Written by: Moseza Putri
Is this your first time living away from home? Or even living abroad? The nerves will hit you either way when saying goodbye to your family and friends, but the adrenaline also starts to kick in once you reach Newcastle.
Everything seems new and you start trying to discover everything on your own. Here are some of my tips on figuring life on your own in university and how to transition seamlessly into Higher Education.
Living Alone for the First Time
Making friends
My first tip is to make friends. Having friends to hang with or even go grocery shopping with will definitely give you some comfort. The easiest way is to start small talk with your flatmates and get closer to them. In most instances you don’t choose your flatmates in the first year, which makes that scary but fun. These people will be around you for the whole year, so it will be great to have a good relationship with them!
Aside from friends in your home, making friends outside can be tricky and daunting. However, it is good to remember that everyone is just trying to make friends in university. It is equally as daunting for both parties, so why not just make the first move.
Many international students have this fear of approaching the local students – I was one of them as well, don’t worry. My biggest lesson is that no one is intimidating or judgmental at all! In my experience I have found other students to be curious and respectful of my culture, so go out there and showcase your culture to them!
Get used to how the city works
Take some time to walk around and observe how the city works. Take a look at the shops available, the prices of groceries and food, or where the university libraries are. Immerse yourself in this new environment and get to know this new city you will be spending the next few years in.
Once you are comfortable with everything, you will find yourself slowly acclimatising to the culture here. Pro tip: in the first few months, the currency exchange might seem different as you will be constantly comparing the prices to your home currency. Don’t worry because this will slowly go away.
Transitioning into Higher Education
Keep up with the university work from the start
One of the most crucial aspects of transitioning into university, is to get used to the academics from beginning of first year. The first few classes might seem intimidating, but don’t worry because it is usually just the introduction classes. However, these are important for you to be aware of what you are learning throughout the module and to know how to pace yourself as you start your university journey. Module handbooks and timelines uploaded onto Canvas, are also useful to look at to familiarise yourself with what to expect next.
Make use of all the university resources available for you.
If you are struggling in different areas, such as writing a university-level essay or tight finances for groceries, know that the university has plenty of services to help you.
There is academic help from the library, or even a student pantry in the Students’ Union that is there to help you, if this is needed.
There are plenty of clubs and societies for you to choose from. This is great for making friends or trying out a new hobby in university. Get to know the university and everything it has to offer so that you know where to look at when you need something.
Whatever it is, just know that you will figure things out and find your place in the new city and in university. Just enjoy the ride of this new adventure and if you ever need some extra help, there will be many around you who could give you some guidance.