Kristen: Biggest difference between high school and uni and how to balance uni with other parts of your life

The best part of university is that it provides you with the flexibility to study at your own pace. As I am a motivated, self-starter, this works really well for me. I was given the opportunity of a 12 month coop program at GM Holden this year and Monash has provided me with time off and even the option to study part-time with a reduced amount of workload in order to support me in gaining valuable industry experience in the “real world.” Therefore balancing university with other parts of my life as well has been very manageable. I am able to socialise with my friends after University hours as well as interact and meet new people during university breaks and contact hours that are flexibly arranged.

The biggest difference between high school and university is the independence. Often in high school you are guided and pushed in the right direction and encouraged and assisted along the way. Needless to say this does not occur at University however, at university it is all up to the individual to chase their dreams. University treats you like an adult in the sense that you have the freedom of choice in what you do. For example, at high school, classes were compulsory to attend or else you would be issued with a severe consequence for being absent. On the other hand, university classes are compulsory, however some students choose whether they attend or not. Although there are no direct consequences involved immediately, this eventually catches up with you as you lack the relevant knowledge prior to exams or assignment preparation. University requires you to be self-driven and a self- starter to properly succeed whereas in high school you are pushed and motivated by your teachers to achieve your best result.