This blog was written by Semester 1 Storyteller, Niharika.
From painting sessions to discounted trips – how La Trobe turned small spending into big experiences.
When I first started university, I thought I’d be constantly budgeting.
To be fair, I still do – but these trips and activities are the few things I don’t think twice about, because I know they’d cost a lot more outside.
As an international student, especially, transport and travel felt like things I’d have to limit. Exploring new places sounded great, but also expensive.
What I didn’t expect was how quickly that idea would change.
Somewhere between a random painting session on campus and signing up for spontaneous trips, I realised something: money works a little differently at uni.
It started small – a painting session. No expectations, no pressure, just something to do on campus.
But it turned out to be one of those unexpectedly good evenings where time passes quickly, and you leave feeling like you did more than you planned.
A lot of the best things here start that way: low effort, low cost, but surprisingly memorable.
Lightscape was probably the moment it fully clicked.
Walking through glowing gardens, surrounded by lights and music, it felt like one of those experiences you assume would cost a lot.
It usually does.
Just not here – thanks to La Trobe Student Union (LTSU) membership perks.
At La Trobe, you’re not just cutting costs – you’re getting more out of them.
And then things just kept working out that way.
Trips through La Trobe Student Association (LTSA) had a way of turning simple plans into full experiences. A visit to Sovereign Hill ended up feeling like stepping into an 1800s town: trying old-style bowling, going underground into gold mines, and somehow getting my name engraved on a bookmark like I’d picked up a random side quest.
Living on res adds another layer to this.
There’s always something happening – discounted outings, free food, spontaneous events. It removes the effort of planning and replaces it with simply showing up.
You just notice something, show up, and suddenly your day turns into something more than you expected.
Trips to places like Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Zoo followed the same pattern.
A rhino running around like it had somewhere important to be. Birds performing like it’s their full-time job. A Tasmanian devil just doing its own thing.
It wasn’t just about seeing animals, it felt like a full day out, without the usual hesitation that comes with spending.
Even missing out works out sometimes.
The city tours are known to sell out quickly – I missed my first chance.
But later, through La Trobe Leaders, I ended up being part of it anyway – helping guide students around the city and finishing the day at the Skydeck, watching the sunset.
A $40 experience… for about $5, or sometimes even free.
Looking back, I think that’s what makes this my favourite uni perk.
It’s not just about discounts. It’s about access.
At La Trobe, a dollar doesn’t just get you something small, it gets you somewhere, gives you something to do, or turns into a moment you didn’t expect.
And once you start noticing it, you realise: there’s always something going on.