A talented group of La Trobe students have shown what human-centred Artificial Intelligence looks like in practice, by developing a proof-of-concept, AI-powered tool designed to help streamline the way public transport infrastructure is checked for accessibility.

The students teamed up with La Trobe’s Centre for Technology Infusion as part of their final-year capstone project. The aim of the project was to explore how AI and computer vision could make accessibility auditing for public transport infrastructure more efficient, consistent and scalable.

The student project team included Akshad Shelar, Nadil Silva, Pragna Guruprasad, Pasan Jayarathna and Rui Hong Gan and they were supported by their capstone lecturer Dr Scott Mann.

The team was presented with several project options, but the AI public transport accessibility project held the most appeal because of its potential to make a real difference to the everyday lives of people with disability.

“We weren’t just interested in building an AI tool. We wanted to work on something that could make a genuine difference. The opportunity to improve accessibility and inclusion was what drew us to the project,” said Akshad.

It’s a sentiment echoed by Akshad’s team members.   

“One of the challenges was working out what ‘accessible’ means when a real person is going to depend on your answer,’’ said Pragna.

“Most of this auditing still gets done by hand, one station at a time and that reframed the whole project for me. It was never about building something clever, it was about building something for the people who actually have to use it.’’

It really opened my eyes to what it takes to make public transport usable in practice, not just compliant on paper. – Pasan Jayarathna

How the tool works  

The tool works by using computer vision and AI to analyse photos of infrastructure such as tram and bus stops, and platforms.
It examines images, identifies selected accessibility features and barriers  and then generates a  report highlighting potential compliance issues or areas that may need manual review by an auditor or a stakeholder.

Akshad noted that the tool is not meant to replace human auditors, instead it demonstrates how AI could help reduce the time, cost and inconsistency involved in manual accessibility audits while still supporting human decision-making.
“Good AI implementation is not about replacing people completely. It is about giving people better tools, better evidence and better information to make decisions,’’ he said.

 Beyond the technical challenge, the project gave the team valuable experience working with stakeholders, presenting ideas and responding to real-world requirements. Regular reviews and feedback sessions with CTI helped them think beyond the software itself and focus on the needs of the people who may eventually use the technology.  

“Working with CTI pushed us to think beyond whether the technology worked technically. We had to consider how someone might actually use the system, what information they would need from it, where its limitations were, and how we could translate feedback into the next iteration,’’ said Akshad.

Looking beyond technology

The experience has left a lasting impression on the student team, by encouraging them to think about the experiences of people using public transport and how technology could be used to support more inclusive outcomes.

For Pasan the project represented a shift in focus – away from technology and onto the people who would ultimately benefit from it.

“It really opened my eyes to what it takes to make public transport usable in practice, not just compliant on paper. Working alongside my team and speaking with public transport staff showed me that writing the code is only half the battle, the real challenge is designing for how people actually navigate space every day.’’

For Nadil, Working with La Trobe’s Centre for Technology Infusion highlighted how technical skills developed at university can be applied to real life challenges.

“My biggest takeaway was learning how to bridge the gap between the technical skills we developed at university and their application to real-world problems, while also building my confidence and deepening my understanding of how technology can contribute to meaningful outcomes in the community.’’

Rui Hong Gan added that working on a project with genuine community impact reinforced the importance of communication, teamwork and using technology to solve meaningful problems.

Working as part of such a large project taught me the importance of clear communication and maintaining good internal handovers between team members. Meeting and working closely with the team throughout the project also made my university experience much more meaningful. – Rui Hong Gan

The team also acknowledged the support of their Capstone lecturer, Dr Scott Mann, whose guidance helped them navigate the technical complexity of the project and develop the prototype through each stage of the semester.

The project is currently at proof-of-concept stage, with future work focused on more testing, improving accuracy and refining the system with the help of accessibility experts and transport stakeholders.

 “We have built a working prototype that demonstrates how computer vision and AI can be used to support accessibility auditing of public transport infrastructure. The system can analyse images, detect selected accessibility-related features and generate a structured report that highlights potential compliance issues or areas requiring further manual review.

