Uni is like school but without the itchy jumpers, grumpy teachers and pre-packaged canteen food, and with endless casual clothes days, young tutors and schmancy cafes.
It’s right in that sweet spot between childhood and adulthood where you still get to hang out with your mates on the daily but you have more responsibilities.
Sure, we go to uni to study and find jobs and become better at doing life, but it’s also about the ~experience~. It’s about enjoying the fun and the freedom and embracing the opportunities that come our way.
And by ‘opportunities’ I definitely mean college parties, eating one too many free brownies, and using the campus bean bags to have a nap (just don’t tell your mum).
But hitting the ground running straight outta high-school can be scary. Swapping school uniforms for newfound freedom is great in theory but what the hell does the practice look like?
They don’t teach you how to take notes while playing Tetris at high school. But lean in, young grasshopper, I’m about to rock your (uni) life with some fundamental must-dos.
Give everything a go
I know, I know, I sound like your mother but don’t roll your eyes at me young lady/man.
You never know unless you try, so join the damn club, go to the party you’re thinking about bailing on, and learn the language you keep saying you’re “gonna give a go”.
Don’t give me that, “there’s nothing I like” excuse. Uni’s have a range of clubs you can join so you’ll definitely be able to find something.
Take Swinburne University of Technology. They have over 70 clubs and societies for you to choose from, including totally normal choices like Italian Club to niche niches like Swinburne Afro Society (you know what they say: curls get the girls).
Don’t be afraid to take is a leap of faith.
Just have fun with it
Having fun makes everything more fun. You should always put in effort where it counts but also don’t take things too seriously- trust yourself, trust the process, trust that things will work out in the end and just enjoy the ride.
Uni is the time to experience new things and learn along the way- you may as well enjoy it.
Want to stay up on a school night? Do it.
Want to dye your hair pink? Why not.
Want to go on a pub crawl and end up crawling home? Not recommended but you do you.
Like I said, just have fun with it.
Don’t try to plan everything
I love me a list. I write shopping lists and schedules and set myself reminders whenever I have to do things. But there are some things in life that can’t and shouldn’t be planned and, often, they’re the best things.
Sometimes you start out studying a Bachelor of Science and finish with a Bachelor of Communications (yes, I’m talking from experience). I didn’t plan on changing my mind or changing my career. If someone had told me the path I would take before I got there, I probably would have freaked out and bailed. But sometimes not planning and not knowing is a blessing.
Was it unexpected? Sure.
Worth it? Definitely.
Regrets? Zero.
Uni always has you covered too: there’s a bunch of people around to offer advice and courses for you to fall back on. Swinburne University’s courses range from a Bachelor of Arts to a Bachelor of Animation, and that’s just the A’s.
There’s something for each of your passions and mid-degree crises where you decide you need a change of pace.
Welcome your missteps
Scars and all. They’re what keep things interesting and, ultimately, are what make you unique.
Your unique points will open new conversations and make people want to talk to you. There is no such thing as mistake, only a lesson in the making Recognise what went wrong and course correct,
Which leads onto my next point:
There are no dead ends, only detours
The journey to your destination may not follow a direct route, but you’ll always get there in the end. If you adapt along the way and take the necessary detours you’ll regret nothing.
Growing up, I always wanted to be a writer. But all the adults in my life told me that I couldn’t just write for a living – it wasn’t sustainable – so I swapped my dream for a more realistic career in Veterinary Science.
Having a go at something else made me realise what I really wanted to do. Fast forward and I write for a living. I went around the world to get here, but I got to my destination in the end.
Yes, you can and should make friends at uni
I won’t lie, making friends at uni is hard. There’s nothing that kills a potential friendship more than being lumped into a group assignment together and realising the person you thought could be your new BFF is the type of person that doesn’t pull their weight.
That doesn’t mean you can’t find a mate, you just have to put yourself out there. Just say “hi”. Or, if you’re like me and my now best friend, tell them you like their backpack.
Friends make uni more fun and definitely more bearable. One thing you’ll definitely regret is spending your degree alone.
Remember you won’t get to do this again
One of my biggest regrets is not getting to go on exchange while at uni. I looked into going, but the timing “wasn’t right”. At least, that’s what I told myself.
Looking back now I realise I was probably a little scared and didn’t want to compromise the big European holiday I had planned to study abroad. The thing is, I can always go on a holiday. I can’t go back now and do an exchange trip.
Uni isn’t around forever and it’s important to remember that. Grasp all of the opportunities that come your way with two hands and roll with it.
Have fun, make mistakes, ride the wave, make some friends, and you won’t regret a single thing. Except maybe that one party where you insisted you could do the worm…
If you want to read about some inspiring Swinburne students who are living it up with no regrets check out their stories here.
They did it, so can you. #REGRETNOTHING