Adjusting to study
Regardless the type
of student you are, entering tertiary study can seem like a huge adjustment.
You may need to make some changes to your lifestyle, add to an already busy
schedule or manage a few learning curves that you weren't expecting.
The transition from
school to tertiary study
Although some students breeze straight
through it, the transition from school to tertiary study isn't always easy. It
may be that the work is harder or that subjects are unfamiliar, or perhaps the
stress of a new environment or new commitments proves a little more difficult
than expected.
Sudden independence can also seem like
a difficult adjustment and may require some getting used to. Some students
embrace the sense of freedom that comes with finishing school, but it's not
uncommon to struggle when faced with becoming self-reliant. Living away from
home for the first time or living on a student income can also cause some
stress. See Study destinations and Student income for more information.
Tips for school
leavers beginning tertiary study
Tertiary study can be
a bit overwhelming at times, but you can save yourself a lot of stress if
you're organised. This could be as simple as attending O-Week or printing off a map before your
first week of classes. If you know that you have trouble digesting new content,
why not get an early start by flicking through your textbook before each of
your introduction lectures? You'll hear this time and time again but it really
does help to stay on top of assessment, especially towards the end of semester
as things start to pile up. Allowing yourself plenty of time to complete
assignments or study for exams will give you the best chance to succeed in your
course while minimising stress at the same time.
You're bound to come across more than a
few changes as you adjust from school to tertiary study, so keep an
open mind and get ready to embrace change. If you know that during school you
struggled to keep up with your schedule, remind yourself that tertiary study is
all about independence and take on the challenges that come with it and perhaps
you'll learn to love getting organised and being on time. If you're moving away
from home for the first time, think about the positives (no curfews or nagging
about your lifestyle) and try to forget the negatives.
Too few students ask
for help when they need it. Try to keep in mind that institutions offer a huge
range of support services that can help you with any issue you’re experiencing,
from personal issues to those of an academic nature. If you're not
sure about the services your institution offers, see Student services and facilities for an outline of what may be
available. This includes raising questions in tutorials too. If you don't
understand something or need further clarification, speak up! It's likely that
someone had the same question but was too afraid to ask.
If you’re returning to study, it can be
difficult to hand your free time over to classes and assessments, especially if
you’re already managing a busy schedule. Whether you’re beginning your studies
a little later in life or you’re entering a postgraduate degree, it’s likely
that you will face similar issues. Even postgraduates who are just months out
of their first degree can find it difficult to adjust to a new teaching style
and new content.
Tips for students returning to study
Be prepared to make
sacrifices
Although the benefits of further study tend to outweigh any sacrifices
made, you may find that you'll need to make some changes to your lifestyle when
you begin your course. Some of these may be short-term sacrifices, such as
committing to attend Saturday classes for a semester (which is common in
postgraduate courses) or larger sacrifices, such as cutting back on paid work
to study full time. You should also be prepared for assessment periods and know
that they will be tough on your schedule, if you're involved in a group
project, keep in mind that you may need to attend group meetings after hours or
over the weekend and that you will need to work around your classmates'
availability.
Look out for flexible options
Finding a flexible option can make a
world of difference. This might mean finding an undergraduate course that
offers night classes to accommodate students working full time or seeking out a
postgraduate program that offers online study options. It’s worth looking into
fast-track options too, as these can significantly cut down the length of your
course. Some institutions offer optional summer or winter semesters, which
usually involve completing an extra subject over an intensive period (perhaps
two nights per week for half the length of a regular semester); others offer a
trimester model, which involves the institution running on a three-semester
schedule by default. If you’re lucky, an intensive subject might see you
travelling overseas for a study tour.
Gain the support of
those around you
This includes family,
friends and your employer, as well as recognising the support available from
your institution. It helps to explain why pursuing study is important to you
and how it may affect these other parties. You may need to arrange to leave
work an hour early one day a week, make alternative childcare arrangements a
few nights per week or make sure friends understand that you might not be able
to catch up during peak assessment periods. You should also look into your
institution's support services, which include anything from academic
counselling to financial assistance and child care. See Student services and facilities for
more information.
Keep your expectations realistic
It’s easy to set high expectations of yourself, but it can be difficult to maintain them. This is especially the case if you are combining work with study. There may also be circumstances you can’t control, perhaps one of your subjects is known for very rarely giving out high distinctions or, despite your best efforts, you just weren't able to wrap your head around a particular topic. Whatever the reason, do not despair if your marks are less than perfect! Tertiary education is all about learning, so you're not expected to know everything from the outset.