“It’s not a replacement for formal auditing yet, but it shows the technical feasibility of using AI in a way that could help reduce the cost, time and inconsistency involved in current manual auditing processes,” said Akshad.

Find out more about La Trobe’s Centre for Technology Infusion.

Feature image: Pragna Guruprasad – Bachelor of Information Technology (Software Engineering), Akshad Shelar – Bachelor of Information Technology (Data Science), Pasan Jayarathna – Bachelor of Information Technology (Cloud Computing), Nadil Silva – Bachelor of Information Technology (Artificial Intelligence), Rui Hong Gan – Bachelor of Information Technology (Cyber Security), Dr Scott Mann and Erik Van Vulpen – Deputy Director, Centre for Technology Infusion.

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Sometimes, finding your way starts with simply asking… 

There’s a funny thing about university: everyone tells you that you’re becoming more independent, but nobody really tells you how many things you’re suddenly expected to figure out. 

New subjects. New assignments. New people. Future plans. Somehow knowing where everything is on campus. 

And for a while, my instinct was always the same: 

I’ll figure it out. 

But over time at La Trobe, I’ve realised that university gets a lot easier when you stop treating that sentence as a rule. 

One of my first discoveries was Peer Learning Advisors, or PLAs. Early on, I was getting used to academic expectations and wanted to make sure I was approaching things like APA referencing properly. I eventually found out that La Trobe’s PLAs are there to help students build their academic skills and work through things like assessments. 

Even finding sources became easier once I got used to using the La Trobe Library website and its referencing resources. What initially felt like something I had to navigate completely on my own became something I could actually learn to do confidently. 

And that became a bit of a pattern. 

Whenever I wasn’t quite sure what direction to take, La Trobe’s Student Advisors were there to help me work through my options. They’ve been a huge help throughout my university journey, from figuring out which subjects suited me to thinking about what I want to do next. 

Sometimes, you don’t need someone to give you the answer. You just need someone to sit with the question for a moment and help you work out what makes sense for you. 

But support at La Trobe isn’t always someone sitting across a desk from you. 

Sometimes, it’s a group of people you weren’t even looking for. 

One afternoon, after class, I was walking past Simpson Lawn and noticed a group of students playing games. I had absolutely no idea what they were doing, but they looked like they were having a great time. 

So, I stopped and asked. 

They explained what was happening, showed me how the games worked and invited me to join in. I knew none of the rules, but that didn’t matter. They kept including me, laughing with me and making it very easy to feel like I belonged there. 

I had only stopped because I was curious. 

I ended up staying because I felt welcome. 

And I think that’s one of the best things about being a student at La Trobe. Community doesn’t always come from people you already know or people who have the same interests as you. Sometimes it’s a random conversation on campus, an event you happen to walk past or a group of people who make room for you without asking you to have everything in common. 

There are so many different communities around La Trobe that you can stumble across without even planning to. You might walk into an event because something caught your eye, join a club because a friend convinced you, or simply start talking to someone because they happen to be doing something interesting nearby. 

Of course, there are also days when the problem isn’t an assignment or choosing subjects. Sometimes you’re simply tired, overwhelmed or finding it difficult to keep up with everything happening outside your classes. 

Those are the moments when looking after yourself needs to be part of your university routine too. 

La Trobe’s health and wellbeing services are there for those moments- whether you need someone to talk to, want help managing what’s been going on, or simply feel like things have become a little heavier than usual. You don’t have to wait until you’re completely overwhelmed before deciding that you deserve some support. 

Because maybe that’s the bigger lesson I’ve learnt at La Trobe. 

Being independent doesn’t mean doing everything alone. 

It means knowing when to ask a question instead of spending hours stuck on it. It means talking through your options when you’re unsure about your next step. It means looking after yourself when things get overwhelming. And sometimes, it means being curious enough to stop and ask a bunch of strangers, “What are you guys doing?” 

The more I think about it, the more I realise that La Trobe has started feeling like a second home in small ways. 

