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  • Things I wish I knew going from Year 12 to University

Hi friends!
I'm a second year student at university, and I've had time to think back on the awkward shift between high school and university. It's not easy, and I fear that some underestimate it. Here's a few things I want Year 12s, or 2025 university beginners to consider.
You will be spending less time in class: Depending on what uni you go to, and what course you study, you won't be in class 9-3:30, five days a week. Sometimes, you might have full days off uni, and you can study, work or just lounge about. But make sure you keep motivated, set a study schedule, if you must
It's not easy: The first few weeks of semester are pretty breezy. But once your assignments start coming in, you'll find yourself studying and revising a lot, usually by Week 4. Don't assume the whole thing is gonna be easy by finishing the first week
You don't have to go to class: You're an adult, you are responsible for organising your own life now. Those 9-11 classes always hurt, but you don't have to go to any classes, unless it's for something like a presentation or lab class.
You should probably go to class though: If you miss one class, that's fine, whatever. You can always look at the content online, but try not to miss too many classes, otherwise you might miss important information about assignments or content. Some classes also count the attendance as a part of your final grade, so keep that in mind
Go to O-Week: O-Week might not seem important, but it's definitely worth going, especially if you're a first-year. You'll get plenty of study tips, resources and information, and a chance to meet other students, who you might share a common interest, or class with. There are different clubs, sport teams and communities to discover too, and some places near campuses hold parties, where you can meet even more people
Make friends: This is one of the most important things I can suggest. In high school, you have to spend time with classmates, in the schoolyard. Because there's less time spent at uni, there's less interaction with other students, and less chance to make friends. This is why it's important to go to parties, make friends, check out communities, etc. You can still be friends people you met in high school, but they'll be busy as well, so First Year can sometimes be lonely
Get a hobby/job during the breaks: Mid-year break for me was 6 weeks long. Sounds like a nice time, but for the latter half, I was bored out of my mind. Nothing to do, nothing to stress about, I needed something to keep me from going nuts. During the summer break this year, I'm thinking of going on a road trip, and maybe teaching myself another language. I need to keep my brain stimulated, otherwise I'll get bored
Don't expect to get everything right immediately: University and high school are very, very different. Just because you did good in high school doesn't mean you'll do great in uni. If you get your first essay back, and are underwhelmed by your mark, don't worry. The library has study tips available, and your lecturers can give feedback on how you can improve. My first essay was 55%, I ended up getting a 75 for the next one in that class. Adjusting to uni takes time, as does the essay writing.

I think I mentioned everything I wanted to. If there are any Year 12s with questions about what to do, feel free to reply. Or if there are any university students with things to add, please write them bellow

Definitely agree with this!
Only thing I would add is if you're planning on moving interstate for uni, or are a country kid - check out residential colleges. If that's an option for you, highly highly recommend taking it - at least for your first year. The social connections, support, and lowkey just not having to cook for yourself is AMAZING.

Good luck 🙂
-G Class of 22'

11 days later

A few more things I'd like to add, after another week
Make friends if you are living on residence: Everyone is new, and out of their comfort zone at uni residence. Make friends, so you can feel more at home. As you get to know them better, suggest cooking together, going to the supermarket, etc. It's small stuff that helps bonds grow
Also don't be messy: In your room, it doesn't matter as much, especially if you get your own room, but OH MY GOD, KEEP THE KITCHEN AND BATHROOM CLEAN!!!!!! I did a semester on res at another uni, and shared a kitchen with 10 other people, and there was this one girl who pretty much ignored the pile of dishes THAT SHE MADE! It would sometimes stay there for almost a week until she needed her pots and pans again. Filthy, crumbs everywhere, always a weird smell too. A lot of people in my building didn't even bother to cook, purely because of that
Don't get takeaway every night. I shouldn't have to say this to adults: Especially if you're coming from a rural area, don't rely on Macca's, KFC, etc. Learn to cook and sustain yourself, rather than wasting more money on expensive food. Nutrients are everything as well, if you want to study well too. If you can get to uni, an oven shouldn't be rocket science to you. But every now and then, you can treat yourself with some takeaway
Try new methods of studying/revising: When I was in high school, I hated the idea of studying in the library. Too many distractions, kind of noisy, not a great working space. My internet went out in the last week of Year 1 at uni, which was stressful, because I had a 2000 word essay, and a 2700 word philosophy due. I got frustrated, so I tried the uni library, and I got so much done in a few quick nights. It was comfortable and a great study environment. I always go back there now, and my grades have improved since then
Explore your campus, even the places you might not normally go: If you have an hour or so between classes, I recommend walking around the campus, getting your bearings and exploring the different buildings. Stroll through the science buildings, check out the libraries, maybe see what the Arts building looks like. It's a good way to clear your head, and also get into the feeling of being at university
Don't brag about your ATAR. Ever: Whether you're doing a course that needs an ATAR of 50, or 90, no one likes a bragger. And once you get to uni, it doesn't matter anyway, plus it'd be a bit embarrassing if you flop on the first assignment
If there's any more to add, or any questions from pre-uni students, feel free to reply below!

