Following my own desire

Even when I am so close to the end of my course. I keep asking myself why I am studying law. Why?The blog post from earlier this year on course transfers had me wondering. For all the study I have done in my life I feel I must not be too bright if I have only worked things out this week. 
You see I have the answer to why I am studying law. 
And it goes like this: I liked the sound of it, it impressed my family and even my sister started introducing me by my future career. It was akin to name-dropping. It made me feel accepted in my family.

At the beginning of the year I answered my lecturer with pure honesty when she went around the class asking who intended to practice law when they finished – all answered yes, but me. She told me a law degree was the new arts degree – it could take you anywhere. The other students looked at me like I was mad when I said I was planning to do a Master of Arts by research next year. 
But no education is ever wasted – I want that engraved on my headstone, by the way. 
Still, it is important to do what you want to do and not let your choices be influenced by what others think of them, you own those decisions and you have to live with them.
I like to write, to edit, and to read. This is what I do as a part time job. It is what I see myself doing forever, not law.

I met a man who went to university and became an accountant. He worked as one for as long as he could before he realized that it was botanical science that was his passion and now he is spending his time outdoors and studying with a passion he never felt with accounting. 
Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should. From here on in, I am focusing on my desire; study can and should be enjoyed.

-Jo

Life as we know it

-By Aretha Zhen

Life as we know it

“I think Josh Duhamel from the movie ‘Life as we know it’ is truly one handsome guy!”

“No, he is definitely not handsome at all"


"Well your perception of who is handsome and who is not is utterly devastating!”

“No, it is you who has no taste at all!"

"No, it is definitely you!”

Cuttttt….. I’ll stop writing more about any stupid arguments…..

Hmmm well my beloved readers, hello! Please don’t be surprised with the stupid arguments I put up there. Those dialogues happened between me and my friends approximately a year ago, a time when we used to have arguments regularly. However, it only made me realize that although my friend and I may come from the same country but we indeed have different tastes. Well, that's why this post is called - life as we know it. Life could be kind and life could be bad too.

Coming to Australia as an international student, I'm sure a lot of you would have found out that Melbourne might be very different from your home country. It could be a lot bigger or a lot smaller. But all of this just makes me realize that studying in a different place is a new challenge. And the biggest challenge that possibly confronts us all is the difference in opinion and culture.

Getting back to the stupid dialogue I put up there, made me realize that everyone is different. No matter where we end up in the future- whether here in Australia or back in home countries or even some other planet (hehe..just joking. Sure thing not another planet, unless we are the crew of Star Trek, which I think will be quite cool:D), we will have a clash of opinion with others. All we need to remember is that everyone is different. So just be yourself, embrace what life offers you and get back every time life wants to beat you down. Just remember, life itself is one great big adventure! That’s why this life is the life as we know it!

As for my life at Deakin, the first time I came here I just went - oh My God! The term was very hectic as I had put a lot on my plate and I was going crazy trying to cope up with everything. I was stressed out and I knew that I needed help so I come to Student Life - the absolutely magical place where we can find out any information we need. From them, I found out that Deakin has a special service for international students called ISS - International Student Service Support. Just fix up an appointment with the ISS office and tell them your difficulties.Trust me, speaking to them really helps!

Up till today, Australia has been treating me well and I believe it will do so in the future. I try my best to enjoy every single moment of my student life here and am trying to make the most out of it. We international students, being away from family, can keep quite busy with either work or studies. But try to find time to spend with friends, and obviously, time to visit and explore this beautiful continent. Never forget, wherever you are now or in the future, keep trusting yourself, make new friends, and enjoy your life!


Cheerio

Melbourne: the city we all love

A big decision: How I applied for course transfer at the end of my second year

-By Sui On Tang

After finishing my second year at Deakin, and almost finishing a major in accounting for my undergraduate Commerce degree, I wasn't sure about what other majors I could take/ or was interested in for the remaining one year of the course. Also, I didn't have much hope for a course transfer since my first attempt at doing so at the end of Year one had failed. As the requirement for course transfers is average Distinction (70%), I knew my application would be rejected since my average was about 69%.