You don’t have to arrive at La Trobe knowing exactly where you fit, what you’re doing or how to solve every problem. 

Sometimes, you just have to take the first step- and let La Trobe meet you halfway. 

The post The university problems you don’t need to solve alone  appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

A reflection on how moving away for university turned groceries, cooking, laundry and money into unexpected lessons in independence. 

I think my first real lesson in independence happened during a two-kilometre walk. 

My friend and I had just done our first grocery shop after moving to campus. Being completely new to shopping for ourselves, we apparently thought two people needed five full Coles bags. 

While walking back, we questioned our strength but thought we had no other option and barely knew our way around. 

About 500 metres into it, the realisation hit that we needed help. 

That was also the day we discovered UniSafe and its campus transport service. Getting picked up while standing there with five bags and very little hope felt like discovering a life hack I should have been told at Orientation. 

To this day, probably one of my favourite discoveries at university! 

Then came the next problem. 

What exactly was I supposed to do with all those groceries? 

My first meal here was instant noodles. 

A humble beginning. 

It wasn’t that I couldn’t cook. Back home, cooking was something I’d occasionally do when I wanted something different. Here, suddenly, it wasn’t a hobby. 

Apparently, I needed to feed myself every single day. 

So began my YouTube-chef era. 

I tried recipes, learned from friends, borrowed a few from home, started prepping curry bases and slowly figured out what I actually liked making. 

Food also became part of some of my earliest friendships. Getting invited to someone’s place for dinner suddenly felt like receiving a five-star invitation. I’d watch friends put together an entire meal and think, you MADE all of this? 

Living alone made me appreciate that effort differently. Cooking for someone takes time and planning, and there’s something really lovely about someone deciding you’re worth cooking an extra portion for. 

A few years later, I’ve somehow gone from instant noodles to being confident enough to cook for friends, host dinners and even pull off Christmas dinner. 

Character development, served with curry. 

And then there was laundry. 

At home, if I ignored the laundry long enough, somehow clean clothes eventually reappeared. A system I deeply respected. 

Living independently revealed the person behind that magic: definitely not me. 

Apparently, cleaning my room once a month wasn’t going to work either. You could clean everything one day and somehow need to do it again the next. Dishes needed washing. The bag on the table needed putting away. Laundry wasn’t finished when the machine beeped, it still needed drying, folding and putting into the cupboard. 

Even my water bottle needed filling by me. 

Turns out, younger siblings are an extremely underrated household service. 

I quickly learned that ignoring chores doesn’t make them disappear. It just lets them pile up until carrying the laundry to the laundry room becomes its own workout. 

Whites and colours needed separating. Detergent and fabric softener were different things. Some clothes needed handwashing. 

Turns out, independence involves a surprising amount of putting things back where they belong. 

But perhaps the biggest lesson came from money. 

At first, it was about stretching what I received from home across the month so Week Four me didn’t suffer because Week One me felt rich. 

Then came finding a job and earning my first few dollars, and money suddenly became hours. 

Spending $40 wasn’t just $40 anymore. It was: Wait… I worked two hours for this. 

That’s also why discovering student support such as the LTSU Foodbank felt genuinely useful. Sometimes getting help with basic groceries meant one less grocery run and a little more breathing room in the weekly budget. 

Somewhere between grocery bags, curry bases, laundry piles, dirty dishes and bank balances, I think I finally understood independence. 

I used to think it meant freedom when nobody is telling you when to eat, clean, save or look after yourself. 

Turns out, independence is realising nobody needs to. 

Because slowly, you learn to become that person for yourself. 

Although if someone wants to invite me over for dinner, I’m still absolutely saying yes because what could be better than someone offering you food made with love? 

And if you’re learning these things for the first time too, learn them properly. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, managing money and looking after your health aren’t optional “adulting” extras. They’re basic life skills we all need. 

You don’t need to know everything immediately. Ask someone. Watch the tutorial. Try the recipe. Burn it. Try again. 

Independence isn’t knowing everything. It’s learning how to take care of yourself. 

Because you can absolutely survive on toast for a few days. 

