Moving on to academic education as the next stage in your life is one of the greatest milestones you’ll ever encounter. Graduating alone will be a worthy accomplishment, but bracing yourself for the challenges that await between this moment and the cap throw should be your main focus in the upcoming months. This is especially vital for students who will move and study internationally, while those who stay at home also need to find frugal ways to ensure a financially sound future and to cover the hefty student expenses.
Student life encompasses other great obstacles, such as mastering the art of networking, balancing your health needs, and transitioning to employment. Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect in your new chapter and how you can best prepare yourself in order to make the most of this exciting time in your life.
Talk To Experienced Students
Even if you’re ideally continuing your education in the same study field that you’ve already mastered to an extent, universities are completely different ecosystems for you to thrive in. That is why a know-it-all attitude is not well-received among fellow students, and it’s best to ask for guidance, directions, and advice from those who’ve been there, done that.
Whether you find them online or on campus, it’s best to do this sooner rather than later. For instance, cities such as Melbourne boast a significant number of international students, which makes them very approachable. Chances are, someone has already asked the very same questions you have, and they’ll always be there to help.
Settle In Properly
Once you’ve determined where you’ll study, it’s vital that you find and book the best possible stay. Aussies once again make a wonderful example, as they have excellent student accommodation in Brisbane and other cities, boasting a very supportive community aiming to help students find the best match for their needs. They take it a step further by ensuring you have someone to talk to if you feel stressed or overwhelmed, as well as a range of available activities within your residence.
Get There Early And Learn The Ropes
In order to make the most of your time there, it’s best to spend at least a few days, if not weeks, getting accustomed to your new environment. This will give you plenty of time to discover the best and most affordable eateries, student hubs in your vicinity, as well as the time you need to get from one location to another. It’s crucial to learn this information before you dive into the lectures and exams.
Find Work
Very few students today can afford the life of academic learning solely on their parents’ income or scholarships. Then again, even if you could, the experience you gain from working while you study is truly invaluable to your personal growth and building your resume. Ask around your campus, check with other students as well as local businesses, and you’ll soon find a part-time job that can fit your schedule. If nothing comes up, you can kick-start a freelancing career online or build a passive income source.
Start Building Your Network Immediately
From student gatherings, webinars and on-campus seminars, job fairs, all the way to cultural events, this is the time of the greatest importance for setting the stage for your career. How you build relationships with your teachers, how active you are during lectures, and how much you contribute to student groups and volunteering groups will all determine your potential to succeed.
This is the time for exploring your interest and discovering opportunities that will help you grow, and you cannot possibly achieve that by staying locked in your dorm. It’s time to leave the comfort zone and use your university time to expand your horizons.
Create A Schedule
In order to achieve all of the abovementioned goals, which are all very ambitious indeed, you’ll need to create a schedule and build the discipline to stay consistent. That includes your healthy habits, such as regular exercise and eating healthy, pairing it all with your classes and your study sessions. Of course, it’s best to leave some level of flexibility in your routine so that you can make time for those unplanned presentations or a museum exhibition, for that matter. Building a routine is vital, but so is building a life outside of your studies.
Expand Your Skillset
Although your academic curriculum should, without a doubt, be your top priority, make sure to use this opportunity to build other soft skills that will later define your professional path. Every academic course you take, as well as every extracurricular activity you include in your schedule, will ultimately help you build a multitude of relevant qualities.
For example, the debate club is wonderful for learning to negotiate and deliver arguments to support your beliefs, while joining the volleyball team will help build up your discipline, team-work skills, and communication.
Ultimately, your academic education is most certainly not just that. It’s a multipurpose chapter of your life that can help you reach new heights when you prepare for it properly and utilize your skills to the best of your ability. Use this guide to help you prepare, and always keep an open mind when it comes to adapting yourself to this new environment of academia.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post about how to successfully survive and thrive at university.
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