Moving for Uni

[Bluegirl]

I'm planning on moving interstate for uni next year (not exactly sure where yet) but I know it's going to be extremely hard, but exactly how hard?

I'm not the most social person, so I'm scared that won't be good, and I've never had a job so I'm scared that people won't hire me.
Is it hard to make friends? (Might have plans to live with someone else, so wouldn't be living on campus as far as I know).
Is it hard to support yourself?
Is it hard to organise?
I don't have a particular course in mind yet, so I don't even have an ATAR in mind. But places like NSW and Canberra have high ATAR entries, right?
I'm just looking for general advice here; anything will do. (I'm doing it no matter what, my mind is set) so I'm not backing down. Thankyou!

[chasej]

I'm planning on moving interstate for uni next year (not exactly sure where yet) but I know it's going to be extremely hard, but exactly how hard?

I'm not the most social person, so I'm scared that won't be good, and I've never had a job so I'm scared that people won't hire me.
Is it hard to make friends? (Might have plans to live with someone else, so wouldn't be living on campus as far as I know).
Is it hard to support yourself?
Is it hard to organise?
I don't have a particular course in mind yet, so I don't even have an ATAR in mind. But places like NSW and Canberra have high ATAR entries, right?
I'm just looking for general advice here; anything will do. (I'm doing it no matter what, my mind is set) so I'm not backing down. Thankyou!

I'll answer the questions that I know an answer to.

"I've never had a job so I'm scared that people won't hire me."
Honestly the older you get with no experience the harder it is to find a job, I suggest you start working to get some experience before you head of interstate and perhaps even have a job lined up in your new city before you get there. It's pretty risky just to rock up to a city with a student's savings/income and not have many job opportunities.

"Is it hard to make friends? (Might have plans to live with someone else, so wouldn't be living on campus as far as I know).
Is it hard to support yourself?
Is it hard to organise?"
I imagine these are more personal questions and vary on the person but I'm sure some people on the forums will be able to tell some anecdotes which may help you understand better.

"I don't have a particular course in mind yet, so I don't even have an ATAR in mind. But places like NSW and Canberra have high ATAR entries, right?"
A lot of the Go8 uni's in Sydney, have huge ATAR requirements, honestly I don't understand why they are so high (well demand/supply obviously but it's strange how they are high compared to Melbourne). Canberra i.e. ANU have relatively low ATAR requirements as basically no one wants to move to Canberra haha, and there courses are still great so ANU is a really good option if you miss out on the ATAR for another uni but want to do the same course at a really good uni. Sorry but I only know about Go8 institutions.

"(I'm doing it no matter what, my mind is set) so I'm not backing down. "
Honestly, I really think you should think about this and research some more, especially because you aren't decided on a particular course/pathway yet, I don't mean to dampen your spirit but moving to study overseas can be more burdensome than studying locally, and an interstate uni may not present that much of a benefit in terms of job prospects etc. compared to a local uni. A big decision like moving isn't something that you just say "just do it" but the various pros and cons must be considered as you need to make sure such a decision is viable and sustainable so you don't get yourself into a "sticky" situation.

[hobbitle]

Sorry to the poster above but I think the response was a tad overly negative... I think the real situation is much gentler than you imply...

There's no need to work during your VCE (provided your parents can support you financially) but for the sake of you own self worth and independence it's a good idea to get a job soon after you finish.  It's not hard to get a junior job at age 17 fresh out of high school provided you're somewhat articulate and competent.

Moving out of home varies a lot from person to person. Some people leave the minute they are able at age 16. Some wait until they've finished studying so they don't have to work so much during Uni. People are ready at different times, I guess. I moved away to study, but I was 21, and very much ready to move on.

As for making friends, this also depends a lot on you and your situation. Some courses have small cohorts where everyone spends a lot of time together and you therefore become friends. Other courses you are just a number and it's harder. But there are always clubs to join and barbecues and stuff happening... As long as you're a bit open, willing to ask questions of new people, and do it with a smile, you shouldn't have much trouble.

Expenses, well, this also depends on where you move to. A big city Uni? Could be expensive yeah especially if you want to live near a city campus. Wollongong Uni or Townsville or something? Pretty cheap, comparatively. We can't really help you until we know what course you want to do and where.

Why so determined to move interstate?

[Orb]

Why so determined to move interstate?

