Mangala: Mid-semester week

It’s mid-semester week for many of us at Monash!

As part of the Peer Mentor program at Monash, senior students are assigned to new students to help them transition into university life. As a mentor, I did my best to calm my mentees, who are furiously panicking over assignments and mid-sem tests.

Most of my friends are busily studying, but my week began with an assembly speech at Melbourne High School. Returning to my old school brought back so many memories, however, I could also feel the tension in the air, as the senior high school students have their trial exams next week.

After giving my speech (which was about time management) and spending some time catching up with all the senior students and teachers, I had to rush back to uni to attend my classes. Evidently, time management is pivotal!

Being back at my old high school reminded me how much I miss it. I think I even shed a tear or two over it! One thing you learn to get used to at uni is that there isn’t that same ‘cohort’ vibe that’s evident in high school, since everyone will eventually go off on their own paths. Because of this, it’s easy to feel isolated, so I always try to foster and develop as many friendships as possible.

During lectures and tutorials, I always like to say hi to the person next to me, especially if they’re alone and looking through Facebook memes on their phone. In my opinion, Mondays are the best day to make new friends, because you can always ask: “how’s your weekend? What did you get up to?”