Just probably not for life. 

The post Turns out, I’m the adult now  appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

This blog was written by Semester 2 Storyteller, Shubi.

Everyone’s university week looks busy on paper – classes, deadlines, the usual chaos. But zoom in, and no two people are living the same week at all. Some weeks run on caffeine and back-to-back timetables. Others are held together by one small ritual nobody else even notices.

I decided to find out just how different. I reached out to three final-year students, from three different degrees and backgrounds, and asked them the same four questions about their week- no script, just their honest answers.

Turns out, “a normal week at university” depends entirely on who you ask.

Meet Georgia: Friends, food and a lot of laughs

Georgia is finishing her Bachelor of Podiatry, and her week runs on a simple, solid rhythm: drive to university, meet her friends, go to class, grab food, hang out, head home.

When I asked what she looks forward to most, she didn’t hesitate. My favourite part of her answer was how sure she was about it.

Her friends.

“We always have so much fun together and somehow manage to make even the longest university days enjoyable,” she told me.

Her five words for university: friends, food, jokes, laughs, walking. After years at La Trobe, Georgia’s found something worth holding onto – the people who make the ordinary days good ones.

Meet Jalaj: Classes, work, gym, friends, chaos

Jalaj, known to most as Jay, is finishing his Master of Financial Analysis, and his days are proof that a packed schedule doesn’t have to feel like a punishment. Mornings start with a dash to class, then it’s coursework, gym, work and – energy permitting – more time with friends.

His weekly reset is tennis: an hour where deadlines disappear and it’s just him, the court, and good company.

My favourite part of Jalaj’s week, though, has nothing to do with tennis or the gym. Jalaj arrived in Australia from India last March, unsure what to expect and quietly overwhelmed by how different everything felt. Now he lives on campus and helps organise cultural nights and social events for hundreds of residents – which means he’s no longer just living the res life experience – he’s actively shaping it for everyone around him. It’s a good example of how res life gives students the chance to step into leadership roles and genuinely support their peers, often before they’ve even realised that’s what they’re doing.

His five words: classes, work, gym, friends, chaos. Somewhere along the way, a new country slowly became home.

Meet Evelyn: Camera, coffee, deadlines, A’s and BIG

Evelyn, a final-year Business Analytics student, has a routine built around getting ahead of her own second-guessing. She’s a morning-class person on purpose – start early, “before my brain has time to change its mind.”

From there: her usual Agora latte, a full day in the library, and a bag packed for every possible scenario – laptop, notebooks, chargers, snacks, and a lunch she packs and, in her words, “enjoys.”

My favourite part of Evelyn’s week has nothing to do with coffee, though. Since high school, she’s kept a quiet habit of watching how the trees around campus change with the seasons. At La Trobe, that habit has become a weekly ritual – the same trees, watched every week, like a slow, peaceful show only she’s following.

“It feels like a very slow, very peaceful TV series,” she said.

And then, of course, there’s ice cream – the one thing on her list that asks for zero patience.

Her five words: camera, coffee, deadlines, A’s, big. A whole semester, somehow captured in five words and a lot of quiet routine.

Three weeks, one campus

What struck me most, comparing these answers side by side, is how differently a “normal week” can look depending on who’s living it.

For Georgia, it’s friends, food and lovely conversations that follow. For Jalaj, it’s a full schedule and a slowly-built sense of belonging in a new country. For Evelyn, it’s coffee, trees, deadlines, and the small rituals that make a big campus feel familiar.

Same university, same semester – three completely different weeks.

Maybe that’s the real takeaway. We arrive expecting to remember the big things: first class, first assignment, final exam. But it’s often the small things that stay with us – the friend you always grab food with, the coffee order you don’t think twice about, the weekly tennis match, or the tree you’ve quietly watched change since March.

Three students, three routines, and three different ways of making La Trobe feel like their own.

So, what are your five words to describe La Trobe? Maybe it’s time to find out.

The post One university, three very different weeks appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

A recent life-changing experience (in more ways than one) demonstrated the real-world skills he’s developing through nursing and volunteering. 

