03 Feb 2020

Your first week at uni is a big one. For some, it’s also your first week living out of home. Or maybe, it’s the first time in several years that you’ve walked into a class and not known another soul in the room.

After finally experiencing freedom after twelve consecutive years of school it can be hard to comprehend the fact that you’ve just signed up for another three years (at least) of study…

But uni is so different from the standard school experience, it’s not like high school where it can simply just feel like assessment, study, exam and repeat.

So, that first week of uni is ground zero my friend. A fresh start and the beginning of an epic journey that’s sure to be filled with mates, good times and self-discovery.

Join some clubs

First things first, you wanna meet some like-minded peeps. The best way to do this is by looking at what clubs and societies are on offer at your uni and signing up for the ones that tickle your fancy.

Whether it’s chess, surfing, poetry, alternative films, ultimate frisbee, politics, volunteering, chemistry, debating, quidditch, medieval sports, music, beekeeping, snowboarding, cheerleading, or snorkelling, there’s probs a club at your uni that you’d love.

And if there’s not – why not make your own club? Ya never know who else might be into the same things you are!

Enjoy your breaks

Uni isn’t like school where they give you a designated hour for lunch, and a specific area for playing in. Your classes can be at any time and when they’re not on, it’s up to you to find your own fun.

While you could spend your two-hour break between classes getting ahead of the pack and doing some early-semester study… it’s your first week, so yeah, nah! Grab a coffee or chai with your mates (maybe from your new favourite club) and enjoy yourself. Rock up to your next class feeling refreshed and stoked.

Suss out the food options

If you’re gonna be spending the next few years of your life at this uni, you wanna make sure you know where all the best food joints are.

Start at the uni and dine at every café and restaurant on campus. Some unis like Charles Sturt University have all this info online, so you can be an expert on where the food options are before you’ve even arrived!

Once you’ve worked out where has the best options, start expanding into the local town. Find the best Thai, the best Indian, the best Mexican, the best late-night kebabs, the quickest route from class to Maccas. The tastiest bacon and egg roll, the cheapest açai bowl, the best burger in town. Become an expert on the matter.

Explore the world around you

Becoming an expert on your surroundings shouldn’t be limited to just your food options.

Explore everything that your town has to offer. Find the best op shops, find the rock-climbing gym, the local cinema, the shopping mall, the bowling alley, and the best view to “stumble upon” later with someone cute.

See what nature has to offer. Are there nearby hikes? National parks? Beaches? If ya go to uni at Charles Sturt, there’ll be some incredible scenery nearby. Their regional campuses are close to everything from the ski fields near their Albury campus, to the stunning beaches around Port Macquarie.

It’s orientation week, come on!

While that may be the most un-fun-sounding name for a week ever, it’s actually a blast.

Unis know that people wanna have fun at their first week of uni and they know that people are looking to make friends. Most unis will host a bunch of sick events during orientation week to help everyone ease back into the study life.

Check out your uni’s website and ask around campus about what good events they’ve got planned for your first week. Expect anything from big parties with live DJs, to group sightseeing excursions, to random salsa dancing classes. Expect discounts and free stuff. Expect good times.

 

There’s a good chance your first week at uni will be one of your most memorable weeks of the whole time you’re there, so make the most of it and get stuck into every event you hear about. Week two of class will be a lot easier when you’re basking in good memories with new friends.