Starting uni fresh out of high school can be terrifying. Stepping out of your comfort zone and into the big, bad, scary world can be quite the transition after taking the same bus route and seeing the same people every day for five years.
While it is a little scary, it is also an exciting time. Starting uni means making new friends, diving into new experiences and finally studying something that you’re actually interested in.
If you’ve just made the transition (or are about to), here are a few ways to make the change a little easier.
Go to heaps of uni-organised events
Uni is a hub of organised social activity. If you find it really overwhelming to make your own plans, unis are home to hundreds of societies, clubs and organisations who’ll happily make them for you with weekly, fortnightly and monthly events.
There’s always general stuff like soccer teams and film-lover clubs to join, but you’ll be surprised at how niche things get too. Overall, it’s the easiest way to guarantee you’ll hang with people with the same interests as you for at least an hour a week, which is always comforting.
Make your place the designated hang-out spot
If you’re moving out of home for the first time to start uni, not having your beloved (albeit sometimes probably annoying) family will be a huge adjustment.
To make things a little easier, set up your new space as the designated hang-out spot for all your new friends. You can invite people over to finish assignments, chill, vent, pre-game – you name it. One of the most surefire options to ensure you’re crowned King/Queen of the Hang is by opting to live in a student accommodation space like Scape. Their Scape Suites are located in Melbourne right by the city centre and packed with heaps of amenities like pools, gyms and WiFi. They’re also big and comfy enough if you ever get lonely and need a trusty older sibling (or pet) to come for a sleepover too.
Take time for self-care
Change is overwhelming. It can make us stressed and anxious and feel straight-up chaotic. In that case, it’s integral to remember to take care of yourself during times like these.
While it’s important to indulge in little treats occasionally, building a routine focused on self-care is essential. Ensuring you’re eating well, exercising, drinking enough water and getting enough sleep will do wonders for you once you’re juggling study all-nighters and parties.
Keep in touch with your high schoolmates
While you might have headed to different unis to study other things, your old high school pals are likely going through the same stuff as you. Just because you’re on different paths in life, it doesn’t mean you still can’t support each other through new experiences and grow together.
Old friends are the ultimate comfort in life, and whether it’s hopping on Facetime to chinwag about the old days or catching up for brunch and a walk to discuss your hopes and dreams, there’s nothing better than keeping in touch. You’ll feel grounded and ‘at home’ amidst all the crazy change.
That all sounds manageable, right? If you’re still umm-ing and ahhh-ing about your accommodation options for next semester, head over to Scape to suss out all of their options. It’ll be one less thing you have to worry about.