However, I could not resist applying for a second time. I really wanted to transfer to something that was of more interest to me – Bachelor of Arts (International Studies)/Bachelor of Commerce, where I could major in History and Accounting. As I had studied VCE History in high school and enjoyed it, I knew that studying History will not only give me a broader perspective on things, but I could choose a career of my liking at the end of the course. As a result, I put in my best effort to fill out the personal statement to persuade Deakin to allow me to change my course.

After a long waiting period of two months for the result of my application for course transfer, I was delighted to know that my application was approved. Indeed it was a brave and big decision for me, when I thought about the options of my future career in Hong Kong- my home country. In Hong Kong, Arts, especially History is not a popular subject. Parents don't really look upon it favourably and there is lack of opportunity for Arts students to get into high paying jobs. Luckily, my parents support me in my choice of pursuing History and so I haven't encountered as many difficulties as others.

Now I enjoy my current course and have also discovered some new hobbies, such as creative writing and literature. I believe that it is better to study a subject that I am interested in and build opportunities in that field rather than securing a high paying career that I may not enjoy. Now I hope to be into publishing, museums or maybe even becoming a historian. I know what I want my future to look like. My tip for you: if you are still not sure and just pondering about whether your course is right for you, I suggest you go and meet a course adviser in your faculty or career counsellors in Jobshop. They are really helpful and knowledgeable staff who can help you in planning a great career.

Balance, what balance?

-By Jodi

Balance, what balance? I know that’s what it feels like sometimes when the carpets need vacuuming (I know I put the vacuum somewhere…), your boss asks you to do extra shifts, and due dates for the assignments are looming. In that case there is no time for balance - it’s do whatever works!

If you can backtrack a step and listen to your parents/teachers/concerned aunty and do some organising then chances are that this level of chaos won’t eventuate. Yes, it is possible to go out with friends and complete assignments. It is also possible to have some time lying on a sandy beach soaking up the last of the sun’s rays and to turn up to work. There can be a balance.


Admittedly I am about to turn into one of THOSE students that us in the back row of class used to gaze at in wonder. You know the ones – they put up their hand to answer every question, they procure relevant quotes about the topic in question, eat lunch from neatly labelled lunch bags filled with organic produce from their own garden (very tasty by the way), and they hand in their assignments early. How do they do it?

I can’t say that I’ve got it right yet but here’s some organising tips that have helped me:

* Get a diary/use the calendar in your phone. Before class starts write in every date that is listed, including the start date of the trimester, when every assignment is due, the exact time and location of the tutorials, and when the exams are occurring. Tedious, I know, but it saves sooo much time later.

* Then map out your week, setting aside the relevant hours for study, work, alone-time, and social activities.

* Stick to the plan. I find this is what makes the balance work. For example, I have two study days set aside from my regular commitments and activities. At the start of the trimester I don’t have a lot to do because the assignments aren’t always listed and there are no close deadlines. This is the time that I do extra reading, borrow some books that are relevant to the subject from the library, and even make some draft notes for the assignment. Then when assignments are due I can concentrate on the specific task because I am ahead in the reading, etc.

* Switch off. Sometimes literally. I’ve found that one way of coping with the stress of university and all the expectations that come with that is to switch off the computer, fold up the class notes, shut the study books. If everything is going to plan then I have time to have a guilt-free coffee with friends, attend work, go for a swim/run/ride, have a nap(!) because I know that at the next scheduled time I will complete the tasks that I set for myself.


I know that sometimes it seems like a balance between social and academic life is an enigma but a large part of achieving a balance comes down to being organised and allowing yourself the freedom to relax as well.

Wishing you all the best in achieving an amazing academic and social life balance!