Hobbitle, there are many reasons to move interstate, some of my family friends have done so due to lack of course options and insufficient ATAR (they studied dentistry but did not have the sufficient ATAR score to get into dentistry at Melb and Monash didn't offer it so they went to the University of Adelaide).

"I've never had a job so I'm scared that people won't hire me."
Honestly the older you get with no experience the harder it is to find a job, I suggest you start working to get some experience before you head of interstate and perhaps even have a job lined up in your new city before you get there. It's pretty risky just to rock up to a city with a student's savings/income and not have many job opportunities.

Gotta agree with Chase here, work experience is invaluable during your uni years, my brother spent his years in Uni purely concentrated on grades, his lack of work experience though has costed him in many workplaces (salary-wise and the job position itself).

It's definitely recommendable to find a job related to your course for the experience, who knows, you could make some new friends there too!

Just try treating moving interstate as boarding (if your school offers it), if not, just treat it as an extended vacation

[kawfee]

I'm planning on moving interstate for uni next year (not exactly sure where yet) but I know it's going to be extremely hard, but exactly how hard?

I'm not the most social person, so I'm scared that won't be good, and I've never had a job so I'm scared that people won't hire me.
Is it hard to make friends? (Might have plans to live with someone else, so wouldn't be living on campus as far as I know).
Is it hard to support yourself?
Is it hard to organise?
I don't have a particular course in mind yet, so I don't even have an ATAR in mind. But places like NSW and Canberra have high ATAR entries, right?
I'm just looking for general advice here; anything will do. (I'm doing it no matter what, my mind is set) so I'm not backing down. Thankyou!

I honestly don't know much about moving interstate apart from that when you do move, since you will be spending a lot of time with other students in your accommodation place thingo (forgot the word) you'll eventually get close and make friends.(And also like you said how you'll be living with someone...I'm guessing roommate, you'll deff get to know eachother...I doubt it'd be like those movies ya know when the roommates at college are hostile to each other for no apparent reason DW! aha) This is what one of my friends who went to Adelaide to do Denistry said...and she also said that joining clubs and volunteer activities gives you a really good opportunity to meet other people with similar interests!

And yes ofc, moving anywhere is hard as you have to adjust. Hopefully someone who you know will move with you as well..? If not, that's ok. You said you're shy, well a lot of people are at first...but when you get to know other people, you'll eh 'break out of your shell.' But if that's not the case, well there'll be other people who are a bit shy as well ...so there are other people in the same position. like aforementioned, join clubs...and see how you go from there~ sorry this bit isn't as practical as I'd hope it be, but you might surprise yourself when you're there.

As for a job, you could start looking for one now? For a few weeks/months for a semester (before exams)? Not sure about your view on this, but some people think having a job helps them with managing their time~ I know someone who got a really high atar who did a Hospitality course or something. Oh yeah...you could do a VET course! Or some other course outside of school, to give you qualifications and an insight. ^^ Just an idea!! My sister tried soooo many times to get a job, and BELIEVE ME...her resume was CRAPPPP(no past history of experience whatsoever..nil, nada, zilch), but I don't know how...but she got a job at a fast food place. Probs cuz of her interview..and mind you, she's shy as well...I think because she answered succinctly and said things that made her stand out and I think she said something along the lines of how her 'actions speak louder than words' or something and talked about her passion

So yeah, maybe work on your interview skillz if you don't have a job or do a VET/other course. This may or may not have helped...but hopefully it's hmm a boost of confidence...or reassurance?

Oh you could do volunteering as well...likes at Vinnies/Salvos/Aged Care!!! You could use that as qualifications and it will give you valuable insight into work experience well...that's what I reckon- as you'll be communicating and following OH&S procedures and blah.

[Bluegirl]

Why so determined to move interstate?

There is a massive reason I want to move but I don't feel comfortable posting the reason because I'll probably get replies like 'don't do it, it's not worth the risk' and stuff like that. But I've had my mind set on this for about a year and a half now and I don't plan on it changing any time soon.
Apart from that, I do want to move out of home generally, purely because of family issues and I need to get my own place so I can get my own life sorted. I need to get out.

I think I will do some volunteering (because I enjoy it and because I know someone who could set me up easily to do it at her work)

I know I'm shy but I'm willing to 'come out of my shell' to do this.
In regard to the other replies, it's nice to hear both the positive and negative. All has been helpful Anything else would be appreciated too

Edit: I know the area I want to go into (nursing or psychology) but not the specific course.