As a uni dropout who has finally found her calling in a Bachelor of Arts at a different university, I am definitely a believer of the idea that your success in any degree is dependent on the attitude you take to school with you everyday.

I have found success in a degree that excites me not only because it’s what I’m passionate about, but because I have gone out of my way to engage with campus life. Here’s why you should too.

You’ll Find It Easier To Get Involved

During my first degree I didn’t know how to get involved with campus life, but more importantly I was too scared to even try. This was a mistake that I didn’t want to make the second time around.

When I moved schools I went out of my way to go to campus orientation days, leading me to get involved with causes I’m passionate about like donating blood. My willingness to get involved the second time around also made it easier to make friends, which really helped to take the stress off come exam period.

Trust Me, Take Initiative 

The transition between high school and university was something I found really difficult to adjust to. Suddenly you’re one of thousands of adults self-managing a degree for the first time. I really wish someone had warned me about just how big the leap between institutions would be.

This is why I strongly suggest making an effort to become friends with your classmates and not hesitating to get in touch with your lecturers if anything is unclear.

There were times during my first degree where I was really fortunate to get extensions on assignments that were just too much at the wrong time. Never be afraid to ask for help – your lecturers want to see you succeed.

As for classroom connections, during my first degree I was too scared to mumble even the most basic of greetings to my classmates; feeling like I was the odd one out or that I didn’t belong. What I failed to realise was that I was making myself the odd one out by not interacting with people like a normal human being.

Take pride in yourself, you’re awesome! Any classmate would be more than lucky to have you as their study buddy.

Use Facebook To Connect, Not To Hide

The biggest mistake I made when undertaking my first degree was keeping to myself and not making an effort to interact with classmates outside of my degree or online.

When I first started my degree I noticed that it is very easy to just keep to yourself, go to your classes and leave without really having to talk to anyone.

Facebook is such an awesome tool for engaging with almost everyone studying at your university with multiple groups, pages and events all specifically created for people just like you to get to know people.

When I first started my degree I noticed that it is very easy to just keep to yourself, go to your classes and leave without really having to talk to anyone. While that may be easy, you will find your satisfaction with your degree increases significantly once you step outside your comfort zone and meet like-minded people.

Be The Person People Want To Be Around

Make a conscious effort to only put out good energy and you will find that the people you attract into your life, even outside of uni, will all be like-minded.

Being positive can take a lot of practice, but as long as you remember to be kind to yourself and others, everything will eventually fall into place.

Look After Yourself 

Physical and mental health are both so important to take care of, especially when you’re taking on something as time-consuming as a new degree.

Make sure you keep hydrated, get plenty of sleep and eat well, allowing time for exercise and also wind-down.

As for mental health, do not suffer in silence. If you’re like me and find that your mental health is impacting your well-being and your degree I strongly encourage you to seek out on-campus counselling, (usually free, bonus!). It’s a confidential way to lighten the load of uni life and support you so that you can be at your best!

If there is only one thing you take away from reading this, give yourself the best shot you can to succeed. With my experience as testament, I can definitely tell you that positivity and persistence pays off.