't work for me in the long-run. Instead, I am going to research, and look at different methods on note-taking skills by googling, and by observational learning.
I am also considering to purchase a new, and better iPad, but I really ceebs at the moment, due to other priorities that I need to pay. Hahaha. #unistudentproblems
What to take on from this blog post?
- You will always keep learning different note-taking skills regarding to the subjects you enrol in
- Trying new things doesn't hurt, and might be your thing to take on in the future
- It's all about trail and error when encountering how we learn in a tertiary environment
- Observational learning is how I got exposed with different types of note-taking skills
- After knowing what works for you, stick with it... until you need to change your note-taking skills in a particular subject
Stay tuned for the next parts! :)
- Nicole
If you're feeling intense, or feeling exhausted in some way while at uni, go take a nana nap. Five to fifteen minutes does make a difference. I try to take about half an hour to an hour nana nap during my day, especially on the way to uni, because it really refreshes my mind after being drowsy at some point of my day.
Today, I took a nana nap at System Gardens. For an hour. With my picnic mat. Wrapped around me in the sun. It was totally worth every minute. Didn't care whether I needed to practise. Didn't care whether I should go to the lunchtime concert. Didn't mind if people looked at me like I'm some homeless student, lying around systems taking a nana nap, but it was SOOOO worth it when I woke up. I only focused on the sounds around me, which made me calm and relaxed. I did felt a little insecure at some point when I started wrapping myself up with my picnic mat, as the breeze came in. Haha. My friend even wanted to take a sneaky photo of me napping. Hahaha. You have been warned when sleeping in public places around uni... except for the Wom*n's room, because we leave people who is taking a nap in peace, and respect. Hahaha.
Any ways, do what you gotta do to reenergise yourself after a hard day, or having a drowsy day. Majority of the time, I have lots of tea, coffee, hot chocolate to get through my day, if I don't have time to take a nap. But I try to fit a nana nap if I have the opportunity to. :)
Right now, I am taking care of myself, and focusing what my needs are, after having a performance from last night, and after I had finished sending off information for MSS Mentoring Networking Program. A break is much more needed now, but taking a nana nap is like a break for me, and hopefully to you too. :)
For those first years, and everyone else out there, Week 4 is almost ending soon! Mid-semester break shall be a good one! :)
- Nicole
Helloooo, it's mee. It's Nicole, from 2015 First_Year@UniMelb blog!
Boy, it is great to be invited back to be a blogger for Back For Seconds, and boy it is already Week 3! I still feel like I'm in a holiday mood, as I sometimes don't even know what day it is. Hahahahaha. A lot has happen since at the beginning of the year, and it feels like I have been at uni for years!
Firstly, let's start with what I did during the summer. 😊
I did a heck lot of things during the summer. So, I'll try, and keep it sweet and short by using dot points. Hahahaha.
- I auditioned for MYO (Melbourne Youth Orchestra)
- I got into PGYO instead (Percy Grainger Youth Orchestra) - which is still super awesome!
- Did a summer intensive subject, which is called, Music Language 2 (which I just pass! 😀)
- Got a wrist surgery (took out my ganglion cyst)
- Got a new job, doing the same occupation (swimming teaching), but at a new leisure centre
- Rehearsed with my youth orchestra
- Went to watch MSO (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra) with my new orchestra friends
- I was a O'Host during O'Week (you can check it out by clicking this link)
- Been helping out first years when they got accepted into MCM (Melbourne Conservatorium of Music) as a First Year Representative of MSS (Music Students' Society)
- Been organising a MSS Mentoring Networking Program, which will run from Week 4
- Made my own personal blog, which is called Adventure Time with The Muso
- Got accepted as a staff writer for Uni Melb Adventures!
- Had two beautiful headshots taken by a professional photographer, which was organised by our careers advisor, who specialises for MCM and VCA students. This only cost me only $80 for two photos (edited both in black and white, and colour)! OOOOHHH AHHHHH!
So yes! A lot of things happened, and they are sure exciting, excluding my summer intensive. That was pretty intense, but sure worth it when I just pass! WOO!!!
So what's the plan for this year?
Ah, there's too many to begin with! Hmm... Firstly, performing in Concert Class as much as I could by performing with my friends, or pieces that I had played in my recital last year. Secondly, doing two AMEB exams (Grade 8, and Certificate of Performance), following by theory exams. Thirdly, trying to audition for AYO (Australian Youth Orchestra), and lastly, getting my Ps. Hahahahahaha. I think that is my four main plans I would like to achieve this year personally. Haha!
For academic plans, I would like to achieve at least a H2B in my subjects. That means working super hard and diligently with my studies and practising. I have a lot of catching up to do for my practising, since I had my wrist surgery. However, I still need to take it easy though. It has been tough these past couple of weeks on practising wise, but it is slowly getting better each week!
