Top Tips for new students

Making the transition to uni can be a challenge, whether you’re coming straight from school, after a gap year or a break, from another country, or as a mature age student. Hear about some of the challenges that students faced and how they tackled them from the Transition Stories series. Also check out the Top Tips - very handy advice for starting out at uni. Remember, there is always assistance available, so make sure to check out what services are on offer to support you.

Transition Stories

Beth Myring's Transition Story

Beth's transition to university involved starting a new course as a mature age student. Watch this video to hear how Beth overcame some of the challenges associated with being a mature age student, and what helpful advice she has to offer.

Transition Stories: Beth Myring

Hear about Beth's transition to uni life

Bethany Gill's Transition Story

Bethany's transition to university was challenging because she had to relocate to Melbourne from the country. Watch this video to find out how Bethany dealt with the big move to Melbourne and how she settled into life as a uni student.

Transition Stories: Bethany Gill

Hear about Beth's transition to uni life

Michael Faulk's Transition Story

Michael's transition to university is quite typical in that he came straight from high school, however that's not to say it was a complete breeze! Watch this video to hear about some of the challenges Michael faced and what he learnt from his first year experience.

Transition Stories: Michael Faulks

Hear about Michael's transition to uni

Top tips for succeeding in first year

Everyone's transition to university is different and can be impacted by one or a number of factors, ranging from social, academic, administrative and personal issues. Check out the video below to hear some of the top tips our students have for succeeding in first year.

Top Tips for succeeding as a First Year

Top Tips for succeeding as a new student

More Top Tips

We asked some of our older students what their top tips were for new students, based on their experiences as a first year student.

Kirsty Duncan, Faculty of Business, Economics & Law (Bendigo campus)

  • Orientation is an amazing opportunity to establish friendships that could last a lifetime! Don't be afraid to approach other new students
  • Orientation is the foundation of your university experience and attendance is highly beneficial to you
  • If you feel like you're becoming overwhelmed in the first few weeks of university, don't be afraid to tell someone - Your friends are your support network and lecturers are there to assist you. Seek help early!
  • Remain optimistic and have a positive outlook on university!
  • Get involved in clubs and societies at university - Give something back!

Jessica Laing, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences (Albury-Wodonga campus)

  • Go to O-week and any social activities in the first few weeks. It’s so essential to meet people and make friends during O-week particularly on such a small campus where groups of friends are made early on. Having friends on campus in the first few weeks makes coming to uni even better and gives you people to study with.
  • Ask for help. There is no shame in asking anyone on campus, whether it be a passing student, a librarian or a lecturer, about anything you’re not sure about. There’s always someone who can help you find the answer and no question that is stupid. Chances are nobody else knows how to use the printing system either.
  • La Trobe has a number of on-campus clubs which are great to join to meet new people, make friends, participate on campus and some activities within clubs can even count as volunteer work on campus. It’s great to get a university degree but it’s even better to leave with that little something extra on your resume for the time you spent at uni.
  • If you have any financial difficulties there are heaps of scholarships and bursaries that are always available if you think you can’t afford university. You just need to research to find them and then apply. And there is always La Trobe staff available to help with applying.
  • Get an even balance in your life. Make sure you balance your life because your social life can quickly overpower your studying. You’re here to study; partying can always wait but an essay due tomorrow can't. It can be hard to fit classes, study, essential reading, essays, social life, exercising, proper eating, relationships and other things into a week, so a balance is vital.

Meagan Russell, Faculty of Business, Economics & Law (Bundoora Campus)

  • Attend class, it's the only surefire way to not get behind
  • If you can, be clever with your timetabling, schedule your classes in blocks so that you'll definitely come
  • Introduce yourself to those around you, it's likely you'll be seeing a lot more of them over the next few years

Bethany Gill, Faculty of Health Sciences (Bundoora Campus)

  • Attend everything you can in O-week! This is where you'll meet and make friends with people in your course at your faculty specific events. Come first week of lectures you'll have someone to sit with, which will make going to lectures just that little bit less daunting.
  • Become familiar with key places and tools such as your faculty office, the student centre, the library and online programs such as the LMS, OASIS and your Student Email account. This will make solving potential problems and your overall academic experience a lot easier.
  • Don't stress out if things don't pan out perfectly. The first few weeks can be rocky, but you have plenty of time to organise textbooks, course readers and assignment planning. There's always someone who can help to answer your questions.