Deakin rollercoaster - the ups and downs of university life

-By Ryan D'Souza


When I started to think about this blog topic, I had no idea where to start and where to end. Really speaking, the ups and downs of university life are so many that one can go on and on. You ask any student about his/her experience at university, and you can come up with a huge book.



Let me share with you my experience at Deakin. The first good thing was that I received an offer letter from the University. Being accepted by a prestigious and renowned university gave me immense pride. When people asked me, ‘Which university are you studying at?’, and I replied, ‘Deakin,’ it gave me a tremendous sense of satisfaction that I had decided to pursue my dreams at one of the best universities in Australia.

But then started week one!


The system of education in Australia  was completely different from that in my home country. During week one, I was bombarded with lots and lots of information about units, assignments, workshops etc and as the weeks kept flying, I wondered how was I surviving. There is also the cultural transition that international students have to make, and this can be a very difficult process at times. The good thing is that you don’t have to feel stressed - the university is there to help you and of course, you have friends whom you can always rely on.

Speaking of friends, I have made and continue making new friends from different countries - friendships that I will cherish forever. I have also had the opportunity to mentor new students and this has been very fulfilling for me. Doing well in exams and obtaining good grades has been very rewarding as well. Balancing studies and work has helped me to become more focussed and improve my time-management skills. Above all, my post-graduate studies have broadened my thinking and equipped me with skills that will certainly help me in my professional career.

I am waiting for that special day - the day we all look forward to! I can already visualise myself standing in a line waiting for my name to be called and then being crowned a graduate! At that moment, I will think about the first day when I started my degree at Deakin, I will think about the struggles and difficulties I faced, I will think about the hardships and the trials I went through, I will think about the sleepless nights I had, and I will smile with a tear in my eye, and say, ‘Well done Ryan, it was worth it!’

Lost? Unsure? Let student services help you!

-By Erzsebet

I remember walking into university for the first time. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed not knowing what was to be happening next. I had been to the university many times before for rehearsals, and other little events here and there. What I did not know is that there are many services that can make transition to university life just that little bit easier. So I went for a little walk to see what I could find.

My first unit chair at Deakin was very welcoming and took the time to sit down and discuss my areas of concern especially as, coming back to on campus was the biggest hurdle in my life (well one of them!) She suggested the Disability Resource Centre-DRC. The staff at DRC assist those who have special needs, whether medical, or other. Together, with the liaison officers, I created a Learning Access Plan. This is a confidential document that assists the staff to ensure your needs are met.

Learning has never been my strong point but I found through ads that there were Language and Learning Advisers who can help with your work. I made an appointment and they gave me an hour session and we were able to go through what I need help with. These ranged from Essay writing skills to referencing in the different styles that are essential to the subject areas I am studying. They also suggested me to go to Study Skills workshops which help students in better academic writing and learn some useful tricks. These workshops have been really helpful and my marks have shown significant improvement since I have been at Deakin.

More often than not without realizing, we can feel overwhelmed, anxious or stressed. Effects of these symptoms vary from person to person. This sort of thing can affect the everyday functioning of an individual. I know from a personal level that my emotions can overtake me when I least expect it. The Counselling service at Deakin was and continues to be such a wonderful service to use as hard as it was at first! If you are feeling really down and out, don’t be afraid to ask for help! I even learnt there are medical services available for students right on campus! Nurses, Doctors, Counsellors, how much more convenience could one ask for?

Careers?! AHH! What do I want to do?! How will I get there?! So many ideas came and went through my mind. So I went to the Careers office-Jobshop. They offer resume checks, career tests, cover letter checks, etc. Last year, I went to an appointment with an adviser who helped me to work out that I was destined for area that I have always loved! – Commerce/HRM.

I recommend students to make the best use of all the DSL services that are provided, right here on campus.They are here to help us succeed and make the most of our time here at Deakin.

Orientation: Where is the Library?

-By Vanessa

Looking out from the fourth floor 24 hour computer lab window with ear phones in to help me focus (Beyoncé-Who rule the world - girls) I notice orientation is on again for first years.

Oh did you hear that?  A tone of, "yes been there done that!"

There are endless lines of students following trustingly.  I remember following and thinking; Oh Bleep how am I going to remember how to find the car again?  As I was lacking in Hansel and Gretel breadcrumbs I tried remembering particular points to no avail.  I felt like I was in a game of follow the leader but the only problem was at some point the leader would say bye and abandon and hide, laughing from behind the bushes.

Embarrassingly I did get lost! Even with the campus map. I kept looking for the letters on doorways and then found they were on the sides of the buildings.  I did eventually find my bottle green Toyota corolla (Myrtle the turtle - Yes, I did name my first car, doesn't everyone!)

Later on I joined yet another line to have my photo taken for my student card.  As they handed it to me I noticed I had a number and it was official, I had my license to learn.
Reality kicked in...

Year 12 was over and now university had begun.

I heard the words lecture, tutorials, DSO, Unit guide, Faculty and something about a star. What did they say- we have to register to be a star? Apparently to my disappointment it was the online timetabling system to register for classes, not a Deakin’s' Got Talent Search.

I had information overload by the end of the week, I thought I listened and absorbed everything.

But apparently I had not.

I didn't know the difference between a lecture and a tutorial.  I turned up with all my books to the lecture and tried in vain to write every word down, only to be told at the end of the lecture that the slides would be posted on DSO that evening.  Then I turned up to the tutorial without any books expecting to sit and listen like in the lecture with 400 others.  No, a big mistake, the tutorial was a class of about 20 and I was the only one without my books avoiding the tutor's glance as they asked for a response.  

I was however impressed with myself that I managed the online timetable system (STAR) with ease.  I even managed to fit all my classes into two days!  Woo hoo three days free a week!

Soon my joy turned to disappointment as my timetable was not workable.  Did I mention there is no recess or lunch bell at all?  I needed to arrange my classes to allow time for breaks.  I also realised I booked in for a tutorial on opposite sides of campus.  Let’s just say for the physically challenged with the ten minutes between classes I learnt my lesson.  The next trimester I learnt to balance my days to allow for breaks, study and yes tracking across campus.

First year was a challenge.  I didn't know a single person on day one.  I can't remember how many times I said, “Hi!"  and "What are you studying?” as opposed to prison talk of "What are you in for?". Having friends on-campus helped. 

I understand now it took time to adjust, learn new skills, make friends and most of all settle in. 

................................................................................

I am so temped to say something to some first years trying to decipher a campus map.  I stop myself, instead I say excuse me as I pass through to the vending machine to swipe my Deakin card and collect my Lychee Tea.

"I found it; we are here, so the library is building V which is that way!”