5 things I wish I knew before starting uni

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Starting uni can feel like stepping into another world – new people, new routines, new acronyms you pretend to understand.  

But don’t worry, everything is going to be okay. You’ll be stepping into a community of fellow students all taking that step together into the unknown.  

And to ease those first week nerves, we’ve pulled together five things to keep in mind from uni students who have been in your shoes. 

Students at Reading Room Cafe Footscray Park campus

1. Where you start isn’t where you have to end up 

It’s easy to feel like you’re locking yourself into something big. You might be asking yourself, “should I really be studying law? Am I going to be a lawyer forever?”  

Those feelings of doubt are normal. Remember that you don't have to have your entire life plan figured out at 18. Or 28. Or 40. If you start your course and start feeling like it’s just not for you, you have options.  

Lots of students change courses, majors or even unis – and that’s totally normal. Pathways and credit transfers at VU make it easy to pivot if you find something that fits you better.  

You might start with a TAFE qualification, jump into a bachelor's degree later, or switch study areas altogether once you discover what really lights you up. 

And the journey doesn’t stop at graduation. Many students build on their degree with a second major, a postgraduate course or a short professional certificate once they’ve found their groove. 

Lifelong learning is the norm these days. So feel free to think of your path less like a straight line and more like a choose-your-own-adventure with lots of different branches.  

Daniel Hall, Victoria University Polytechnic student
Student story – Daniel Hall
Daniel left school in Year 12 and worked in retail before enrolling at VU in a Diploma of Beauty Therapy and a Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation. He eventually found his calling in biomedical science. “Without VU’s flexible entry options, I’d still be stuck in a job I didn’t love,” he says. Now studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Daniel’s on track for a career in medical research.
Daniel's story

2. There’s more than one way to do uni

You might imagine life as a uni student super stressed, juggling five different deadlines drinking 10 coffees a day, getting talked at for hours in a lecture theatre before sitting in front of a computer for many more hours. But it doesn’t have to be this way. And these days – at VU at least – it isn’t.

The VU Block Model means studying one subject at a time in smaller classes. This means deeper learning, more focus, less stress, better results and feeling like you can keep up. You can balance study with work, socialising and other things in life without getting overwhelmed.  

Smaller classes also give you a chance to get to know your educators and classmates instead of getting lost in a lecture theatre. Practical, hands-on learning in spaces that replicate the workplace ensures your learning experience reflects real life.

The result? You graduate feeling confident and ready to take the next big step in your journey. 

Nunu Sarum.
Student story – Nunu Sarum
When Nunu started her Bachelor of Engineering, she worried about juggling work, tutoring and study. “But studying one subject at a time meant I could actually focus and keep up,” she says. The smaller classes and practical learning helped her stay motivated. Now she's thriving in her honours degree and as the first recipient of the VU/City West Water Women in STEM Scholarship.
Nunu's story

3. You don’t have to have it all figured out

Uni isn’t just about locking in a career – it’s part of that journey discovering who you are and what you care about. 

Take the opportunity to join a club, volunteer, try an industry project or work placement. You just might discover an unexpected passion through certain subjects, activities or internships you do along the way. 

And here’s a reality check: half the jobs of the future don’t even exist yet. So if your five-year plan changes every year or semester, that’s not failure – it’s adaptability. 

Embrace the freedom to explore, experiment and evolve as the world (and your goals) do. 

Student story – Eliza Kandell
Sometimes the best plan is no plan. Eliza started a Bachelor of Youth Work while at VU, unsure where she was ultimately going. Two months into an internship as part of her course, she was offered a full-time role as a Youth Access and Justice Case Manager. “I never planned this path,” she admits, “but through VU I found something I’m genuinely passionate about.”
Eliza's story

4. You’re not in it alone (breaking the ice)

Everyone feels awkward on day one. Promise. 

The trick is to make one small move: Say hi to someone in your class, join a student group, sign up for a social event, or find a study buddy. Group projects might sound stressful, but they often turn classmates into actual mates. 

Once you start connecting, uni feels a lot more fun. 

Evi Sinaga
Student story – Evi Sinaga
Evi moved from Indonesia to study a Master of Public Health at VU. “At first, I was shy and homesick,” she says. “Then I joined a student club and met people from all over the world.” With support from staff and peers, Evi not only adjusted but thrived, completing research aimed at improving health outcomes in her home region. “Once you start saying yes to new experiences, uni becomes home.”
Evi's story

5. Support options you may not know about (but should use)

No one smashes out uni completely solo – and you don’t have to try. 

Make the most of support options at VU like workshops, one-on-one tutoring and writing help for when your essay brain short-circuits. The Career Hub can also check your résumé, run mock interviews and connect you with job boards or internships. 

And if life gets heavy, wellbeing services are there for mental health counselling, financial advice and peer mentoring. 

Remember you don't have to wait until you’re struggling to take advantage of the support systems on offer. 

Student story – Olena Nguyen
As an international student from Vietnam, Olena was nervous about fitting in. The small classes and mentoring at VU quickly changed that. “My lecturers knew me by name, and the learning advisers helped me with every essay,” she says. The combination of academic support and community made her transition smooth. “VU gives you everything you need to succeed – you just have to use it.”
Success in her first year

Uni that works for you

Uni isn’t just about earning a degree – it’s about everything that happens around it: the people you meet, the confidence you build and the unexpected turns that end up defining you. 

So say yes to opportunities, ask for help when you need it and don’t panic if your plan changes. It’s all part of your unique journey. 

Ready to start your own VU story?  

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