Sahil: Just show up: Pt. 1

“Just show up, and you’ll be fine.”

This was the advice my recently-graduated cousin imparted as I was about to begin my first week at uni. I nodded politely, all the while thinking to myself, “Could he have said anything more generic or useless?” It’s only over two years later that I realise it’s singularly the most valuable tip I’ve been given.

Unquestionably, entering university coincides with a host of other uncharted experiences. Many of you will choose to obtain part/time casual employment whilst studying; for some, this will be a first. Almost all of you will be exposed to new friendships, social events and extra-curricular opportunities. You’ll want to catch up regularly with your best mates from high school, and pick up that sport you gave up in year 12 to focus on VCE. With so much happening all at once, it’s easy for uni to become a bit of a sideshow.

When this invariably happens, it’s critical that you continue to attend scheduled classes. If this isn’t an option, verify that your lecture content is recorded, and watch it as soon as it becomes available online. Although for many, staying up to date with weekly readings isn’t feasible throughout the semester, showing up to class is a comparably easy investment that offers enormous reward.

You’ll find that when you do decide to catch up on your readings, learning the material is significantly easier as you recall concepts that were discussed in class. By extension, your interpretation of those concepts is likely to be much more accurate. If nothing else, there isn’t a better reminder to get your act together than sitting in a tutorial with no idea what’s happening, whilst everyone else seems to be prepared and involved (at least in my experience!). So just show up, and you’ll thank yourself at the end of the semester.