This week, all senior years in piano should have their pieces almost ready to go before performing in Piano Class for Performance Class, since we got all summer to practise. Some of the senior years are starting to do performance practises, and/or mock exams regarding on whether our pieces, or our scales and arpeggios are up to standard or not. This week, I had two mock exams, and I have been playing my pieces from start to finish with stumbles and mistakes with my friends. So far, so good. I'm making good progress with my Rachmaninov Etude, while my Bach Prelude and Fugue... HAHAHAHAHA LOL. It's getting there, but I need to get it done by Week 6. EMERGARD! That's okay, I'll work hard. I can definitely do this.
How's uni going so far?
So far I'm surviving well. I'm still in one piece, and that's all I care about. Hahahaha. I'm still alive! I still have my wrist to deal with, which is sometimes a pain to deal with. I'm hoping it gets better soon before my technical exam!
I also have a brand new schedule, like any other student would experience, which will take time to ease in. I'm hoping I can get use to my new schedule by Week 6!
Uni has been a little hectic so far, that I had a breakdown on Monday this week, because from all of the sudden changes that are happening around my faculty, and everything that is happening between my family, my wrist, work and getting back into uni. When I broke down before I left my place, I really, REALLY didn't want to go to uni on Monday, but I had meetings, classes, and practise that I needed to do on Monday. So, I pretty much dragged myself to uni while crying in an unstable condition. I'm doing okay now! Still surviving in one piece! Not going to raise the white flag! Haha!
Other than being cray and stressed about uni, and other things, this Sunday, I will be performing with my youth orchestra, and IT IS SUPER EXCITING! This will be my first official orchestra gig, and I have a solo part in one of the pieces I'll be playing! I'm trying not to freak out this week, but I know it will go super well, if I practised hard! Hahahaha. Don't worry, I am practising super hard this week. Hahahaha.
Any ways, I'm hoping your start of uni is going super well, and easy going. Hahahahaha. Remember kids, surviving is the key. Haha!
- Nicole 😊
Nothing like a cliche quote to announce my return, right?
Hi everyone, this is Bella, from the 2015 First Year Blog!
I can't believe we are 3 weeks into uni already... I've already been to many parties... oh, and lectures and tutes, of course.
Even though I'm in second year now, I still have those surreal moments on the tram to uni when I realise that I MADE IT INTO MELBOURNE. I will really work hard this year to make the most of my time here and achieve what I know I can! I've been lucky to meet so many amazing people constantly and get involved around campus.
So what did I do over the summer?
This summer, I was a tutor at VCE Summer School (for year 11/12 students) and a host at Destination Melbourne (a pre-orientation camp at St Hilda's residential college) - two great programs run by UMSU (the student union). It was really cool returning to Destination Melbourne - I actually went as a first-year in 2015 - and passing on my wisdom.
What's the plan for this year?
Well, I am doing my psych major officially now, so that means two psych subjects a semester! Yay! This semester they are Biological Psychology and Developmental Psychology. They are a nice complement to each other.
For my arts discipline subjects, I am taking French 7 to count towards the Diploma of Languages I'll be applying for at the end of the year, and Creative Nonfiction which I'm loving so far.
I would really like to get a H1 in both my psychology subjects this semester if I can, write a piece I'm super proud of for Creative Nonfiction and get back on track with my French grammar.
So, those are my academic goals, and as for the personal? Well, I'd like to be more outgoing and keep up my friendships with all the awesome people I've met in first year and so far this year. I've always been a bit shy so coming to uni was definitely a bit difficult at first - but I've made it this far and I feel as if I'm growing as a person day by day and becoming so much more confident.
That's all from me for now - I should probably get back to study! The only setback so far has been getting sick and therefore a bit behind... but I'll catch up! Luckily only one more week of classes and the Easter break. Mmmm, chocolate.
Till next time,
Bella :)
It's week 4 and I am officially in panic mode, and if past semesters are anything to go by this will last throughout the semester until the end of the last exam :/
Without even touching on the fact that a quarter of the semester has dwindled away, I thought I'd take the opportunity to discuss something that has been on my mind regarding transition to second year.
While I did do a second year subject last semester, an entire timetable filled with them has brought about some changes that I hadn't expected. First of all, now that I have completed more generalised prerequisites (math and chemistry subjects) and moved onto chemical engineering subjects for my major, I found that my class sizes decreased dramatically. Although at first I wasn't too keen to be separated from friends I've known since first year, it's nice to be part a smaller cohort of people that will potentially be peers for the remainder of my degree.
