Unwritten Rules of Uni Life

Lunch this afternoon, was spent discussing what should be my next topic to post about... obviously i couldnt continue complaining about uni. During our laughter filled discussion, we tossed up quite a few issues including squashy and hot train rides home, dangerous hazards on campus (basically- don't (almost) walk into a moving forklift like my friend and I) and why Coke drunk from glass bottles still cant outdo Pepsi! However the prize of todays topic goes to an article i just read about students entering uni and the unwritten rules of uni life.

The article titled 'University poses many challenges for newcomers - but it also provides plenty of rewards.' [By: Marcia Devlin back in 2003] was found on the internet a while ago (What I was doing looking at old articles from the Age?... i dont know!).

I agree that the tranisition into uni has been an experience i cannot forget. I do remember during the holidays before uni started i decided that uni was the place to have fun since there were no rules as such... however after reading this article i am amazed and honestly curious about these unwritten rules. Is it really true that i may become emotionally distressed if i have not understood"the unfamiliar and unwritten rules of university study"?

The first example given is how us students are scared to raise questions in classes of 300 to 500 and prefer to email our queries to the lecturer. The unwritten rule here is that lecturers dont appreciate getting the same questions a dozen times, instead us students "are adults voluntarily undertaking education" and we are not expected to have every question of ours answered by the lecturer.... reading this just brings up the fact im not 18 and as a result cannot be employed in big marketing/customer service oriented firms since im not an adult. So i can see i am emotionally distressed, not by the experiences of uni, but by life being unfair! Who knows, this could be more applicable to the millions of people starting uni this year... (i am NOT mentioning anyone specific here okay? and no i dont have a goofy smile on Pretty!).

The other unwritten rule of course is "keeping up to date with reading and preparation". Sorry i thought that was logic... but for those who like to differ, you dont have to go home and read up on the days and weeks lecture... thast what cramming and a pass is for!

However there is one sentence i must give respect to - "Notably, these rules all centre on students taking responsibility for their learning."... responsibility! How many times have i heard this already? Of course, we did come to uni to learn and no one forced us (remember the HSC... no pressure at all!). So students: assignments, assessments, lab reports, punctuality, review and revision is ALL YOUR RESPONSIBILITY! So if you fail, its your fault... dont say your lecturer had a weird accent.

So moving on to the second half of the article. ISOLATION.... how many of you feel isolated? I was when i started... but considering there were many familliar faces around it wasnt that daunting!

One of the main things about uni is the people you meet with one day may not be around later on in the year... the idea is to be flexible! remember there are no cannibals in uni ( at least as far as i know...). However the article does claim "friendships forged at university are often those that last well beyond the end of a degree", which reminds me of the transition workshop i attended a while ago. During the workshop, the dean of science occupied the microphone and speculated that atleast someone would get married to someone who they met on that day! Remebering the guy i met... *cringe* (lolx... to the guy i met => im joking ok!).

However i must admit the workshop was a great help ( i have friends in my chemistry lecture!). Apart from that you could always sit next to someone and say 'hi do you know how to multiply matrices?' (quoted from my linear algebra lecturer... name: unknown). If mathematical introductions arent your style... you can always try getting a known friend to mock you! If that doesnt work... attempt to wear eye-catching shirts with slogans about peace, discrimination, politics or chocolate!... okay maybe not chocolate, but this will definitely help you make friends... It worked for Peter ( a friend) so it must work for you.... [please note i am not liable for any disputes formed by following the above advice]

So in anycase you have friends and will take responsibilty for your education... no worries!

By the way, if making friends and not having a social life is what you prefer... take my friends advice - Play WOW.