Preparing for University: A Guide for High School Students
- Ashley Holloway
- Feb 22
- 7 min read
Starting University marks an exciting new chapter in your life - one filled with opportunities for growth, learning, and personal development. Whilst the transition from High School can be challenging, being well-prepared will help you make the most of this transformative experience. Here are some essential things you need to know before stepping onto campus for the first time and to maximise your experience whilst at University.
Preparing Before Your First Day at University
Orientation Week (O-Week): Don't skip this! It's your chance to tour the campus, meet fellow students, gain valuable resources and join clubs and societies. There’s also a lot of free stuff!
Enrolment: Ensure all your paperwork is complete, including course enrolment, student ID, and any required textbook purchases. Big tip: enrol in your classes early (when the scheduling process opens) to maximise your diary and time. Studying a double degree, I managed to fit all my lectures and classes within 3-4 days.
Campus Familiarisation: Before classes started, I took a walk around campus to familiarise myself with key locations and building blocks. I’d highly recommend this! If your Uni has it, download their app and campus map (or pick up a hard copy). Locate key places like your lecture rooms, library, comfortable study locations and Student Services.
Stationary prep: Whether you’re a writer or a typer, get your study and note capturing materials ready beforehand. If digital, use a digital notepad that colour codes or separates your subjects/units. If you’re old school, get your notebooks prepped - I had one notebook that was separated by colour codes and tabs foe each subject, helping me keep organised. Don’t forget any other stationary pieces you may need for your course.
Good to know: Academic Life
University study differs significantly from High School. Here's what changes to expect:
Independent Learning: You'll need to manage your own class schedule, study schedule and take responsibility for meeting deadlines. There’s no one to encourage you to go to classes nor is there anyone who will nag or remind you to get your assignments done. Time management is an important part of Uni life and is a key transferrable skill that you’ll utilise for your career and adulthood.
Different Class Types: Depending on your Uni and course, you may have some or all of the following class types:
Lectures: Large group sessions where professors present course material
Take notes (I liked shorthand note taking) and highlight key content to refer back to
Note contact details of professors and tutors
Write down key dates provided (assignment due dates, exams, guest speakers etc)
Tutorials: Smaller group discussions about lecture content
Like a class at High School, more intimate and deeper content/discussions
Likely group work, so be prepared to network and engage
Take notes, ask questions
Practicals/Labs: Hands-on learning sessions
Common in creative, research and medical based subjects, but are definitely known to all subjects
Sometimes introduced towards the end of a degree (I had creative labs throughout my tenure, and my IT based labs came towards my 3rd year and 4th year)
Assessment Structure: Less frequent but more substantial assignments, with greater emphasis on research and critical thinking. Plagiarism is not tolerated and material references must be captured. Be sure to double check reference structure! The preferred structure may differ per Uni and even course. Assessments may also be individually marked or group work. Big tip: Check your assignment criteria sheet to make sure you’re producing what is necessary for top grades.
Exams: Similar to High School, but more substantial. Exams can be closed book or open book (open book allows you to bring along a specific course book to reference.) Long term study and familiarisation is key, cramming won’t be as productive. You’ll be responsible for attending the exam at the right place at the right time, and you’ll need to bring your own exam materials. Check requirements/rules before exam, but you’ll likely need:
Your Student ID
Pencil
Eraser
Water bottle
Making the most out of your time at University
Join Clubs and Societies: Great way to meet like-minded people and build connections. Many potential employers also greatly value these extra-curricular activities.
Utilise Campus Resources: Utilise the resource available to you! They can offer support, guidance and give you an edge. Look for things like:
Academic Support Services
Career Counselling
Mental Health Services
Library Services
Student Services
Health Services
Balance Your Time: Balance your studies, social life, and work commitments. University life is an incredible experience, so do work hard, but remember to enjoy yourself too! Finding a healthy balance between productivity and fun is essential.
