Getting ready for your first year of uni? Here’s some prep you can do to make the transition easier
Whether you’re super excited or a bit nervous about what you’re about to embark on, getting a head start on uni can help you feel prepared and confident for the journey ahead. The tips below are all about easing yourself into course content and the uni experience so it doesn’t feel so unfamiliar once you arrive on campus. They’ll also help remind you about your end game (a.k.a. your dream job!) and the very first steps you need to take to get there.
1. Start talking
Do you know anyone already doing your degree (or similar) or have any connections/family friends working in your future industry? Set aside some time to have a chat with them. Pick their brains on things like what electives or topics they enjoyed and found most useful at uni, what opportunities to look out for (work experience, internships, post-grad study etc), and what steps they took to land their job. Insights straight from the source are extremely valuable.
You can also check out our profiles hub where you can search careers by STEM (science, technology, engineering or maths), or by ‘X’ (another interest area – think creativity, animals, cyber security, environment, business, health and more).
2. Think about the skills you’ll need this year
Heading into a computer science degree? Teaching yourself to code before you get to uni will give you the ultimate head start. Studying cyber security? Search around to see if any hackathons are happening in the near future and sign yourself up. If your course has lots of maths, check the program structure (this is on your degree’s page on your uni’s website) to see what topics you’ll cover in first year. Start getting your head around these through online readings and YouTube tutorials.
RELATED: Teach yourself to code with our coding resources
3. Read and watch
Yep, your homework (sorry) these holidays is to soak up all you can about what you’re about to study. Here are six STEM movies to binge watch that are totally educational. Also hit up your streaming services and search for documentaries that relate to your degree or future gig, and subscribe to the Careers with STEM YouTube channel to find webinars including lots of clever people working in science, tech, engineering, maths and beyond. They have so much fantastic advice to give so don’t miss these!
As for reading, why not head to your local library and check out some books about your STEM + X? You could also deep dive into our archive of magazines to read the career stories and CVs of amazing STEM professionals, and get all the juicy job and salary deets. Below are our latest issues of Careers with STEM:
- Careers with STEM: Science
- Careers with STEM: Technology
- Careers with STEM: Engineering
- Careers with STEM: Maths & Data
You can also find our special editions here, covering topics like cyber security, environment, economics, and Defence.
4. Research societies at your uni
Getting a head start on building friendships and networks, or locking in events to attend, will make you feel a lot more confident on your first day of uni. Here’s a big list of STEM societies in Australian universities. Why not look into the ones you’d like to join, follow them on social media and reach out to key people ahead of time?
5. Take a breather
That period of time between school and uni is kind of magical – little to no responsibilities and lots of time to daydream and plan for the future. It’s also important to take care of yourself so you start this new journey refreshed, excited and eager to learn lots of cool new things. While it’s great to be prepared, it’s also good to carve out time to relax and take your mind off what lies ahead. Knowing how to recharge like this is also a handy skill to have up your sleeve for upcoming uni holidays and moments where things feel extra busy or overwhelming.
Good luck with your first year of uni. We’re cheering for you!
For more advice on going to uni and on STEM careers, sign up to the Careers with STEM e-newsletter
