21 Mar 2021

The time you spend at uni is supposed to be some of the best years of your life. But you're hearing it straight from the horse's mouth: it can be the biggest drag if you don't make the most of it. 

I was actually the biggest neg at uni. I wasn't spending Friday nights at the uni bar or hanging out with friends after class. After a tutorial or lecture ended (if i even bothered to attend) I would be in a quiet area on campus studying, or driving home - I didn't have any reason to stick around. 

I went to uni, went to my part-time job, got my degree. The end. I never really experienced much of the social aspects. But from new friends, freebies and a whole lot of fraternising at your disposal, it’s up to you whether or not you waste your uni years. I certainly don't condone it, here's why.

You're paying to listen

There's a bunch of people (myself included) who rock up to compulsory lectures, sit in the back row and scroll through Facebook or do a bit of online shopping instead of actually listening. Well, whats the point in even going? 

You're paying a sh*tload of money to be there, so you may as well make the most of it and absorb all the information you can. Hot tip: a lot of the information is actually useful for the future, although it may not seem like it at the time. 

Attend uni parties

As we progress from high school to uni, the way we party changes too. Uni parties make high school parties look wholesome.

Grab the white bedsheet of your bed and wrap yourself in it or whip out the old faithful tux you wore to your Year 12 formal. From uni balls, toga parties and o-week parties, attend as many parties as humanly possible and absolutely send it!

Don't do a degree you hate

I spent years being miserable doing a degree I hated. One of my biggest regrets is not changing degrees sooner. Everyone told me 'there's no jobs in journalism', 'writing doesn't pay well' or 'it's too competitive, do something more stable'. To all the naysayers, I'd just like to say - look at me now!

Your friends, family or that lady on the bus don't have to spend hours doing countless weekly readings and slog away at intense exam periods - you do. Study something you're passionate about and you'll love it. Your mental health, your zest for life and your marks will thank you later!

Make new friends

There were people I sat with in tutorials and lectures, but I never clicked with anyone enough to hang out with them outside of uni. There were some I added on Facebook, and some I awkwardly chatted to after an ice-breaker, but that's about it. If you’re turning up to the bare minimum of classes, not talking to anyone and heading home straight after like me, chances are you’re not making the most of the social side of uni.

Don't take a leaf out of my book; join clubs and societies, throw yourself into the volleyball team even if you don't know how to play, attend parties, build the confidence to ask people what they're plans are for lunch or strike up a conversation with the person sitting alone in the quad. Or if you don't despise them, turn a group assignment session into drinks at the uni bar after – you’ll probs have a lot more in common than you thought!

Take advantage of student discounts

Being a student, there's a 99% chance all you can afford is cheap Aldi wine and two minute noodles. But take advantage of student discounts and freebies while you can!

Cheaper travel, cheap cinema tickets, discounted food and drinks, cheap af clothes (thanks UniDays), cheaper laptops, and even subscriptions to Spotify and Netflix! Before you buy anything, do some digging and see if there's any benefit of flashing your student card. I wish I did.