Internships and Work Experience: Participating in internships or work experience programs in your field of study is a brilliant and practical way of gaining insight and experience. Future employers value this experience and the skills you learn will enhance your resume and be applied in classroom and beyond. It also opens networking opportunities early in your career and this is priceless.
Get to know HECS-HELP: Understand how your student loan system works. This government program helps eligible students pay their tuition fees, but it's important to understand how repayments work once you start earning above the threshold and how the interest works/is applied (and how much). Don’t forget, you’ll need a Tax File Number to be eligible for this support. It’s also worth checking any additional government financial assistance you may be eligible for.
Practical Tips for Success
Create a Study Schedule: Plan your week around classes, study time, and other commitments. This artefact was absolutely key for me as I was balancing classes, study, work, sport, family time and social time.
Attend classes: Even if attendance isn't mandatory, regular attendance is crucial for understanding course material. Some classes also count towards grades! Participation for some of my classes counted 10% towards my final grade, so I definitely made the most of it.
Form study groups: Collaborative learning can enhance understanding and make studying more enjoyable. If you’re unable to make some lectures or classes, your study group can share notes.
Ask for help early: Don't wait until problems become overwhelming—reach out to professors, tutors, or student services when you need support. Remember that asking for help is completely normal and is a valuable skill you'll use throughout your career.
Stay on top of things: While cramming can be tempting, maintaining consistent study habits throughout the semester is less stressful and more effective. Use digital tools or a physical planner to track assignments, deadlines, and important dates. Set up your organisational system early in the semester to prevent overwhelm later.
Engage a mentor: Finding someone who can guide you through your University journey can not only provide you with a big advantage, but can be a safe space for support. A mentor can provide valuable insights, help you navigate academic challenges, connect you with opportunities, and share their wisdom and experiences. Many Universities offer formal mentoring programs, or you can reach out to professors, industry professionals in your field of interest or dedicated mentors and coaches (like me!) Having this support early can make a significant difference in your academic success and career development.
My own key learnings
I loved my time at University. It was not only imperative to my career aspirations, but a key driver in shaping who I am today. It was a true privilege to have the opportunity to attend University (I was also the first woman in my family to attend, and that was an incredible honour). I hope your journey is as fun and enlightening as mine.
To wrap up, here are some of my own key learnings from my time in Uni (in addition to the info already provided in this post):
Have a growth mindset - Uni can be daunting but see it as an incredible opportunity of learnings and growth. Say yes to stepping outside your comfort zone and take failures on and new learnings. Everyday you leave that campus, you are wiser, more prepared and one step closer to your big career.
Create and maintain a class/study schedule - this was a game changer for me. I had this up on my wall and on my phone, and it included all my lectures, classes, independent study times, group study sessions, work, sport training (cheerleading and touch footy for me), social activities, assessment deadlines and exam times.
Work hard, play hard - Balance is critical. I worked incredibly hard, but I also had lots of fun and took care of my health. I made memories and connections, went to University Balls, Uni game nights and danced until the sun came up. I slept in when I needed, exercised and said no to social gatherings when I just wasn't feeling it. I made good decisions and silly decisions (but always safe decisions) and all of these lead me to where I am now.
Gain work experience - depending on your industry, there are employers out there who have grad programs. However, a lot of industries rely on previous experience, even (frustratingly) for entry level jobs. The internships I took filled my CV with valuable knowledge, skill sets, relevant experience and employer references. These, coupled with my degree and certifications, helped me get my first career-path job in London.
Use this time to learn life skills - now is a great time to learn some key life skills beyond academics, now that you’re more independent. Broaden your financial literacy, learn how to budget and manage expenses, have a go at fixing things around the house, pay bills, set up your LinkedIn, learn about loans and interest and more! I can’t stress enough how important this tip is.
I hope this has helped you gain some insight and advantages in your exciting new journey! Remember that University is not just about academic achievement - it's an opportunity for personal growth, making lifelong friends, and developing professional skills that will serve you throughout your career. Now go out there and change the world!
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