Nikki: Making the most out of university

It’s week 4 at university and I am quite ready for the Easter break! The last four weeks have flown by and they have been incredibly hectic. I spent Orientation Week frantically bolting from club to club, so it wasn’t unusual to see me changing from one committee shirt to another (like a superhero… or masked vigilante).

As a third year, I need to have sufficient time management and organisation skills in order to manage university, work and club commitments. I must admit, it is very tiring trying to balance everything and I am most likely doing too much, but it keeps me motivated!

I enjoy being actively involved in all aspects of uni because during my first year, my motivation and productivity levels were really low. I remember struggling to adjust from high school to university because I was lacking in self-discipline and had trouble completing all the assignments and assessments. However, I’ve since realised that my motivation is linked to passion and engagement. So after a mediocre first year of university, I have actively searched for volunteering, leadership and work opportunities at Monash and there’s so much choice!

I have wholeheartedly immersed myself in university life and it’s one of the best changes that I have made since starting uni. It’s crazy to think that I’m now in my penultimate year of my double degree and that very soon I’ll be moving on to the next chapter of my life.

As the Human Resource Director of the VSA (Vietnamese Students Association) Monash, I have been conducting recruitment interviews the last few weeks and it’s exciting to see that there are students who are stepping outside of their comfort zone and joining committees. Crazy to think that I was in their shoes not too long ago!

Additionally, as a Student Success Advisor, my job is to contact first year undergraduate students and to assist them with their transition into uni life. This role has meant that I provide constant referrals to new students, and it has made me realise the sheer number of support networks available for students to ensure that they feel welcomed.

My advice is simple. I tell it to the students who I call for my job and to the students who are in the peer ambassador programs: make the most of it! Your time at university is very short, so make the experience worthwhile. Your university experience can be some of the best years of your life if you grab every opportunity available. It’s more than just receiving a distinction on an assignment or acing that mid-semester exam - it’s about challenging yourself, networking, making new friends and exploring your interests.

There’s a unique student culture here at uni and being involved in extracurricular activities proves immensely favourable to employers, because of the skills and experiences you can gain and apply. If I could go back in time and give some advice to my first-year self, that would be it. However, this applies to all university students – new and old! Those who are already in second, third or even fourth year, should never feel like it’s too late to be participating in committees, volunteering and leadership programs.