V

VitalVera

It’s the start of Week 7 and things are getting stressful! The assignments never end and I've been pretty bad, starting assignments pretty last minute and guessing a lot of my quizzes. I've explored Monash University (Clayton) a lot more now, taking different paths around campus and going into areas that don't belong to my faculty (Science).

BIO1011: We had a lab report due recently and it took so much effort to write. I didn't start until 4 days before it was due hahaha. I blame no one but myself, but we got there in the end. We have the same lab partner every time so I've gotten to know her a bit better and it's been fun doing labs with her. Content wise, it's been a lot. Since the unit covers a wide variety of biology, it's been a really big mix of plant bio, cells, genetics etc. Don't hate or love this unit.

EAE1011: Same feelings as in week 3. I don't like it :/ I'm so confused with the content and the video lectures are really dry.

MTH1020: The applied classes are super enjoyable as it's only less than 20 of us in each class and my TA is so good with helping us with questions. We spend the whole 2 hours doing the worksheet or assignment, super chill class. The biggest problem is that the content is so difficult. The assignment I have due this week is like nothing I've ever seen before and I don’t even know where to start. I feel really dumb surrounded by smarter math guys who can answer every question in the lectures but it is what it is.

SCI1000: I don't hate this unit as much as EAE1011. The only thing that keeps me coming is the attendance mark and the fact that I really enjoy the people I sit with. Other than that, very bland.

I've met friends in the majority of my classes which is such a positive because it makes class that bit more enjoyable. Of course, I'm a little bit behind on my lectures but I will work hard to catch up. I still see my high school friends every now and then but a lot less. Not long soon before exams and the end of semester!

Thanks for reading!
Vera

Billzene I'm taking SCI1000 currently and it's definitely not my favourite :/

Quick update before Week 1 starts : )
Monash Jumpstart
So the Thursday before O-Week started I decided to go to the Monash Jumpstart, which was basically an orientation program for new undergrad students like me. I went with a few friends but we didn’t get assigned to the same group.

I checked in my name and then got assigned a group for the day at around 9:30 am with the main activities starting at around 10 am. Each group had a MASA volunteer leader holding up a sign so you could find your group. It took me forever to find mine somehow but we got there at the end lol. In our groups, we rotated around activities such as building stuff with Lego, ice breakers like keeping the ball off the floor and this wellness activity at the Monash Sport where we did some light stretching and movements.

The group I was in already had pairs of people who knew each other from outside of Monash so it was incredibly hard to try to socialise and meet the members of my groups because they all talked with their other friend. I did manage to make friends with these two girls who were kind enough to let me hang out with them. Funnily enough, we had mutual friends from our high schools respectively from knowing people in primary school. Although my group wasn’t that close I did see my other friends’ groups more close and engaging with each other so maybe my group was just a one-off experience. I left early to catch the 3 pm bus.

Was this day skippable and at times useless? Yes. The activities at times were irrelevant.

I would recommend it if you wanted to meet new students like yourself, especially if you were an international or interstate student. If you already know some people in your course or don’t have the time to attend this event - it’s very skippable. There are more opportunities to meet new people in the future if you make the effort.

O-Week
Last entry I wrote that I was planning to go on Mon and Tues for tours. That didn’t manage to happen haha.

I only went on Monday for this Science Orientation at 10:15 am and went on zero tours lol. We first had a Faculty Welcome from the Dean of Science, teaching staff and MSS for an hour and a half at the Alexander Theatre and then
free time to do a scavenger hunt around the main science buildings or go into the science lounge to play games. I opted to do the scavenger hunt with two of my friends and 4 other people we met living on campus from Sydney. The 7 of us were pretty slow at it because we had no idea where any of the buildings were or really where anything was at all. We had like 9 locations to go to, find a QR code and then answer some questions relating to science. They were pretty fun questions like Scientist or Serial Killer, Rock or Cake, take a selfie with the Monash mascot and general science questions like what is “Myrmecology” the study of (we had no idea and guessed). After we finished the scavenger, we got a box of Cadbury favourites!

After that, one other of my friends and I split off with the group after that and said our goodbyes as it was already 1:20 pm and still wanted to see the club stalls and eat lunch. Bought a lab coat and goggles at MSS and then walked around by myself to see clubs I’m interested in before taking the bus and going back home.

That day was already long enough and I still can’t believe it takes me a full hour to get back home AND I have to change buses which never comes on time. I saw a good amount of people from high school and some old friends who I met in Year 7 but never kept in contact with. It’s still weird to think that I’m no longer a high school student??!!

To end on a good note, I managed to change my timetable around a bit and only have to go on campus every 2 or 3 days, rotating every week!

I’m excited (and VERY nervous) for my first set of classes.

Thanks for reading this long post!!
Vera

_sophiestudies_ ayy thank you for reading!! I'm also very excited for what this year will bring! I'm planning to not study with as much intensity as year 12 but still take my studies seriously, so I'll keep your advice in mind!

Oh wow, I didn't know that. Thanks for the heads up!

Billzene Thinking about physiology and then minoring in maths or stats. Time will tell if it comes out this way or not haha.

I know last year when I got accepted to La Trobe's Aspire Early Entry program they gave us a free AtarNotes+ subscription. However, I think applications open later in the year, closer to end-of-year exams.

Hi everyone!

I'm Vera and I graduated last year from VCE with an Atar of 92.75. This year I'll be studying a Bachelor of Science from Monash University! I'm quite excited because all my units seem pretty interesting and I get to study what I enjoy; science and maths. I plan on documenting my journey regularly (hopefully, but we'll see haha) as a way to look back on these years

I have some ideas on what I want to do after this degree such as doing a Masters in Public Health, but other than that, I have no idea. I'm hoping these next three years will give me a bit more clarity on what I want to do in life. Though, unlike many Science/Biomed students, I know for a fact I most likely DO NOT want to do medicine.

My First Semester Subjects
BIO1011 Blueprints For Life
EAE1011 Earth, Atmosphere & Environment 1
MTH1020 Analysis Of Change
SCI1000 Science To Influence Change

I'm going to uni 4 times a week with Tuesdays off. Yes, I stuffed up my timetable a bit by having to go to campus for only one class on Mondays. I will learn for next semester haha because the bus does take a decent amount of time to get to Monash from my house

Next week is O Week
I signed up for stuff on Monday and Tuesday. Mainly just a campus, performing arts and a library tour. I have friends going with me and in the same course, so overall I'm not feeling too nervous yet.

Outside of uni-related things, I'm currently job hunting. I'm finding it really difficult to find a job or even to get anyone to reply back to me :/ I got a response from Kumon but it's a bit far away from where I live. I applied for a OSHC Company and I'm praying they get back to me with something positive!

Anyways, that's all for now. Thanks for reading!!
Vera