Five Ways to Make the Most of Your Uni Experience

Live your best uni life this semester.

This post is presented in partnership with Optus. Get the latest iPad (7th Gen) from Optus to help you ace your studies.

Heading to uni for the first time this semester? You are probably feeling a bit overwhelmed. After all, it’s an entirely different environment than you’re used to, complete with lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes. On top of that, you’ll be interacting with a new group of people and deciding what you want to do with your life.

Yeah, it’s a lot.

But despite the changes, there are many exciting things about being a university student. You will have the freedom to choose subjects you love, enjoy the convenience of studying from home if you want, and you’ll be able to take advantage of your institution’s amenities.

Still, it’s only natural that you’d want your first semester to run as smoothly as possible, so here are five ways you can make the most of your uni experience.

1. Catch up on lectures online.

While we’d all love (or, at least, intend) to attend every lecture, that is simply not going to be a reality for every student. If you have a part-time job that overlaps with scheduled lecture times or you live far away from campus, you might be better off listening to your lectures online. Plus, you’ll be able to ensure you don’t miss any information because you can watch it over and over again.

All you have to do is get comfortable at home with your trusty tablet and you’re all set!

2. Invest in good quality tech.

If your tablet keeps crashing during class, that will totally diminish your overall uni experience. It’s important to make sure your device can load websites quickly and that it’s not too heavy to carry across campus (seriously, you’re gonna get your steps up as you trek from tute to tute).

Having good quality tech ensures you can take notes, download materials and work on your assignments. Of course, buying a new device can be challenging on a student budget. That’s why it’s a smart idea to check out whether you can pay for it in instalments over several months, rather than stressing about one massive upfront cost. (FYI: Optus lets you choose instalments over 12, 24 or 36 months for your tablet with a data plan, so keep that in mind when you set up your plan!)

3. Study in different places.

One of the best things about uni: there are countless places to study, from grassy areas to quiet nooks. Instead of sticking to a classroom or the library, you can venture out and study off campus as well. Whether it’s in a café nearby or a park across the road, you can change it up as much as you’d like.

In saying that, it’s essential you stay connected to the internet. There’s nothing worse than racing to upload your assignment on time only to see the free Wi-Fi has dropped out. Double check your device’s SIM allows you to connect to 4G, so you can avoid that nightmare scenario. Optus, for instance, has an expansive 4G network that should keep you covered while you are on the go. Additionally, see if you can share data between your phone and tablet instead of using a hotspot (like you can with an Optus SIM), so you make the most of your data while you’re studying.

4. Take advantage of uni services.

Obviously, obtaining your degree should be your focus, but there is way more to uni life than studying. This is your time to take advantage of the numerous food outlets, shops and facilities on campus.

If you’re interested in boosting your physical and mental wellbeing, check out your university’s gym. Most universities will offer affordable rates to students, with some even having group fitness timetables so you can work out with your pals. (We also won't judge if you decide to go it alone and bust out your tablet to stream The Office while you're on the treadmill.)

However, if working out is just not your thing, you can explore which clubs and student societies you’d like to join. Whether you’re into pop culture, politics or Harry Potter, joining a club is the perfect way to meet likeminded people.

5. Have a reusable coffee cup!

There’s no denying that a defining factor of student life is caffeine. If you know you are going to be grabbing multiple cups of coffee per day, you might want to get yourself a reusable coffee cup. Not only will you be able to enjoy the countless coffee options available on campus, but you’ll also be doing your part to help the environment.

Go forth and conquer your first semester!

Ace Uni this year with the latest iPad (7th Gen) from Optus.

Header Image: urbazon / E+ via Getty Images