Become a more independent person with these 5 tips
If you鈥檙e about to finish high school and start uni, you鈥檒l be dealing with a whole lot of newness soon. Read our top five pieces of advice below and you'll be on your way to becoming a more independent person.
1. Be financially independent
Money can often cause stress for new students. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really important that you learn how to save,鈥� says medical student Gratia. 鈥淐ap yourself on your spending, because I found that sometimes I spend a lot.鈥� Finding a casual job also makes it easier to be financially independent. Search the Careers Centre website for workshops and browse for jobs available on .
There鈥檚 also a vast range of scholarships聽available for both undergraduates and postgraduates so check out which ones are 鈥� not only do they provide financial help, but scholarships can also boost your CV. Stick to a weekly budget and learn about student loans and bursaries, and what financial assistance you鈥檙e eligible for through the Financial Assistance Office.
2. Find your motivations
What makes you tick? We鈥檙e all motivated by different priorities and values, so this is the time to find what drives you. The motivating factor behind your decision to go to uni will sustain you through your degree and reward you with self-value and self-esteem.
Are you studying with a specific career goal in mind, or are you open to changing your mind? Which extracurricular activities, clubs, societies or internships could motivate you? Knowing your purpose will give you a sense of fulfilment that will last on past graduation.
3. Seek out information
Self-teaching is part of being your own person. As medical student Fei suggests, 鈥測ou have to check the weather app yourself鈥� before you leave for class. You鈥檒l need to learn to help yourself at uni, and part of this is knowing where to turn for more information.
础迟迟别苍诲听career workshops听补苍诲听mental health workshops聽to train yourself up, access online resources on聽, learn聽, and heaps more. Grab all opportunities that come your way for skilling yourself up, and you can always ask more experienced colleagues or staff for help.
4. Your marks don鈥檛 define you
Having taken control of your life, being independent also means owning your mistakes. You can鈥檛 know everything straight away, and it鈥檚 inevitable that you won鈥檛 work to the best of your ability until you鈥檝e settled in. If you鈥檙e disappointed after receiving your first assignment marks, come along to聽workshops聽for academic support at the Learning Centre.
5. Ask for help
Enjoying your freedom and being self-reliant is, at its best, knowing your limits and when you need to ask for help. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e got to be an adult now鈥�, says commerce and science student Kevin, and that includes seeking advice when you鈥檙e out of your depth. Take advantage of the experienced staff members on campus, the聽Counselling and Psychological Services, online resources about聽campus life, and more experienced students who can聽mentor you. Remember, nobody knows you need a hand unless you ask.