I was warned about the change of pace in second year subjects, but of course it's still taken me by surprise. Not only is the content more advanced, I did find material being covered very quickly in lectures themselves. My tips would be to make sure to keep up with the material in class and be willing to spend time on it building your understanding outside of lectures. Having a motivated study group may also work, but be sure to keep on track, rather than having it devolve into a Q&A session about the perks of working at Subway...
Although I may sound a little lost, I've found these changes refreshing; the people I've gotten to know have made going to class enjoyable and the content itself, while difficult at times, is fascinating. Moving into second year subjects has definitely reminded me of why I decided to study chemical engineering in the first place.
What's on in Week 4 &5
MUDFEST: this being my first ever MUDFEST I can't exactly share my previous experiences, but only look forward to being blown away by the artistic splendour of our very own students. From the 20th- 29th of August the arts festival will be an opportunity to see art across various platforms showcase the talents of the student community. Categories include dance, theatre, film and much more with this year's theme being 'Come Together'. Plus, you can even apply to volunteer! Link: UMSU Mudfest
Science Festival: the many areas of science have come together to promote the faculty in a week of events that are as entertaining a they are educational. Running from the 17th-21st of August, the program of events includes a treasure hunt, robots that dance and play soccer, a math magician (mathemagician?) and even liquid nitrogen ice-cream! Be sure to check Careers Online as many of these events require registration. Link: Science Festival
Wellness Week: running from the 24th- 28th of August, Wellness Week is back with free breakfasts & lunches, yoga & group fitness sessions, and (my personal favourite) Puppy Therapy! Aimed to provide a balance to the intense studying of the mid-semester period, these free events will have you out of your self imposed isolation and into the warm and fluffy embrace of adorable pups. Link: Wellness Week
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!
Ahem, well, it's not my actual birthday but semester 2 marks my 1 year anniversary of blogging with First_Year@Unimelb and Back for Seconds. In true jaffy fashion, my first post was a hopeful declaration of the changes I would implement after a semester of testing out the waters. You know, like a roadmap to H1s.
I guess the fact that my 'New Semester's Resolutions' remain largely unchanged tells you all you need to know about that particular semester!
New Semester's Resolutions, 2014
- Keep up with all the lectures I’ve missed
- Start any assignments on the day I get them
- Do some extracurricular activities
While I've offset catching up on lectures by actually attending class, I'm most proud of my involvement in uni life through volunteering and clubs. But along with these resolution successes, I do need to work on minimising procrastination and working on assignments fairly early on.
And with that, here are some amended New Semester's Resolutions:
- Try and get a head start on work due whenever possible.
- Don't be too worried about approaching tutors/lecturers with (seemingly) silly questions
- Just go for it!- leadership positions,
What's on in weeks 2 & 3:
U-Week: to promote involvement in uni life and to make it more accessible to students who aren't familiar with what the Student Union offers, UMSU is running U-Week during week 2. There's freebies and a MYSTERY EVENT, alongside the opportunity to talk to student volunteers for some tips on how to get involved. You an even drop by for the chance to see yours truly volunteering during the week! Link: U-Week Facebook Event
Big Bazaar: another event from UMSU: on August the 5th and 6th North Court will be filled with stalls, with several clubs even holding their own stalls. There will be textbooks, clothing and more for sale, plus, if you're wanting to sell your own items you can drop them in until the 4th. Link: UMSU Big Bazaar
Experience Matters: the Carers Centre's running their popular series of event again this year with, as always, a focus on employment, volunteering and internships, rather than study. Along with some favourites from last year (The Great Debate in particular was a highlight), there will be a Resume Marathon, various seminars/workshops on honing your employability and related skills and even some Employer Presentations and Industry Nights. The events run from August 10-21. Link: Experience Matters 2015
And we’re back! No more holidays, no more sleep-ins, no more late nights thinking about how joyous life is with no assignments. Second Semester of 2015 has kicked off, and I’m just thankful Melbourne has held off the rain, or at least it has for now.
As I’ve started getting back into the swing of things, I’ve realised that there are a few things that really signify the start of semester, such as
- You know you’re back at uni when you’re guzzling down caffeine by the litre just so you can push through your 9am class
- You know you’re back at uni when you’re getting a little too cosy with your fellow public transport users on those packed trams
- You know you’re back at uni when the first tab you open on your laptop isn’t YouTube of Facebook, but the LMS
Maybe some of these things are what we dread about coming back, but there are heaps of positives too, like;
- You know you’re back at uni when you can smell a sausage sizzle almost every day
- You know you’re back at uni when you can hear the Tuesday bands from a mile away
- You know you’re back at uni when you see your friends again, especially those who were away over the holidays
All in all, it’s good to be back. Bring on the next 12 weeks!
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