At last year’s Melbourne Marathon, Drew found himself responding to not one but two cardiac arrests within the space of just 10 minutes.  

“You don’t really think about anything else in that moment except getting that person back,” Drew said. 

Remarkably, both patients survived. 

Drew says volunteering has significantly increased his confidence and capabilities as a nursing student, particularly when responding to emergencies. 

At the same time, studying nursing has given Drew a deeper understanding of the different patients and conditions he may encounter while volunteering. 

One of the highlights of Drew’s time at La Trobe so far has been putting his experience into practice during a recent rural placement at Warrnambool Hospital. 

“I think working ED at Warrnambool Hospital while on rural placement recently [has been a highlight], as I felt like I was able to help and make a difference with my experience,” he said. 

He also credits the people around him with making his university experience a positive one. 

For other La Trobe students considering volunteering with St John, Drew says it can be a big commitment but there’s also plenty to gain from the experience. St John volunteers must undertake relevant training before taking on clinical volunteering roles and Drew says students should be prepared to commit time to both training and volunteering. 

“If you have the time and discipline to commit with them then definitely do it because there’s so much to learn!” 

Drew has always known he wants to become an emergency nurse, with the goal of eventually moving into flight nursing. Looking further ahead, he hopes his nursing career will eventually take him overseas. 

“My goal has always been to move back overseas as a nurse, back where I used to live in BC/Alberta and help change the world for the better there.” 

Read the full story of Drew’s experience at the Melbourne Marathon on the St John Ambulance Victoria website. 

The post Nursing student Drew puts his skills into action with St John appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

Let’s decode university life together… 

Starting university is a bit like joining a TV show halfway through. 

Everyone else seems to know what’s going on. They’re casually talking about rubrics, consultations, and the census date, while you’re still trying to work out whether you’re in the right building. 

The good news? You catch on quicker than you think. 

The official definitions are easy enough to find. This isn’t that. This is the version I wish another student had explained to me in my first week- the little translations that make university life feel a whole lot less confusing. 

“It’s on LMS.” 

Let’s be honest… if you don’t know what LMS is yet, you will very soon. 

It’ll become your most-visited website before you realise it, and before long you’ll probably catch yourself saying, “Have you checked LMS?” Too. 
 
Need a quick introduction? Our What is the Learning Management System (LMS)? video is a great place to start. 

Once the first assignment rolls around, you’ll start hearing a whole new set of phrases. They sound intimidating at first, but they’re actually there to help. 

“Check the rubric.” 

First-year brain: 
“I’ll read it after I’ve finished writing.” 

Second-year brain: 
“Wait… the rubric is basically telling me how to get good marks.” 

A rubric is a marking guide that shows what you’ll be assessed on and what different grade levels look like. Don’t leave the rubric until the end, spending five minutes reading it before you start can save you a lot of guesswork later. 

“Have you booked a consultation with the tutor?” 

What you think it means: 
“Am I in trouble?” 

What it actually means: 

Not at all. 

Consultations are simply a chance to chat with your lecturer or tutor before you submit your work. Whether you want to test an idea or ask a question, they’re there to help. Think of them as one of university’s most underrated resources. 

“Don’t forget the Census date.” 

Unlike some of the other phrases on this list, this one’s more of a friendly reminder. 

You’ll hear people mention the Census date a lot because it’s important. You need to have your enrolment finalised by Census date, so it’s one of those dates worth adding to your calendar early. Future you will definitely appreciate it. 

But let’s be honest, staying organised all semester is a little harder than it sounds… 

Student thoughts 

Week 1: 
“I’ve colour-coded my calendar. I’ve got this.”  

Week 4: 
“Why do I suddenly have three assignments due… and how is it only Wednesday?” 

If that sounds familiar, welcome to university. 

Not everything about university revolves around assignments. Some of the phrases you’ll hear aren’t really “university lingo” at all- they’re just little moments that become part of campus life. 

“I’m just grabbing a coffee.” 

Translation: 

That’s usually the plan. 