    FinFin-3rdYearUni what would you suggest are good methods of studying and revising? doesn't have to be uni-specific even if you found stuff useful in year 12 🙂

        FH maaaaaaaan, Year 12 was pretty hazy for me, I honestly gave up around August, so my exams were pretty flop.
        My best advice is to do plenty of practice exams to revise for the actual exams. Not only to understand the content, but it also prepares you mentally for when you're actually taking it. I could also recommend taking breaks every now and then. Don't study for hours and hours at a time, even studying less on a Saturday or Sunday. My days off from study are Tuesday and Friday, because that's when I have most of my classes, and I work late on Friday's.
        I find group study to be effective, as long as you are all driven and stay motivated. It's good to bounce ideas off others, and also make lists of things you need to work on.

        At uni, I've only done one exam, and it was open book and online, and in Year 12, my best exam score was a C or maybe a C+, they've always been my weak point, so I don't know what else to suggest. Uni requires you to use research journals and articles, which can be tricky, but with the help of Ctrl+F, you'll be okay

        • FH replied to this.

            FinFin-3rdYearUni yeah as we are in august im trying to get more and more productive because i’ve honestly slacked off this month, only locking in when i really have to. i’ve also been trying to take breaks every now and then, which unfortunately tend to occur during my study periods when i should be working lol.

            and uni tasks sound like so much fun— extended investigation (vce subject im taking this year) involved gathering information from research journals and articles, so hopefully that has put me in a bit of advantage.

            thanks for the tips, hopefully i make it to november 😅

                FH Uni assignments can be pretty different to high school, depending on what you do. Essays become longer, but it's much easier to get a higher word count, citations can be a pain to learn, but once you master them, you'll be fine. Oral presentations can be daunting, but they're probably my preferrable assessment. Lab assignments in science are always fun too, but you'll need to supply your own lab coat and goggles, at least at my uni. Essay marking is a lot more broad, so you can take a small essay question and go in any crazy direction you want. The articles you'll find are deep and insightful too, so you'll get plenty of information out of them.
                I'd rather a 2500 word essay in uni over a written SAC in high school any day

                  3 months later

                  Lecturers won't know you: In high school, your teacher knows you on a first-name basis, and sees you multiple times a week for more than an hour. In university, you're one of maybe 500 students in their lecture hall, which has little to no class discussion. When you email them, state your name, and which class you're in, because they probably have never heard of you. In some classes, there might be a dozen of you, and the lecturer will know you, but in most classes, you're just another student

                  Try everything, even outside of uni: University is a great way to socialise, since we're all now adults. If you see a flyer for a pub event, or gathering that interests you, take some time to check it out. You find people with similar interests, and maybe someone in your class you never talk to either. O-Week is a really good chance for all of this too, but even during the school year, it's good fun

                  Look around for clubs: Sport teams, hobby clubs, even cultural meetings; these can all be very beneficial. I joined the volleyball team for my university, and I met loads of good people, even from other clubs. I always see communities for Punjabi, Asian, and International students, and they're always welcoming and active. Look around during O-Week, and throughout the year, also on the university social media pages too!

                  Do NOT cheat on ANYTHING: omg, university takes cheating very seriously. In high school, you might get a slap on the wrist, or a letter home to your parents if you copy off someone else. In university, you risk getting expelled. Every essay you submit will be run through TurnItIn, to make sure you haven't copied off anyone else's essay, or just copied and pasted information. If a lecturer suspects cheating of any kind, they'll send you straight to a board of administrators, and I've heard it can be hard to plead innocence. Even working together on the same essay or a quiz with friends can be risky, so avoid it at all costs. Most universities have a short compulsory online module to inform you about cheating, so be sure to read into that early

                  Uni is nothing like high school: This I heard all the time in my First Year, from the students and lecturers. Just because you did well in high school, does not mean you'll do fine in uni. A friend of mine got an ATAR in the low 90s, but dropped out of uni after a year, because it wasn't for him. Meanwhile, some kids who did alright in high school are excelling in uni, because they enjoy the autonomy, and ability to study however, whenever. Not every student with a good ATAR will fail though. Just understand how it all changes.

                  Don't be a nerd: DO NOT be one of those losers who spends every Friday and Saturday night stuck in his room doing study. DO NOT be some dork who avoids every social event, just to revise content for the fourth time. Get outside, enjoy a hobby, be social, find friends. Even just going out somewhere for a drink, and enjoying the atmosphere. You might have your silly little rivalries with kids in your Methods or Physics class, but in uni, that doesn't exist. Scores are scores, not rankings. If you have an essay due that night, definitely stay home and finish it off, but don't spend all your time, away from everyone else, studying and revising. You're an adult, try to be social, and enjoy yourself. There's bound to be at least one person with similar interests and ideas to you

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