From school to uni

Being a student at uni is very different to being a school student. Suddenly you get a taste of that independence you always wanted. With increased independence comes increased responsibility, so you'll find that more will be expected from you, both in terms of study and looking after yourself.

What will my course load be like?

Full-time study on campus involves a combination of classes, tutorials, practicums, forum participation and self-directed study that can total around 35 hours per week - equivalent to a full-time job. You may not have to attend classes every day, but should do some review, class preparation or assignment work most days to ensure you do well.

A single degree usually takes three to four years to complete, however double degrees allow you to accelerate your learning by completing two Bachelor degrees in minimal time - usually in four years.

Can someone help me with my assignments?

When you're at uni, you are responsible for ensuring you hand in your assignments on time. CSU offers great student support and assistance with library resources to help you complete assessments. You can always ask your lecturers, and you can set up a student group to discuss what you are learning.

More on study support

Managing study and work

Many students study and work part-time in their campus' regional city. If you choose to work and study, then recognise that life is about trade-offs and you probably won't have the time to do everything you want. Consider a time management plan that balances your study load, social life, and free-time. You should plan to:

• set priorities
• use a weekly diary to manage your schedule and overall commitments. Create a daily 'TO DO' list, note assignment due dates or tests. Keep a long-term list of things to do and note things as they come up, then set them aside and concentrate on the most immediate tasks.
• Be realistic and don't create unmanageable situations
• Be focussed and avoid distractions. Don't procrastinate or get distracted by television, telephones or friends. Find a quiet place to study (the library or a study centre). Focus on one task at a time, and complete it.
• Learn to say no to activities or commitments that are outside of your plan

STUDY LINK

STUDY LINK is an online program designed to prepare students for university study. If you haven't studied for a while or just want to brush up on your skills in a few areas, STUDY LINK subjects will help increase your skills, and help you develop a clear understanding of the expectations of studying at university.

More about STUDY LINK

How will I make friends at uni?

Many CSU students have relocated to study and are looking to make new friends. The extra-curricular activities offered by CSU, such as sporting competitions and student clubs, assist students to establish networks away from the classroom, helping you to form the friendships you'll cherish for life. Whether you live on or off campus, getting involved in uni life is the best way to make friends.

More about campus life

Living at CSU

It's a big step to move out of home. You may decide to share a house with friends or live on campus. CSU offers a range of affordable accommodation options on our regional campuses, with great student support services.

Living on or near campus makes perfect sense - it reduces travel time to lectures and allows easy access to sporting and entertainment venues on campus. You'll develop friendships with students from a variety of backgrounds enrolled in a diverse range of courses.

Assistance in finding accommodation can also be provided if you would prefer to live off campus in one of our campus cities.

More about accommodation options

Living away from home

With the independence of living away from home comes the responsibility of paying for your own living expenses, making home cooked meals, doing laundry, and getting yourself out of bed on time to make lectures.

Here are some things to think about when you're living away from home:

• Manage your costs: when living away from home, be aware of likely living expenses such as books, groceries, meals, transport and entertainment, and plan accordingly. Create a realistic budget and stick to it.
• Shopping: if you'll be cooking for yourself, then plan ahead. Plan meals for a week or so and buy the groceries you need so you won't be tempted to eat out. Also, if you have the same eating habits as your roommate, it's a good idea to share the grocery bills. Find a friend to buy standard things together like toilet paper, and washing powder that can be cheaper in bulk.
• Bargain shop: browse catalogues and plan ahead to save money. Make a rule to never buy anything that is not on sale.
• Pay bills on time: Late bills result in late fees, money you could have spent on something more useful, like food or clothing.
• Exercise and eat right: even if you're on a budget, it's important to look after your health. Convenience and junk food is not only unhealthy, it's expensive! Rice, or pasta, and vegetables with an interesting sauce is a healthy option that's not too costly.
• Keep healthy snacks on hand: having a supply of fresh or dried fruit, pretzels, microwaveable popcorn and other non-perishable healthy snacks on hand means you won't be tempted by vending machines or convenience stores
• Purchase a meal plan: if you are going to be on campus for the better part of the day, even if you don't live on campus, a meal plan can save you a lot of money as you aren't going to be tempted by the instant or more expensive pre-prepared foods
• Make friends the easy way: get yourself on a little schedule by going to the dining hall, common rooms, gym, or library at the same times and days. By consistently running into the same people at the same time and place, you're bound to eventually say hi and make a connection.

Library services

• access thousands of ebooks and ejournals, dictionaries and encyclopaedias, multimedia and course readings via eReserve
• access short videos, interactive tutorials, podcasts and FAQs on how to use the Library and find resources for your assignments
• 24-hour Learning Commons incorporate group and quiet study areas, sofas and informal meeting spaces, food and coffee, computing and multimedia facilities, and have laptops for loan.

More about Library services

What if I don't like the course I've chosen?

It's all about flexibility and support at CSU. A number of courses have similar subjects in their first year, so you may be able to apply to change to another course at the end of the year. There are cut-off dates for changes, so please ask early.