What actually happens is you bump into someone from your tutorial, chat with a friend you haven’t seen since Orientation, wave at your tutor walking past, and suddenly your “quick coffee” has turned into a 20-minute catch-up. 

At some point, you’ll realise coffee runs at university are rarely just about coffee. 

“I’m going to the library.” 

Translation: 

Sometimes it means studying. 

Sometimes it means finally finding a quiet corner to finish the assignment you’ve been avoiding. 

Sometimes it means borrowing a charger because, somehow, yours is always sitting at home. 

And sometimes it means opening your laptop, chatting with your friends for half an hour and convincing yourselves that simply being in the library counts as being productive. 

Honestly… all of the above still count. 

“Let’s meet at Agora.” 

What you think it means: 
A quick catch-up before class. 

What it actually means: 
You’ll hear this phrase a lot, and before long, you’ll probably be saying it too. 

Need a coffee? Agora. 

Grabbing lunch? Agora. 

Meeting your group? Agora. 

Somewhere between your first week and your first assignment, it quietly becomes the unofficial meeting spot on campus. Before long, “Where should we meet?” turns into “See you at Agora.” 

The funny thing about university is that nobody teaches you this language, you simply pick it up along the way. 

One lecture becomes ten. One assignment becomes another. One coffee run turns into recognising familiar faces around campus. Before you know it, the words that once sounded completely foreign become part of your everyday conversations. 

So, if you’re still quietly Googling the occasional university term, don’t stress- we’ve all been there. And one day, without even noticing, you’ll catch yourself saying, “Just check the rubric,” like you’ve known what it meant all along. 

The post Lost in translation? A student’s guide to La Trobe lingo  appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

When Emily McDonnell graduated from the Bachelor of Social Work in Bendigo in 2019, she couldn’t have known just how far her career would take her.

Since graduating, Emily has moved to the Northern Territory, where she has had the opportunity to learn, share, grow and work across nine First Nations Communities spanning more than 162,000 square kilometres. She has also worked in the international humanitarian space in the Pacific and, later this year, will support the next generation of social workers as a supervisor and field educator for students undertaking their social work placement in Nepal.

Along the way, Emily has also co-authored a journal article and a book chapter over the past two years, describing both as “another wonderful learning opportunity!”

Looking back on her time at La Trobe, Emily says the Bendigo campus opened doors she never expected.

“La Trobe presented so many beautiful opportunities for me, including a semester abroad in Sweden (in the winter!), my first placement in Broken Hill and my final placement in Nepal.”

Among those experiences, one stands out most.

“A highlight was being a part of the Bendigo Association of Social work Students (BASS) and creating opportunities to connect with others from all different years!”

For anyone considering a career in social work, Emily hopes they recognise the privilege that comes with the profession.

“I think it is a real privilege to call myself a social worker and remind myself constantly of this. It is a privilege to hold hope, for when others may not be able to at the time. A privilege to give but actually receive more, learn more and share more. Social work presents so many career opportunities, and opportunities that can take you to all different spaces and places.”

The post Where social work can take you appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

This blog was written by Semester 2 Storyteller, Niharika.

Before starting university, most of us build a very detailed picture of life here without ever actually experiencing it. Some of it comes from siblings, some from friends, a concerning amount from TikTok – plus the classic warning, “university is completely different from school,” offered with zero further explanation. 

Naturally, you arrive with assumptions. That support is only for emergencies. That career planning is a problem for future you. That once you’re enrolled, the hard part is over. My fellow students and I were no exception.

So, I asked around about what people believed before starting at La Trobe, what they actually discovered and what they wish someone had told them sooner. Here’s what we found…

Myth 1: Career planning is a final-year problem 

Vicky thought career events and workshops were basically reserved for second or third years – the “mature” students who’d already sorted out what they were doing and just needed to network their way into a job. 

Turns out that’s not how it works. Career Ready sessions, employer events and mentoring are open from semester one, and networking from the very start plays a bigger role than most first years realise. Vicky just assumed he wasn’t senior enough to show up yet. 

