Managing the change

Your expectations of what uni is like, your preparedness and your flexibility to adapt will be very important in shaping your university experience. As well as getting your head around your new course, think about your new life, particularly if you have moved out of home for the first time.

Develop systems and routines and, if necessary, work out ways to make this transition process gradual. Some challenges to expectations and routines could include adapting to the workload, the amount of reading required, assessment, a new social life, and adapting to studying in general.

Work out your priorities and how best to fit them in to what can become busy days - what's essential and what can wait? And be realistic about how much time it actually takes to get things done.

It's not just a matter of making time for study; it's just as important to ensure you eat properly, rest, exercise and have time for a social life. If you're not sure how to do all this, or just need some help to get started, contact the Transition Office at getconnected@flinders.edu.au, or phone 8201 3121, or the University's Counselling Service.

Irrespective of their background, some students struggle in their first year, not because they can't cope with the work but because they have underestimated the transition to uni life. New students will realise that uni is different to high school and the workplace and that there are lots of issues to consider. For example, there may be much less structure in your day and there is a greater focus on independent learning.

But if you find yourself feeling a bit lost, you're not alone. Most experienced students will tell you they had to make quite a few adjustments when they first arrived. As well as finding their way around a new place and needing to understand a whole new way of doing things, some students also experience personal, social and financial difficulties.

For a free and confidential chat about managing the transition to university call the Transition Office on 8201 3121 or email getconnected@flinders.edu.au.

Make yourself known - meet other students

Study differences between University and High School

Find out how things work

Dealing with homesickness

Party safe and minimise the risks

Make yourself known - meet other students

One of the best ways to settle in is to start meeting other students, especially if you are new to Adelaide. Aside form sharing experiences and having fun, friends at uni can give us valuable feedback on whether we are on track or not, and contribute to our wellbeing. How you might ask…? Friends or fellow students:

can help if you are unwell or miss a lecture
can discuss courses, ideas and concepts
can talk about lectures and tutorials
may share research and references
may be able to assist you with other university related information.

Friends are a great reason to come to uni each day!

In some courses its easier to make friends because you spend a lot of time in classes or labs with the same group. But in other courses the crowd varies from one lecture to another and it can be hard at first to find people to connect with. Some people are fabulous at making friends, but making friends at uni doesn’t just happen, you need to make it happen, and the first month is the best time for this.

Great ways to start friendships are:

getting to lectures and tutorials 15 minutes early to have some ‘chat’ time
to stand or sit with a group of students
by introducing yourself
by exchanging email addresses or phone numbers
by asking someone to go for a coffee or have lunch with you
by joining a mentoring program during orientation (where offered)
by joining a social or sporting club or student association
by going to the gym
by checking out the entertainment Flinders One arranges.

Make sure too that you say ‘hello’ to fellow students in your course who’s faces become familiar over time. And make sure you get involved with things that are going on. Grab a beverage in the café or Tavern to check out who else is there!

Study differences between University and High School

The last study experience many students had before coming to university was high school. Most of our experiences in this area will be very similar:

school went from approximately 8:30am to 3:30pm each day
learning revolved around the teacher in a classroom setting
sirens and teachers informed you of when lessons begin and finish
teachers reminded us of when assignments are due
class sizes would have been smaller
with all students of roughly the same age knowing you for some time- for some from kindy!
teachers would have assisted you to find the answers to questions or assignments with there generally being only a couple of possible responses or answers to these.

Uni is more self directed meaning you will need to become more of an independent learner. What do we mean by that? You will need to attend lectures and tutorials and do much learning by yourself, find things out for yourself, and ask questions when you need to. It means you are responsible for your own learning and reading to develop your own opinions, ideas and answers. This means lots of independence but the rewards are great. Being independent means knowing when to ask for assistance and when to call on your friends to assist with studying. It means managing your own time- relaxation, study, work and other.

At uni generally you can expect:

large attendances at lectures with smaller attendances in tutorials
limited access to teaching staff- if your not sure about a concept or an assignment, ask. Email, telephone or visit them face to face
our teaching staff are there to assist with your learning
contact hours to be low, but this is a reflection of the learning you will need to do outside of lectures and tutorials [approx 35 hours]. The general rule is that for every contact hour you should spend 3 hours of independent study
generally assignments to be much larger at university as compared to high school with many sometimes due close together.

So it is best to think of university studies as a full-time job, but with lots of opportunity for fabulous chats with other students over a beverage of some sort.

Using these strategies can shape your experience to become the best years of your lives!

Find out how things work

Experienced students tell us it's important to find your feet early, before the workload and the social life crank up a gear. It's also important to feel comfortable with the nature of university teaching. If you don't understand material being covered or you are unsure about what is expected in an assessment item, then ask.

Flinders has 20 schools and departments, but for administrative purposes each is part of one of four faculties: Education, Humanities, Law and Theology, Health Sciences, Science and Engineering, and Social Sciences. All courses are administered by one of these faculties except the Bachelor of Arts, which is the responsibility of the BA Office.

Some courses are taught by just one school or department, while others are offered jointly by two or more, or involve input from many. This means some students, particularly those in generalist courses, may select topics offered by a number of different areas of the University. However, a specific Course Coordinator is appointed for each course and should be your first point of contact if you have questions about your study program.

Most student-related policies and procedures apply to all students across the University, irrespective of their course or faculty. These student-related policies and procedures are available online.

Dealing with homesickness

Many students who leave home to study experience homesickness. After the orientation activities are over and the assignments start to escalate some students can feel quite overwhelmed. Some people can feel quite isolated and alone despite being surrounded by thousands of other students.

If you live on campus talk to some of the senior students and tutors. Talk to other students in your course. You may find that there are others who feel like you do. You may be surprised with what you find. If the feelings are causing you serious concern, talk to someone in Health and Counselling.

A few tips:

join a club, sport or activity - this is a great way to make friends and meet people
call, email or write home
keep your door open. Your flat mates or fellow residents (if you live on campus) are then able to say hi as they walk by or put their head in for a brief chat.
organise activities with others in your course. For example, say to a couple of others - 'let's meet for a coffee tomorrow and have a look at this assignment'.

Party safe and minimise the risks

University life comes with plenty of social opportunities. It is important to have a break from time to time but make sure you do not put yourself or others at risk.

If you are planning to drink, consider how you will be getting to and from the venue.

Be aware of new acquaintances. Don't let people buy you drinks or ever leave a drink unattended. Drink spiking can lead to some terrible consequences.

If you take drugs make sure you think about the possible risks, in particular, if you are mixing them with alcohol.

Drink plenty of water and consider spacing your alcoholic drinks with soft drinks.

Carry condoms with you.

Have some sort of way of communicating with your friends if you feel things are getting a little out of control. (For example, saying you need to go to the toilet and grabbing one of your friends on the way).

Have plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables on hand, and drink lots of juice and water the day after a big night out to quicken your recovery. Some light exercise, like a walk also helps.