Eight tips for surviving your first year living on-campus

The drive to your uni campus of choice on moving day is probably the most turbulent journey you’ll ever experience. You’ll be amazed at how your mind can simultaneously feel such increasing excitement and overwhelming dread, and you’ll probably have the urge to jump out and sprint the rest of the way or spend the rest of your life in that car. Alas, the trip must come to an end in order for you to experience the highs, lows and uncleanliness of campus life. Harness these tips, put on your best smile, and you’ll be sure to come out with amazing – if not a few hazy – memories.

Just say “yes” (to social invitations)

After a long day of uni or work and a bad night’s sleep the previous day, all you want to do is have a warm shower and spend the night in bed with your laptop. And then someone asks you to join them for a night out or for some casual Sunday bevvies. The last thing you feel like doing is putting any effort into getting dressed, but unless you’re recovering from sickness or working to a deadline, say “yes” as much as possible. You’re never going to remember the night you stayed inside and ate a block of chocolate.

Fake confidence until you feel it

When you’re initially settling in, stepping outside the confines of your room can be extremely daunting. You’ll forget people’s names as soon as they state them and politely say “ah, yes,” when they tell you where they’re from a place you had no idea even existed. If you always smile, say “hi” to people you pass in the hallway and strike up conversations with people you sit next to. You’ll feel comfortable and familiar with your new campus mates in no time.

Let your parents know you’re alive

It can be easy to get caught up in your new life. Rest assured your parents are sitting at home worrying about your safety and wellbeing, so jot down every week on your calendar to call and chat with mum and dad. It might be worth leaving out the details of late-night (early-morning) adventures and horrible hangovers.

Eat green things and go jogging

With so many people living in such close proximity of each other, it’s inevitable that you’ll become bedridden with the flu at least once. Ensure you eat your veggies, and make time to include exercise and fresh air.

Get involved

There’s one sure way to get the most out of your campus experience, and that’s by involving yourself as much as possible. Attend events, sign up to a community program, or join a team or club. Even if you suck, the point is that you tried.

Keep vitamin C by your bed

When you come home from a rowdy night on the town, you don’t want to be paying for it the next day. Avoid the headache and nausea by downing plenty of water and popping a vitamin C tablet before going to sleep.

Use protection

You want to leave uni with a degree, not an STI.

Be vigilant in maintaining privacy

This can be extremely difficult in an environment where everyone knows everything about each other. Keep friendly ties with everyone, avoid drama and, if you don’t want information to spread, don’t tell anyone anything. Keeping things on the DL may seem lame, but it’ll save you getting a negative reputation.

The magic does indeed happen outside your comfort zone. Go in with no expectations, be street-smart, and look forward to your best year yet.

Grace Potter

Grace studies Communications & Media at the University of Wollongong and is an avid fan of Harry Potter and coffee. 

Image: Brandon Nguyen, Flickr Creative Commons license