University in Australia.

Hey guys I have questions about going to university in Australia and would like any feedback from any of you.

Well uhm, I am going to be going off to University in the foreseeable future and I was wondering if anyone has been or is in the same boat as me. I am moving into a city from a town that is so laid back, where wearing shoes is almost shunned. I am moving to Brisbane and I was going to attend UQ.

What's University like, in regards to friendliness and ease?

Should I live in a college or my own apartment. College is 300$p/w and my own apartment with friends would be 180$/w without food costs?

Any pointers of what to do?

How to settle in?

What will I realistically need, realising that I am moving so far out of my comfort zone?

 

You're entering UQ this coming year? Funnily enough, so am I. Maybe we'll be able to meet up. I can show you around Brisbane when I get back to Australia if you'd like - I'm just getting to the end of a 10-month long exchange to Japan. Message me if you're keen.

As far as living is concerned, keep in mind that the Colleges will provide food for you, and other facilities (don't take my word for it though. Check out the college websites). While it seems cheaper to share an apartment with friends the colleges at UQ from what I've heard are very well equipped. It also means you save a lot of money on travel costs, which is a big plus as you'll be living on campus.

 

Sweet man, that will be great. I have been there before but only for holidays. No nothing, have one cousin who's drug fucked and I doubt he even knows where he lives What are you studying?

I have been accepted into Union College. I was wondering about rooming with mates :/

 

I don't really know about UQ college lifestyle. I know enough from my experience in Japan that I'm not overly fond of dormitories personally though, haha. Then again, my dormitory is a Japanese highschool dorm filled with guys anywhere from 13-18, and almost all of them act like they've just hit puberty. I imagine a university college would be much better than that though.

If you have any questions about college lifestyle, send them an email or give them a phone call.

I'm going to be studying a dual degree, BE/BA - Engineering / Arts. Engineering has a general first year course setup, so I'll be selecting my majors next year, but for arts the entire thing will be an extended major in Japanese.


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Edit, looking at your location (Port Douglas) on Google Maps, yeah, that really IS out of the way, haha.

 

I want to experience it by living it? if that makes sense. The dorm I am going into is 1p rooms, with showers shared between 5 people. Co-ed dorms.

I have, I have. So nervous I have considered deferring.

Business is what I am going to be studying, but I might do business/it.

 

Well, I'm not sure about the nature of the people at UQ but if promiscuity bothers you I'd suggest getting used to the idea of people bringing girls back to their room often, haha. I dunno what the College rules are like though.

Gotta go to university sometime mate. The most daunting part for me has been course selection because it isn't streamlined at all. I had to send emails back and forth for quite a while in order to select which courses would be best. Going to have to study like a bitch because I'm doing 2 degrees, too.

 

The rooms are 1person. Nothing to worry about like that. I want them coming back with me I have sent many emails, asking for dorm rules/regulations but the seemingly automated response I get is "all will be disclosed on your first day". Which worries me as they want 3k upfront.

I want it done, mine was either IT or Business, science isn't for me.

 

Well, that just seems lazy on their part if that's the only response you're getting. Oh well, I suppose not everything can be accounted for perfectly, especially if you're having to come from such a far location. Some things may live up to your expectations and some mightn't.

 

My expectations aren't that great. Just don't know what to expect.

 

I've hung around dorms before, and I've never been a fan. But those were 2 people per room.

 

Compared to high school, university students are a lot more mature and friendly. People aren't really labelled losers and grouped. Everyone seems to get along for the most part.

Live in residence if you get the chance to. You will meet a lot more people and build close friendships that way since you will be doing things with people on your floor.

 

Definitely choose the dorm life to get the full experience. I currently live in a dorm, and it's the best thing ever. You live with friends/mates, and still can go home for the holidays/breaks. I don't know how active your University is in regards to nightlife and such, but try to take it slow man. You'll be fine. =]

 

Thanks for the feedback so far, but nobody has directly answered my questions

 

B~u~m~p

 

B|u|m|p

 

Well, as far as settling in is concerned the only thing you can really take things as they come to you. There's probably going to be a mini "culture shock" moving to a much bigger city to live in, but hey, if I can get used to living in Japan within a month you can get used to the city I'll bet. The "shellshocked" aspect of things only lasts for a short time.

As for what you'll need, apart from the general stuff anyone should travel with (as well as lifestyle implements you'll have to personally think about) the only thing you'll need if you're really worrying about things is balls of steel. Make sure you hang on to your confidence.

 

I have that under control, I won't be shocked.

I am just now asking from experience, who can tell me what they needed and used when they went away? (2000kms from home+)

 

From experience of friends I know who did boarding in HS some of them got sick of the repetitive/bad quality food, most of them skyped their parents, and there wasn't too much freedom.

However I'd believe it'd be different in college, there may or may not be curfews but I can guarantee that you will have some commitments in reference to your college (events, chapel) etc.

Also did you do year 12? ATAR?? Good luck!

 

I went to boarding school from years 8-12, difference being that I was close to home. So I would go home on weekends and stuff. The food there you make do? You bitch about it but its alright. I mean more materialistic things.

Hopefully not, the college I am looking at has no religious ties.

We do QCS.

 

I believe there are SOME college related activities at UQ, but I don't think they're religious. You'll probably be briefed on it before you start.