The Iglu Guide | Blog
Preparing for university
For most students heading off to university, this will be their very first sample of independent living and student life. It’s a really significant moment in time, and should not be underestimated. While it’s easy to get carried away with all the fun distractions, there are definitely some key elements that would benefit from some consideration in advance of the move. Here’s 5 tips that will help you make that jump with confidence and control.
1. Get academically ready
This isn’t about swotting up on your course before you’ve even arrived, it’s about knowing what’s coming and being thoroughly prepared.
Choose your course electives
Once you have been accepted onto your university course, you can start to think about the electives you might choose. Do your research and think about what will add that extra punch to your overall degree. Talk to a careers advisor or course counsellor for guidance and advice, and gain a greater understanding about how you can tailor your course choices to meet your career goals.
Control your time
Many students struggle with time management, and as a new student that responsibility now falls to you alone. So it’s definitely time to find out how you can get on top of your schedule, maximise your time and squeeze extra hours out of the day where you can. Use an assignment calendar and build out your routine around your study commitments. This will really help you stay on top of your schedule and meet all your academic deadlines. If you feel like you’re not studying effectively, try out some different approaches such as the pomodoro technique where your work is broken up into manageable chunks of time before having a break.
Refine your study skills
Coming into the semester feeling ready to go is the best way to get the most out of your university experience. Learning to balance the demands of your course with an active social life can be tricky at first. It’s helpful to establish good study habits upfront which will then avoid any procrastination later down the track and help you ace those exams at the end. Jump online and check out what study apps might work for you best.
Get storage ready
Make sure your computer has plenty of storage available to cope with all the extra work that’s about to begin. Start by clearing off any old files and saving them to an external storage drive. That way, you can always access anything you might need. Consider opening a Dropbox account for secure file storage, back up and collaboration. There’s a free 2GB as soon as you sign up.
2. Improve personal skills
Prepare for independent living by developing and enhancing those essential life skills that you are going to need as a university student.
Practical skills
Very soon you’ll be responsible for all your own cooking and cleaning. Depending on the type of student accommodation you have chosen, you may need to think about providing your own kitchen utensils, what food is going to fill that pantry, how to make quick and easy meals and living on a student budget.
Self-care
Prioritising your mental wellbeing and recognising when the stress is getting too much is key to enjoying your time at university. Avoid burnout by tuning in to your own needs, balancing your lifestyle in a way that suits you, and seeking help when needed.
Learn to share
University is very much a collaborative experience, whether that’s sharing notes after a lecture or cooking a meal with housemates. If you’re moving into shared accommodation, think about how to be the perfect student housemate to make the experience as positive as possible.
3. Network and socialise
University living is a very social experience with lots to offer, and it all starts with O-Week. This is your opportunity to meet other students, throw yourself out there and really get involved. Not all students enjoy socialising, but it does bring many benefits that can ease the transition to university life. Getting busy in the early days will help you make friends, broaden your horizons and build a network that aligns with your interests – either socially or academically. So, grit your teeth and give it a go – you may feel pleasantly surprised!
4. Organise your student accommodation
The truth is, student accommodation fills up very quickly once university places are allocated. Don’t wait for the FOMO to kick in, get on the front foot and start thinking about choosing the type of accommodation that will suit you. Consider whether you want to live alone or with friends, whether you enjoy being close to university or are prepared to travel, whether you enjoy convenience and facilities or you are more budget-driven. Some students prefer one easy bill every semester, rather than having the responsibility of committing to a lease and separate bills on a long term basis. Every student is different. Research all your options and narrow down your choices before committing. Iglu’s purpose-built student accommodations in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane provide a variety of living options, free weekly breakfast, easy access to major universities and colleges, and in-house student facilities like study spaces, gym, media rooms and communal games areas.
5. Learn to budget
When you move out of the family home and head to university, you’ll be responsible for living on a budget. As many students are finding around the world, the cost of living is not cheap – and it’s not much different in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. Some students supplement their budget by getting some part time work. Balancing a job with your studies can be tricky, but it’s a good way to make your money stretch a little further as long as it doesn’t interfere with your academic output. Make your budget work even harder by brushing up on your financial literacy before heading to university. Make informed decisions about savings and credit cards so that there are never any surprises. This will help prepare you for student life and whatever comes beyond.
