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Friday 30 March 2012

Balance, what balance?




-By Jodi

Balance, what balance? I know that’s what it feels like sometimes when the carpets need vacuuming (I know I put the vacuum somewhere…), your boss asks you to do extra shifts, and due dates for the assignments are looming. In that case there is no time for balance - it’s do whatever works!

If you can backtrack a step and listen to your parents/teachers/concerned aunty and do some organising then chances are that this level of chaos won’t eventuate. Yes, it is possible to go out with friends and complete assignments. It is also possible to have some time lying on a sandy beach soaking up the last of the sun’s rays and to turn up to work. There can be a balance.


Admittedly I am about to turn into one of THOSE students that us in the back row of class used to gaze at in wonder. You know the ones – they put up their hand to answer every question, they procure relevant quotes about the topic in question, eat lunch from neatly labelled lunch bags filled with organic produce from their own garden (very tasty by the way), and they hand in their assignments early. How do they do it?

I can’t say that I’ve got it right yet but here’s some organising tips that have helped me:

* Get a diary/use the calendar in your phone. Before class starts write in every date that is listed, including the start date of the trimester, when every assignment is due, the exact time and location of the tutorials, and when the exams are occurring. Tedious, I know, but it saves sooo much time later.

* Then map out your week, setting aside the relevant hours for study, work, alone-time, and social activities.

* Stick to the plan. I find this is what makes the balance work. For example, I have two study days set aside from my regular commitments and activities. At the start of the trimester I don’t have a lot to do because the assignments aren’t always listed and there are no close deadlines. This is the time that I do extra reading, borrow some books that are relevant to the subject from the library, and even make some draft notes for the assignment. Then when assignments are due I can concentrate on the specific task because I am ahead in the reading, etc.

* Switch off. Sometimes literally. I’ve found that one way of coping with the stress of university and all the expectations that come with that is to switch off the computer, fold up the class notes, shut the study books. If everything is going to plan then I have time to have a guilt-free coffee with friends, attend work, go for a swim/run/ride, have a nap(!) because I know that at the next scheduled time I will complete the tasks that I set for myself.


I know that sometimes it seems like a balance between social and academic life is an enigma but a large part of achieving a balance comes down to being organised and allowing yourself the freedom to relax as well.

Wishing you all the best in achieving an amazing academic and social life balance!



Monday 26 March 2012

Full-time student, part-time worker



-By Ryan

Have you ever had the experience of working full-time and studying part-time? You possibly have. But have you ever had the experience of studying full-time and working part-time? Possibly not! Welcome to university life!

While some students may decide not to work and instead focus entirely on their studies, there are others who wish to earn a few bucks. Especially, when the cost of living is high and the part-time income can help the student to be a bit more financially independent.

Finding a part-time job can be a daunting experience at times. When I came to Melbourne, I had no idea that I would have to wait for five months to find a part-time job. For five stressful months, I tried everything from applying online on popular websites and visiting job agencies to personally handing my resume at different stores. What eventually worked for me was a friend of mine, knowing someone through whom I got a job. As I reflected over this job-hunting experience of mine, I realised that I myself might have been responsible for my lack of success in obtaining a job. I had a lengthy resume with a list of qualifications which would clearly not help my case to find a simple part-time job requiring minimum qualifications. So the first lesson I learnt was: tailor your resume to the type of job you are applying for.

Once the stress of finding a job was over, there was a new kind of stress! Balancing studies and work; balancing them both can be a stressful experience at times. In my case, it was a bit difficult for me at the start juggling my university commitments and my work life. Sometimes, I wondered why there were just 24 hours in a day! Studying for a master’s degree is no cakewalk, and when you have a job as well, it makes it all the more tough. Some of my friends marvelled as to how I could balance study and work together. But I guess, it all comes down to self-discipline, and that means prioritising your commitments, keeping targets and believing in yourself. I have learnt to be more responsible and take things in my stride. At the end of the day, this experience has made me a more mature person. For now, I leave you with these thoughts of mine and wish you all the best as you pursue your dreams at Deakin.

Monday 19 March 2012

Meeting students from other cultures

-By Sui On Tang




I got an opportunity to meet new students from other cultures during Orientation Week at Deakin. I found it to be fascinating as it is a completely different environment compared to high school. At Deakin, there were students from all over the world. We were attending lectures and tutorials together. But initially, it was hard for me to communicate with students from other countries as I am an international student with my mother tongue being Cantonese and Mandarin. Also, I am really shy and feel nervous that the conversation with them will end quickly. Hence, I was anxious about making friends from different cultures. This made me feel isolated and I found it difficult to fit in.

