5 things I wish all university students knew

So a new semester just started. A new intake just arrived and all the fresh faces are running around trying to find their way around campus. There’s a lot of confusion and misinformation. We’ll be creating a list to give you advise so you know what you can look out for. For starters, here are 5 things I want the university student to know.

1. If you are planning to be ‘sick’ in order to skip classes (you know what I mean), you probably shouldn’t write a Facebook/Twitter update talking about how you overslept because you were partying late, or post a photo showing how much fun you are currently having when you should be in class. It might shock you to learn that some of your lecturers (if not most of them) also have social media accounts. I don’t think I need to tell you what’s likely to happen when you’ve befriended your professor on social media and they see your posts…

2. Speaking about classes, here’s the thing: If you want to skip them, nobody is going to get in your way. Most of you are adults, with all the implications that brings. Most of you have already paid for the semester so if you’re not going to class, you’re basically just throwing away that money. You also have to remember that you need to fulfill the requirement of at least 80% attendance in your classes if you want to renew your student pass. Immigration may reject your application if you are skipping classes.

3. If you are having a problem with a class, go talk to your lecturer. If they haven’t already offered to already, just remember that they don’t mind if you do go speak to them. In fact, most university lecturers are expected to have a minimum amount of time each week when they are available to speak to students in their offices. It’s literally part of their job.

4. Listen to advice from people who know what they are talking about. If you have a 2.0 GPA and in a foundation program for a professional degree e.g. Law or Medicine, your advisor may tell you to have a solid plan B. Have one. They are telling you that because they know you stand a smaller chance of getting into that program.

5. Use the college facilities. Your tuition pays for items such as classes, health centers, fitness centers, concerts/workshops and libraries. Make use of them, you’ve already paid for it.

That’s it for now. Do you have any tips you can share with us or other students? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll add it to a future article.