Myth 2: Support is only for when things go really wrong 

Tiffany assumed support services were something you turned to only once things had properly gone wrong – failing a subject, a full-blown problem. Nothing in her life felt “serious enough” to justify going. 

Turns out that’s not how it works. Study support isn’t a last resort – you can book in to plan out your semester in advance, sort your study approach before classes even start, and adjust as you go, rather than waiting until you’re behind to ask for help. And it’s not just study skills either – the same goes for wellbeing, careers, accessibility and financial assistance. 

Myth 3: You have to physically drag yourself to campus for everything 

Palak was convinced that if she wasn’t on campus, she basically didn’t exist to the university. Timetable clash – go in. Fee question – go in. Career appointment – obviously go in. She was having a full crisis about logistics for absolutely no reason. 

Turns out most of it doesn’t need a trip anywhere. Counselling, academic support, career appointments and general queries can be sorted through ASK La Trobe over email or phone, and subject coordinators are just an email away for anything specific to your unit. 

Myth 4: Enrolling is the finish line 

This one’s mine. I genuinely thought once I’d picked my subjects and enrolled, that was it – the hard part was done, and everything else was just showing up and hoping I’d picked right. 

Turns out I didn’t even know the basics. I had no idea you could still change your enrolment until the second week of classes or withdraw from a subject that wasn’t working out, let alone where to actually do it. Figuring out my study plan, when subjects were offered, what order things needed to go in – completely lost. ASK La Trobe sorted the first layer of confusion, and student advisors are there for the more in-depth stuff. 

Final findings 

This unofficial study of my friend group produced one clear result: almost everyone starts university carrying at least one myth. Maybe you think everyone else already has friends. Maybe you think support is only for emergencies. Maybe career planning belongs to some distant, more organised version of yourself who has their life together – spoiler, she doesn’t exist yet either. 

In reality, no one expects you to have it figured out immediately. You learn it by asking questions, checking the pages you’ve been ignoring, and realising many people around you are just as lost as you are. 

If there’s one thing we all wish we knew sooner, it’s this: you don’t have to wait until you feel completely lost before looking for support, connection, or opportunities. 

University might not turn out exactly the way you imagined – and honestly, that might be the best part. 

Tips for new students

There’s a lot to learn when you start uni. Here are more tips from students who’ve already been through it and want to share the things they wish they’d known, so you can start strong at La Trobe.

Read more

The post What students wish they knew before starting  appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

You Said, We Did is how we show you that we’re listening and taking real action based on what you’ve told us.

Ready to see your feedback in action? Here are four changes we’ve made recently. You can also head to the You Said, We Did page to see more ways your voice has shaped the La Trobe experience. 

You said: You want better placement support and more ways to build practical experience for your future career.

We did: We increased placement and industry project opportunities embedded in courses and strengthened pre-placement support, so you can access help in the way that works best for you.

This includes the PlaceReady LMS Hub, Welcome Zones and expanded in-person support, as well as the new Start Smart bundle to help international health students prepare before arriving in Australia.

You said: Cost-of-living pressures are impacting your studies and making it harder to manage the costs of food, placement and other study-related costs.

We did: We introduced new financial support, like the Distance Support Bursary that helps with the costs of travelling to placements.

We also made it easier to find and access financial support to help with cost-of-living pressures, including bursaries, financial counselling and food aid through the LTSU Food Bank at Bundoora and the LTSA Student Pantry at the Melbourne (City) and regional campuses.

You said: You want easier access to learning resources, study spaces and support, wherever you’re studying.

We improved access to learning wherever you’re studying through the Northern Study Hub in Broadmeadows and Epping, Country Universities Centres and other study hubs across the country.

We also improved the accessibility of resources in the LMS, making it easier to access alt text and video transcripts

You said: You want wellbeing spaces to feel calmer, more welcoming and easier to access.

We did: Supported by SSAF funds, we updated the sensory and physical environment of the Health and Wellbeing Centre to improve its comfort and accessibility, including adjusted lighting, sensory and calming resources, more accessible layouts and accessibility signage.

