A Great Year Ahead

By Annie Perets

University is what you make of it. It can be your second home, a jail, an excuse for not having a job, your personal paradise, or even your overnight shelter after a big night out.

If you put a bit of effort in, university really can be the best time of your life. Just think about it; the minimal contact hours, the freedom, the 24 hour library access, the pub crawls, you name it!

As we we’re told on orientation day, university is just a flea bite in our lives. Three or four years might seem like a long time now, but considering the fact that we are likely to live close to 100, it’s almost nothing.

Each different year level that you enter holds its own set of surprises.

For first years, everything is new; new friends, new environment, new information. Second years know what’s what and are beginning to get into the more serious stages of their degrees. Final year students try to make the most of what they have left, before it’s time to wave university goodbye and enter the real world.

No matter what stage you’re at, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be having a good time. If you’re finding yourself unhappy, and the thought of writing another essay is making you want to pull your hair out, it might be time to add a little bit of spice to your daily routine.

Making new friends is always a good idea. If you’re in the later stage of your degree, though you are likely to already be in a group or have a few strong companions, sitting next to someone new never hurts. For the new kids on the block, the trick is to introduce yourself to as many people as possible, then say hi to them whenever you see them. Just don’t go too crazy with this!

Another key to a happy university life is to get involved by participating in student activities. This does not necessarily mean joining as many clubs as you can, or running for student council, but more along the lines of at least making the effort to attend events in your study area. This could include pub crawls, barbecues, or even special lectures.

The routine of sleeping, studying, and going to work can get extremely boring and repetitive, so maybe it’s time to try something new. A suggestion is to make yourself a university bucket list– a list of interesting things to get done before the end of the study year. And if you are looking for a special someone, university is one of the best places to meet people. If you are a single lad, it might be time to make a visit to Magill campus which is filled with gorgeous young ladies, and if you are a girl, take a peek at Mawson Lakes or any of the other city campuses.

Most importantly, study hard and think of the 3 month holiday which is never really that far away!