Adjusting to study
Regardless of the type of student you are, entering tertiary study can seem like a huge adjustment. You may need to make some changes to your lifestyle, add to an already busy schedule or manage a few learning curves that you weren't expecting.
The transition from school to tertiary study
Although some students breeze straight through it, the transition from school to tertiary study isn't always easy. It may be that the work is harder or that subjects are unfamiliar, or perhaps the stress of a new environment or new commitments proves a little more difficult than expected.
Sudden independence can also seem like a difficult adjustment and may require some getting used to. Some students embrace the sense of freedom that comes with finishing school, but it's not uncommon to struggle when faced with becoming self-reliant. Living away from home for the first time or living on a student income can also cause some stress. See Study destinations and Student income for more information.
Tips for school-leavers beginning tertiary study
Stay organised
Tertiary study can be a bit overwhelming at times, but you can save yourself a lot of stress if you're organised. This could be as simple as attending O-Week or printing off a map before your first week of classes. If you know that you have trouble digesting new content, why not get an early start by flicking through your textbook before each of your introduction lectures? You'll hear this time and time again but it really does help to stay on top of assessment, especially towards the end of semester as things start to pile up. Allowing yourself plenty of time to complete assignments or study for exams will give you the best chance to succeed in your course while minimising stress at the same time.
Embrace change
You're bound to come across more than a few changes as you adjust from school to tertiary study, so keep an open mind and get ready to embrace change. If you know that during school you struggled to keep up with your schedule, remind yourself that tertiary study is all about independence and taking on the challenges that come with it and perhaps you'll learn to love getting organised and being on time. If you're moving away from home for the first time, think about the positives (no curfews or nagging about your lifestyle) and try to forget the negatives.
Ask for help when you need it
Too few students ask for help when they need it. Try to keep in mind that institutions offer a huge range of support services that can help you with any issue you’re experiencing, from personal issues to those of an academic nature. If you're not sure about the services your institution offers, see Student services and facilities for an outline of what may be available. This includes raising questions in tutorials too. If you don't understand something or need further clarification, speak up! It's likely that someone had the same question but was too afraid to ask.