You said: You weren’t always sure what support is available to help you feel safe at uni, including where to go if you need help.

We launched the UniSafe app at our Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus, making it easier to get Security support when travelling around campus after dark.

We also launched our plan of how we will respond to the National Code for Gender Based Violence through Respect at La Trobe, including new programs and workshops.

You said: You want Orientation to be easier to access and fit around your schedule.

We did: We made Orientation easier to access in ways that suit you by launching on-demand sessions available online all year, welcoming online students to on-campus activities and combining key events into fewer days to better fit your schedule.

The post You Said, We Did – how your voice makes a difference appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

University has taught me a lot  but some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned happened outside the classroom.

Here are a few things I wish someone had known to tell me when I first started at La Trobe:

Whenever someone asks for university advice, the answers are usually pretty similar: stay on top of your assignments, don’t leave everything until the last minute, go to your lectures. 

But after spending the last few years at La Trobe, I’ve realised some of my most memorable moments have come from experiences beyond my assessments. When I look back, I don’t think about deadlines or exams first. I think about the people I’ve met, the events I almost didn’t go to, and the opportunities that completely changed my university experience. 

So instead of sharing another list of study tips, I thought I’d share a few things that made my time at university more meaningful. 

1. Don’t rush home after your last class

I know it’s tempting. Sometimes all you want to do is head home, put on comfy clothes and forget about university until tomorrow. 

But if you can, stay back every now and then. 

Go to a club event. Stop by the Agora if something’s happening. Check out a workshop hosted by one of the university teams. Grab the free barbecue (or gelato if you’re lucky). Even if you only stay for half an hour, you’ve stepped outside your normal routine. 

Some of my favourite memories happened because I stayed on campus a little longer than I planned. 

2. Get involved in something outside your course

For me, it started with volunteering with the La Trobe Leaders Program during Orientation. 

I signed up thinking it would just be a fun way to get involved but it ended up showing me a completely different side of university. I met students from all kinds of backgrounds, worked alongside staff, and got to see how much happens behind the scenes to create the community we experience every day. 

That one opportunity eventually led me to becoming a Senior Leader and now a Student MyLaTrobe Storyteller. None of those roles were part of some master plan – they simply came from getting involved and staying curious. 

3. Make time to learn things your degree won’t teach you

University isn’t only about what’s written in your course guide. 

Some of the sessions I’ve enjoyed most have been personality development workshops through Campus Consultancy run by Josh Farr in collaboration with La Trobe Leaders Program.

They’ve made me think differently about confidence, communication and believing in myself. Those aren’t things you’ll find in every textbook, but they’ve been just as valuable throughout my time at uni. 

4. Give campus time to feel familiar

I remember arriving at La Trobe and thinking the campus felt huge. 

Now I’ll be walking to class and bump into someone I volunteered with, wave to friends across the Agora, or have someone smile and say, “Hey, I’ve seen you in one of the La Trobe reels!” 

It still surprises me every time. 

Those little interactions slowly made campus feel less like somewhere I studied and more like somewhere I belonged. 

5. Remember that your university experience doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s

It’s easy to compare yourself with other people. Someone’s landed an internship. Someone else has joined three clubs. Another person already knows exactly what career they want. 

I definitely didn’t have everything figured out – and honestly, I still don’t. 

I’ve learned to follow what genuinely interests me, and somehow that’s led me to opportunities I never expected, from volunteering and leadership roles to sharing stories as a Student Storyteller. 

Looking back, the best parts of my time at La Trobe weren’t the things I had to do – they were the things I chose to do. 

So, if I could leave you with one piece of advice, it’d simply be this: make room for life outside your timetable. 

Stay back for the event. 

Talk to someone new. 

Join the club. 

Say hello to the person sitting next to you. 

You never know which ordinary day might become one of your favourite university memories. 

And if you happen to see me around campus – probably with an iced coffee in one hand and on my way to wherever I need to be next, come and say hi. I’d love to hear what your favourite part of La Trobe has been so far. 

The post Five pieces of university advice beyond the classroom  appeared first on MyLaTrobe.