Starting uni next year? Here's what not to worry about

Jake Bradley

Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of International Studies double degree (second year).

When he was in Year 12, Jake didn’t have a clear idea of what he wanted to study. “It was only through talking to parents, teachers, and consulting the Future Students team that I figured out the courses and subjects I wanted to study at university all fit together in this double degree.”

Before starting university, Jake felt anxious about the change. “I was daunted by the fact that it's a big change in terms of being more independent at university. I was also unsure about what the social networks and everything would actually look like.”

Jake’s uncertainty also extended to his prospects after graduating. “My biggest concern was how my studies and degree would translate into job opportunities down the track.”

But the reality of university was a pleasant surprise. “I expected it to be more challenging and daunting than it actually is. It's not necessarily a nine-to-five, five-days-a-week, full-time gig. There's definitely more flexibility around classes being at certain times on certain days.

“You can still keep up all of your fun stuff and social routines without compromising your studies.”

One major change from high school to university was the expectations around study and assignments. “You're not just making things up and relying on memory as much as you did in high school. A lot more work involves researching, looking up facts, and better supporting your ideas.”

Like many students, Jake Bradley felt anxious before starting university. Photo: Supplied.

Jake’s tips

• Go steady: "Do little bits each week, whether it's keeping up with your exercise or doing your assignments as they come. Consistency is what's important."
• Have an open mind: "Be open-minded towards the changes that come."
• Stay grounded: "Remain a humble learner. You may come across challenging new ideas and different opinions, but remaining open to them can enrich the process.

Megan Coulson-Knight

Bachelor of Primary Education (fourth year).

Megan was accepted into UOW via the Early Admission program towards the end of the COVID-19 lockdowns. Her uni experience was unique, with her first two semesters completed online.

Megan recalls her emotional rollercoaster as she prepared for university: “This transitional period had me feeling both excited and anxious as I anticipated the new academic and social environment that studying a university degree entails.”

“I definitely found the autonomy and self-management required at university to be the most surprising aspect. University demands a higher level of personal responsibility and self-discipline, which I had to adapt to.”

The social side of university was easier to navigate. “I didn’t need to worry about forming connections with my peers and academics, as everyone in my cohort was experiencing the same anxiety and nerves when starting their first year.”

For Megan, the highlight of her university experience so far has been the two overseas study tours to Thailand and Tanzania. “If you had told me at the beginning of my first year at UOW in 2021 that by the end of my degree, I would have the opportunity to engage in two international trips, I wouldn’t have believed you.”

Overseas study tours to Thailand and Tanzania have been a standout experience for Megan Coulson-Knight. Photo: Supplied.

“The 2024 humanitarian trip to East Africa in June was a surprising element of my degree that I never expected. This trip encouraged me to push myself well out of my comfort zone and further develop skills in project management, collaboration, and leadership as I led a team of university students to complete a project at Manyara Primary Boarding School in Tanzania.”

Megan’s advice

• Connection over comfort: "Put yourself out of your comfort zone and put your name forward for any opportunity that uni life has to offer! It could be as simple as volunteering on campus or joining a student-led organisation."
• Embrace all aspects of life: "Ensure a healthy work-life balance."
• Remember the time: "Make a schedule for yourself."

Max Arnold

Bachelor of Communication and Media (Journalism) (second year).

After completing the HSC, Max bravely decided to leave home and move into campus accommodation. While this came with challenges, especially in his first year, he remained optimistic.

“I was pretty excited. I just figured it would all turn out fine.” Unfortunately, Max’s experience didn’t get off to the best start. “Eventually, it did. It just took a while,” he recalls.

Looking back, Max wishes he had moved with other students from home to have familiar faces around while settling into a new location. However, after giving himself time to adjust and embrace his new environment, Max started making connections with other students. “I’ve made friends with a lot of different people that I probably wouldn’t have met if I hadn’t gone to uni.”

Despite some initial challenges, Max Arnold remained optimistic about starting uni. Photo: Supplied.

For Max, the study load at university was more enjoyable than expected. “I thought uni work would be a lot harder. If you're doing something that you enjoy, if you've picked the right degree, or if you can find the right subjects within your degree, then it will seem easy. I don't see my assessments as work. I enjoy them.”

Max’s tips

• Create a sense of home: "Put yourself out there at the start and make friends. You'll be with them for the rest of the year and beyond. That will make it feel like home."
• Tap into your resilience: "Push through the tough times."
• Focus on organisation: "Don't leave assignments until the last minute. Trust me, it’s not worth it."

Yukari Dunn

Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Arts and Design) (first year).

Yukari began her degree after enjoying a gap year working and felt keen to start her university journey.

Before starting at UOW, Yukari remembers being, “...worried about where to go, what rooms I was in, and getting lost. I was certainly worried about the money side of things, like how I was going to work while being at uni.”

Yukari was concerned about how competitive her fellow creative students would be, but the reality was a pleasant surprise.

“I thought there would be a whole competition, with everyone trying to be better than each other. I genuinely thought everyone would have a different attitude, trying to be the top art student and all that. But there is no competition or jealousy between us—it’s very different from what I had in mind.”

Yukari’s overall experience of university has been positive. “From the community aspect of uni, the independent nature of classes, to how most students are on the same page about things like study, money, stress, etc., it has been a surprise—but a good one.”

Yukari now encourages younger students by talking to them about the reality of uni life and clearing up misconceptions. “They’re always really surprised about what it’s going to be like at uni because, at school, a lot of the teachers make uni sound awful, like it’s the worst and hardest thing ever.”

Keeping life in balance has also been a challenge during this time of transition. “Making friends is easy but also really hard. And I think working to make money and support myself at uni is hard too.”

Yukari’s advice

• Routine is key: "I stick to my schedule. I have a class, and then after that class, I study. I might study for an hour or five hours...but if I don't feel like studying or want to rest, then I do that, provided I make up the study time another day."
• You’re all in this together: "I realised that everyone around me was on the same page—worried about getting lost, not knowing where to go, making friends, not understanding assessments and Moodle. This helped me feel more comfortable at uni."
• Mix it up: "Find a good balance between uni and study, and your life outside of study as well."

Students walking on UOW Wollongong's Duck Pond Lawn. Photo: Mark Newsham.