First year

[pyro-53]

(I'm kind of procrastinating here )

So what should I expect or prepare?

And what do you wish someone has told you at first year?

Cheers

[MJRomeo81]

Depends on the course. Some courses have immense workloads, and vice versa. e.g. for a programming class you may wish to get familiar with syntax so that you save yourself from silly bugs during the semester.

First year is still fairly relaxed but don't expect a holiday. End of semester crunch time is brutal.

[Starlight]

(I'm kind of procrastinating here )

So what should I expect or prepare?

And what do you wish someone has told you at first year?

Cheers

You'll be wanting to print a map off to get familiar with the campus for the first week.

Where are you thinking of going to?

[eeps]

Don't leave assignments to the last minute. Universities take plagiarism very seriously, regardless of whether you're a domestic or international student (i.e. 'Deakin student suspended over copied work'). Join clubs/societies because it helps you make new friends and allows you to get a feel for university in general. The more events etc. you actively involve yourself in, the more you'll get out of first-year.

[pyro-53]

First year is still fairly relaxed but don't expect a holiday. End of semester crunch time is brutal.

I'll need more info on that.

@El2012: UoM! (hopefully)
@epl: what kind of club/societies? For example, debating team?

[Russ]

End of semester is when you have your exams (usually 4) and you have to learn everything from the last 12 weeks. Sounds pretty cruisey if you're coming from year 12 with longer semesters and whatever, but the speed you go at uni means you cover so much more

[eeps]

@epl: what kind of club/societies? For example, debating team?

It depends on what university you go to. I know Monash University has a debating club (http://monashdebaters.com/). Generally speaking, there are clubs/societies for your course or faculty - i.e. if you're doing a Bachelor of Science degree at UoM, they have the Science Students' Society (http://www.sssonline.org.au/). I think most unis have a range of clubs/societies that cater for all students' interests.

[irenestark]

I don't know where are you going to study. I've done my Bachelor's degree in Mannheim Germany for Computer Engineering and we had plenty of resources to prepare us for our studies.

The point is that everything is mostly practical and you can start learning by yourself, especially the theory material so you can be already prepared and understand lessons better.

If you're interested in reading more about studying in Germany read this http://www.mawista.com/en/study-in-germany/how-to-study-in-germany/

But I think you can find plenty of resources online,  many ebooks are offered for free or at a very low price.

And many universities already have established student groups where you can go and ask questions if you have any. I'm sure they'd be more than happy to guide you.

[EvangelionZeta]

Given that the OP is thinking of doing an Arts degree...

1. Do your readings.  Arts has less contact hours, but as a result it's even easier to get left behind if you don't keep up with what the actual work of the degree is (ie. doing the set readings).

2. Spend some time researching your essays.  Unless you're very confident already, you'll need it - it's not a case of yes or no like with some other subjects in Arts, but rather, a case of how good you are at adding something new to the discussion the essay relates to.

3. Melbourne has a very active and very friendly debating society - join it.  :p

[Jenny_2108]

@epl: what kind of club/societies? For example, debating team?

If you are able to speak Eng and Vnese, you can join in activities of local students and vnese student as well
As I know, vnese student community at UoM has plenty of events during the year. I'm a high school student but sometimes I participate in their activity as well, met lots of high-achieving and great uni students there. Thats why I like UoM <3 

[pyro-53]

Wow, I have completely forgotten this thread 

I don't know where are you going to study. I've done my Bachelor's degree in Mannheim Germany for Computer Engineering and we had plenty of resources to prepare us for our studies.

The point is that everything is mostly practical and you can start learning by yourself, especially the theory material so you can be already prepared and understand lessons better.

If you're interested in reading more about studying in Germany read this http://www.mawista.com/en/study-in-germany/how-to-study-in-germany/

But I think you can find plenty of resources online,  many ebooks are offered for free or at a very low price.

And many universities already have established student groups where you can go and ask questions if you have any. I'm sure they'd be more than happy to guide you.

Thanks irenestark, I love to study about German history but not sure if I'll someday travel there

Given that the OP is thinking of doing an Arts degree...

1. Do your readings.  Arts has less contact hours, but as a result it's even easier to get left behind if you don't keep up with what the actual work of the degree is (ie. doing the set readings).

2. Spend some time researching your essays.  Unless you're very confident already, you'll need it - it's not a case of yes or no like with some other subjects in Arts, but rather, a case of how good you are at adding something new to the discussion the essay relates to.

3. Melbourne has a very active and very friendly debating society - join it.  :p

Thanks, sensei!

If you are able to speak Eng and Vnese, you can join in activities of local students and vnese student as well
As I know, vnese student community at UoM has plenty of events during the year. I'm a high school student but sometimes I participate in their activity as well, met lots of high-achieving and great uni students there. Thats why I like UoM <3 

Wow, I don't know that you can actually participate in the uni environment before you get an offer to study there >_<. Thanks for the advice! 

[j-awad11]

go and download the monash university app so it can tell you how to get to where, because it will be overwhelming at first haha