High School Students: We’ve got the answers to your questions about what University is really like
It can be daunting thinking about the transition from high school to university. How will I make friends? How am I going to cope with university being so different to high school? What university should I choose? What do I need to know? Well stress no more, we asked a few of our first year student ambassadors about how to best approach, handle and manage the first year of your degree.
We spoke to Nikki Schweitzer (Bachelor of Pharmacy), Peter Blakely (Bachelor of Science), Kaheli Rogers (Bachelor of Human Services) and Radhika Sewram (Bachelor of Health Sciences) to answer your questions.
Q: Why did you choose Griffith University?
PB: I chose Griffith because of the excellent scholarships that are available to students!
KR: There is cheap on campus accommodation and the support services are easily accessible. The campuses always seem lively and the students are friendly!
RS: Griffith’s staff, facilities and resources are phenomenal and there is a great range of study options to choose from.
Q: How is studying at university different to high school?
PB: There is significantly more freedom and flexibility around learning, you can tailor your degree to suit your ‘life timetable’ and focus on the subjects you enjoy.
KR: I love enrolling in my classes every semester because I can choose what time suits me best and study the things I love!
NS: There is more independent work and study time…
RS: …but the amount of support you receive from tutors and course convenors is great, it’s a myth that no one is there to help you.
Q: How did you go about making friends on campus? What’s the best way you can get involved at Griffith when you first start?
NS: Participating in Orientation Week is a must, it gets everyone talking and is the first place you can make new friends.
PB: Make sure you attend all of your classes and take up the extra opportunities that Griffith presents such as being a part of clubs and societies, or sporting teams, Griffith Mates events…
NS: …and even PASS class.
PB: A lot of the people I’m friends with are doing the same classes as me, so group work is also a good way to get talking to people.
Q: What is one thing you wish you had known, or a tip you would give to future students?
NS: Don’t underestimate the workload.
RS: Make sure you develop good study habits early, it will make assessment and exam time easier.
PB: Also take some time out each day to practice mindfulness. It’s so easy to get focused on and stressed about past results and future assessment that you can forget to be present.
KR: And always remember to bring your laptop and phone charger, you are always able to charge your devices in the library and most classes, sometimes you are even lucky enough to have a power point in a lecture room!
A common opinion shared by our student ambassadors was to not stress about university, take everything as it comes and be excited for what lies ahead. Take every day as it comes: don’t get caught up in the tunnel vision to the future because there’s so much gold that you might miss in the periphery.
By Phoebe Maher