But this situation changed after I joined a few student clubs and societies, like the Deakin Sri Lankan & Indian Club and The Australian Union of Jewish students. They gave me a new perspective on Deakin. I got to learn more about different foods, events and traditions in various countries all over the world. This helped me to connect with other students and integrate into university life. For example, now I start conversations with other people and try to find out whether we have any common interests. It provides me with the opportunity, as well as for them, to learn about foreign languages, countries and cultures. I learnt that all these students are just like me; they feel lonely sometimes. But they are all nice and friendly. So we are all in the same boat. Now, I am enjoying the life of cultural diversity at Deakin while studying my double degree undergraduate course.

Monday 12 March 2012

Finding Share Accommodation (when you’re just about to hit 30)

-By Chelsea

Having a mortgage and starting a Doctorate in a new city means three things.


1. I will have no money,
2. I will have no time; and
3. I will have no friends (although I have faith that this condition will improve)

I am fortunate enough to have a generous boyfriend and enough savings to ensure I am not living on the usual student poverty line. However my love for fine wine and dining will have to be put on hold for three years, which is ironic (or is it unfortunate?) as I am moving to a city which defines fine wine and dining in Australia. At least I don’t have to sacrifice coffee which is like steroids for a student.

In an effort to minimise the sacrifices incurred by my limited budget, I decided to investigate share accommodation. While I had generally had great experiences in share houses, I was far from excited about the thought. At least that was until I found a townhouse in Hawthorn with ‘two mature female professionals.’ I sent off a quick email with a ‘brief description about me’ and an hour later got an excited email back from Leslie* who had four fairly major things in common with me:

1. Was the same age as me,
2. Had moved from Brisbane to Melbourne for Uni,
3. Was attending Deakin, and  
4. Was doing a Doctorate in the same course!
As a good social science student I did the math and worked out that there was a 1 in bazillion chance that my first share house enquiry would go to someone like this. I could not conceive that it was anything less than fate. In one small email I had all my problems solved. The share house was cheap - so I would have more money. I could borrow Leslie’s study notes - so I had more time. Finally we were of course soul sisters - so I had a friend! All I needed to do was win over the flatmate and the place was mine…

Except I forgot to win over the flatmate. When I finally had my ‘phone interview,’ I was so intent on finding out more about my new best friend that I forgot to ask the other flatmate pretty much anything about herself. Ooops. I should have known better, I went to an all girls high school and lesson one of “getting in with the group” was to not make any other girl feel left out. So my last email from Leslie was an apology that her flatmate wanted to go with someone they had met in person, presumably someone who didn’t make her feel like the third wheel in their first conversation. So it turned out that fate was just a coincidence.

Applying for a share house and going to an interview feels like on-line dating and I guess the golden rule of dating applies. If you want someone to like you, make them feel like they are important and interesting. Well I did just make that rule up but it’s pretty hard to dislike a person that makes you feel that way! Happy share house hunting :)

*Leslie was obviously not her real name - no one under the age of 45 is called Leslie (surely?)

Monday 5 March 2012

Lost? Unsure? Let student services help you!








-By Erzsebet

I remember walking into university for the first time. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed not knowing what was to be happening next. I had been to the university many times before for rehearsals, and other little events here and there. What I did not know is that there are many services that can make transition to university life just that little bit easier. So I went for a little walk to see what I could find.

My first unit chair at Deakin was very welcoming and took the time to sit down and discuss my areas of concern especially as, coming back to on campus was the biggest hurdle in my life (well one of them!) She suggested the Disability Resource Centre-DRC. The staff at DRC assist those who have special needs, whether medical, or other. Together, with the liaison officers, I created a Learning Access Plan. This is a confidential document that assists the staff to ensure your needs are met.

Learning has never been my strong point but I found through ads that there were Language and Learning Advisers who can help with your work. I made an appointment and they gave me an hour session and we were able to go through what I need help with. These ranged from Essay writing skills to referencing in the different styles that are essential to the subject areas I am studying. They also suggested me to go to Study Skills workshops which help students in better academic writing and learn some useful tricks. These workshops have been really helpful and my marks have shown significant improvement since I have been at Deakin.

More often than not without realizing, we can feel overwhelmed, anxious or stressed. Effects of these symptoms vary from person to person. This sort of thing can affect the everyday functioning of an individual. I know from a personal level that my emotions can overtake me when I least expect it. The Counselling service at Deakin was and continues to be such a wonderful service to use as hard as it was at first! If you are feeling really down and out, don’t be afraid to ask for help! I even learnt there are medical services available for students right on campus! Nurses, Doctors, Counsellors, how much more convenience could one ask for?

Careers?! AHH! What do I want to do?! How will I get there?! So many ideas came and went through my mind. So I went to the Careers office-Jobshop. They offer resume checks, career tests, cover letter checks, etc. Last year, I went to an appointment with an adviser who helped me to work out that I was destined for area that I have always loved! – Commerce/HRM.

I recommend students to make the best use of all the DSL services that are provided, right here on campus.They are here to help us succeed and make the most of our time here at Deakin.