Sure, your university will provide you with a map and a timetable – and your older sibling will warn you to just say no to that party the night before final exams, but the truth is nobody can tell you exactly what your uni experience will be like. Except future you – and they’re not born yet.

But isn’t that kind of the point? That’s what graphic artist, designer and Swinburne University of Techonolgy alum Nathan Nankervis reckons. Uni isn’t about having all the answers up front – and that’s ok. “It’s about making it your own,” he says.

It’s advice that’s served him pretty darn well. Since graduating, he’s drummed up some seriously impressive business as a creative, including designing tees for Nike; one of which was worn by Roger Federer at the Australian Open.

That said, there are some universal truths almost every uni student comes to realise at some point during their years at uni – more often than not at 3am – that don’t get nearly enough air time.

So, to save you a few all-nighters, we asked Nathan to lay on the real talk about the things he wishes he’d known before starting uni. You’re welcome, future you!

It’s All About Letting Your Freak Flag Fly

It’s not a stretch to say it isn’t always easy to be yourself in high school. What they don’t tell you about starting uni is that you’ll be surrounded by people studying the same things as you, interested in the same stuff as you…and it’s great! Uni is your moment to let your guard down and “just be yourself,” says Nathan. “Be a weirdo. Be confident and proud and put yourself in your work (whatever that may be), ‘cause that really helps.”

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Finding A Uni Crew Can Be Daunting. But You Will. And When You Do, It’s SO. GOOD.

See point one. Now that you’re you, really you, it’s time to find your uni BFFs. “Just talk to people; that’s how I got through uni,” says Nathan. “Don’t be that guy who walks around with your headphones in.” Much like Harry Styles and One Direction, sharing creative work, ideas and new sources of inspiration with his own tight-knit group helped fuel Nathan’s own creativity in ways he could never have achieved alone.

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Extending Your Web Is Key

“Clubs, societies, art shows, parties; get amongst it,” says Nathan. For the introverts among us, social groups are also a surefire ticket to awkward-friendship-making-conversation town. Classes are important, sure, but it’s taking that next step, whether that’s attending a lecture by an expert recommended by your teacher, or checking out a new art exhibition, that’s going to keep you motivated and inspired by uni life.

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Your Teachers Want You To Ask Questions

University teachers are experts in their field, says Nathan, but people get shy and don’t realise how valuable it can be to sponge off their passion.  “Speaking to my teachers really helped me a lot,” he says. “Not just talking about my work, but talking about design or something that inspired me.”

 

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At Uni, The Time Management Struggle-Meter Goes Up To 11

“I wish somebody had told me how hard uni would be. It is tricky juggling your workload, a job, social life and personal life.” It’s a continual balancing act while you are at uni (pro tip: this never ends; you just get used to it – it’s called “adulting” and we’re all “still working on it”).

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Where You Start Might Not Be Where You End Up (And That’s Ok)

Nathan’s a big believer in using the classes you take at uni to diversify and explore your interests – and people don’t always talk about the fact that you might change your mind along the way. “I often used my uni design briefs as a way to explore other areas I was interested in,” he says. And it was this embrace of new opportunities that helped him find his groove as an illustrator.

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Deadlines Actually Matter (This One Will Set You Up For Life)

You probably already knew this, but Nathan’s here to remind you that deadlines definitely still matter at uni. Once you get out into the professional world, word travels fast and not sticking to deadlines can put a serious dent in your reputation. So even if you don’t start your project early, “start thinking about your ideas. Good things take time.”

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Food Costs Actual Cash Money

Don’t be the dummy who gets to the end of their first month at uni and realises they’ve spent $400 on gourmet salads. “Find your cheap food spots early on. That literally saved me,” says Nathan. Save your dollars for what matters.

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You (Yes, You) Will Fail At Least Once

“Shit’s gonna happen and you’re gonna mess up,” says Nathan – it’s inevitable. Don’t panic… this happens to all of us (even the type As). You will get through it. The trick? “Keep moving. At the time you think it’s the end of the world, but in the grand scheme it’s definitely not.”

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Follow Your Heart (No, Seriously)

Ok so this isn’t exactly a tip for getting through uni so much as a tip for killing it at life, but trust us: these are words to live by. “My whole game plan from day one was to do what made me happy. If you’re doing something you love, you’ll do it better than anyone else,” says Nathan.

“Part of the fun of uni is figuring these things out for yourself. Go live your life and attack it head-on.”

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Feature Image: Nathan Nankervis/Supplied

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Ready to dive into your uni life? Swinburne University of Technology welcomes you to Open Day on 30 July. It’s the most open of Open Days – feel the energy on campus and ask their academics as many questions as you’d like. Plus, Nathan will be there making live art, so pop by to catch him in action and say hi.