To be completely honest, I didn’t think it would be as hard as it was. I knew it was going to be an adventure but not as crazy and unpredictable as it turned out.

I left my amazing life in Delhi to pursue my dream to study masters abroad. By the time I was applying for a master’s degree in Hong Kong and Australia, the want to finally get the higher studies box ticked off was too much to handle – even for me. My boss, my manager, my close family members were all questioning it. But in my mind, it had turned into something that just had to be done. I had loved working as a communications manager and I was now ready to, in fear of sounding cliché, expand my knowledge.

Some of the regular readers know I almost quit college after my first semester. It definitely wasn’t easy, and so, to help future students out – I thought a list of tips would be helpful for future students at the University of Melbourne.

If you are someone looking to join the University of Melbourne, here are my top 15 tips:

1. I first came to Melbourne in the middle of its winter. Early August. Melbs is a very wet city. For a Delhi chick, what’s worse is that its windy. If you’re planning to travel here that’s three things to add to your list:

☑ Good boots

☑ Thick jacket(s)

☑ An umbrella

2. Don’t sign anything you don’t understand. This includes house leases. I actually got myself in a scam and lost $2000 in the process. Double check the letting agency/landlords. Speaking of scams, there are a lot of them going on, especially to extort money from international students. Keep an eye out of these. 

3. Don’t wear your heart on your sleeve. You’re here to learn. To grow. Be open to new experiences and friends. Some will last a whole lifetime and some just for a semester. It’s a new country and it takes a bit getting used to everything from their sense of humor to accents. Always wear a smile.

4. Always look your best. In fact, I came across a quote on my Instagram feed that fits here ‘Dress like you want to be addressed’. Be Insta-ready.

5. If you’re having a hard time finding work, don’t be disheartened. Keep applying to as many internships, uni clubs as much as possible – provided you’re passionate about them. Be involved.

6. Always be ready to help others. Always always always trust your intuition.

7. ‎Some of the first things you do is get a tax file number (TFN), a national ID like Keypass ID, and a local bank account. A TFN will come in handy when you start working. The Keypass ID will replace the use of your passport so that you don’t have to carry it around anymore.

8. I found some amazing tips mentioned here to help you survive the first year at UniMelb. I even borrowed some of the ones that were really handy for me – personally: Don’t forget to carry your Myki card when travelling on public transportation to avoid a heavy fine.

9. When you’re using the uni WiFi – did you know that there is a 1 GB download limit per week, per student? How awesome is that.

10. Check out previous year exam papers for most subjects here. Thank me later.

11. Make sure you plan out your timetable before the semester starts. Evaluate which days work for you – if you want your classes spread out throughout the week or concentrated in a couple of days (like me).

12. Now that you’re here don’t run away from the art of referencing. Confirm with the lecturers how they want the assignments done, from the format to the referencing and everything else in between.

13. It’s also a good idea to follow student clubs and societies on Facebook to keep up with what’s going on at uni.

14. Get a loyalty card to places that you go to often. For instance, the coffee place in The Spot building. This will pay off in the long run.

15. If you want to study late at uni, check out the extended hours at the libraries.

I hope these points help you guys. In case you want to know more about my story, here’s a link to it. In you’re looking for information on scholarships and employment opportunities in Melbourne, check out this link.

Keen to share your journey to UniMelb with the world? Share your story @humansofunimelb.

Two years. Four semesters. It’s been an incredible adventure. #unilifeofficiallyover pic.twitter.com/Svh0EYTteX

— Prachi Tyagi (@prachipreaches) June 13, 2018