Sometimes we can overthink the big life decisions…

I’m guilty of this. When I was deciding which university I wanted to study at I had my heart set on one in particular, and I wanted it so much that I went for early admission. I actually didn’t even come up with an option B. For the entirety of year 11 and 12 I had planned on attending this university, but by the time I got to decision time it just didn’t seem like a great idea. Here’s why:

Approaching uni with an open mind is the only way to go. You probably spent a lot of your senior years imagining up scenarios and ideas of what university would be like – and the real thing will likely be very different. Never assume that there is only one university for you, the truth is that there are heaps of uni’s you could fit well with. Plus, having a few universities considering you is never a bad thing!

When I was applying for university I wanted to go to a particular uni so bad. I focused on it all year, and pretty desperately set my mind to it. But by the time my results came out I realised how many more options were in front of me. I banked on the fact that I might not do too well, and so went for a uni that would accept me. Not only was I pleasantly surprised by my marks, I was able to add a bunch of uni’s to my preferences that I had never even considered, and that was an exciting prospect.

Like I said, never assume uni is going to be the way you’ve built it up in your head. Sure, there will be some similarities, but you’re never going to get it spot on, so make sure you research your options. Read up about the university and its reputation with your chosen subjects. Some uni’s specialise in business, others in medicine – finding the university that’s right for you is so important, so never assume it will have everything you need – do some reading.

Putting your chickens in one basket won’t end well

While it’s awesome to have a set of goals, don’t make them too narrow. I can’t tell you how awful the feeling will be if you bank on one uni and you don’t get the offer you were after. Never ever put yourself in a position to be left without an option. You deserve to go to a uni that you like! That means being a little more open-minded about what’s out there. There are universities all over the country, just make sure you’re covering yourself if you don’t get your first choice – there are plenty of places that want you to be their student!

My point here is this: don’t narrow your view as soon as your life is about to open a lot of doors. The most options you’ll ever have in your life start when you finish high school, and to this day it’s the most freeing feeling I know. Don’t squander it, set yourself up for success.

Missed out on your first preference University? Not to worry, there are still so many options and exciting opportunities before you.

Why Not Getting Your First Preference Isn't So Bad

For a first timer coming to university, nerves don’t discriminate.

No matter where you study, it’s always a nerve-wracking experience when you’re moving to a new area. I’ve been there before, with online university. I had no idea what to click or what to do! That’s where the teachers and staff come in. There are always options for help at the university, and it’s easy to forget that. Uni staff are there to help you settle in and answer your questions – the best advice I can give you is to be yourself and ask the questions you want to ask, because you’re never alone – other people are probably asking exactly the same questions!

Stress is a huge strain on the student experience, and it can feel like a constant state of being when you’re in the middle of studying. But if you find your&nbsp;own personal ways to relax, you’ll find that getting passed those first assignments and exams are much less daunting than you first imagined. My advice? Don’t give up. It’s easy to throw in the towel and decide that it’s just too hard to continue, but it’s not – you’ve worked so hard to get to this point, throwing it away when you’ve just gotten started is something you could regret. Always allow yourself the time to ease into a degree. Jumping to a conclusion too quickly could hurt you more than help you. The great thing about sticking with a degree is that there are a lot of areas to branch off into. Electives and subject majors are an exciting part of the university experience, because you get to specialise in areas of interest. For me, I had a university mentor who have me the encouragement to keep pressing on by telling me to “give it your all”. That is what uni is all about: it’s about new skills, pushing yourself to your limits to see what career path you want to take. You should be proud for taking such huge steps to work towards a goal.

You can gain a lot from this experience, and it’s not just about the piece of paper you get at the end. Support from your friends, family, pets (if you’re a pet whisperer ;)) is what can carry you through to the end of your degree, and it shouldn’t be underestimated.

Far better is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs. even though checkered by failure… than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a grey twilight that knows no victory or defeat.

Positive thinking is what it’s all about. It’s easy to give up, and to decide you don’t want to continue, but if you set your mind to the end-goal, and you can keep it in your sights, you’ll be a graduate before you know it&nbsp;

This blog was written by blog contributor Mark Howden. Mark is a 1st year Bachelor of Arts student at Southern Cross University online.

Are you struggling with exams? Fellow student Mark Howden gives his top tips for pushing through when times get tough.

Perseverance 101: What To Do When You Feel Like Giving Up

Adult life is full of expectations, so here are some more.

Whether you’re going into your very first&nbsp;~second~&nbsp;semester or you’ve made it to your very last semester ever, here are some on (and off)-campus living habits you need to pick up to make those next weeks of studying and exams fly by!

Yes, I am aware that humans are yet to discover the secret to waking up at an ungodly hour without having the feeling that your brain is self-destructing, BUT being able to put yourself to bed with lights off at an hour that is most efficient for your study/work/classes schedule is the most valuable thing for your studies and lifestyle. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/" target="_blank">The Sleep Health Foundation</a>&nbsp;says that young adults between 18 to 25 need 8-10 hours a night, with 6-11 hours “appropriate” but not recommended. Of course, everyone is different but being able to tuck yourself in at a similar time each night will do wonders for your sleep cycle and will make you wake up earlier in the long-run.

If you need a little more help with your sleep habits, the Bedtime function in your iPhone’s clock app is super handy and there are hundreds of other sleep apps that can get you started.

I say this as a student who lived on campus for two years and struggled quite a bit with adjusting my lifestyle after school (which is a totally common issue amongst students btw). Like so many other residents, I had moved out of my parents’ home and had to learn how to start this whole “independent” living thing and this huge change started taking a toll on my mental health.

I’d heard so many health gurus (and basically every second person) rave about meditation, but I had never partaken in this strange phenomenon where a human stops doing everything they’re supposed to be doing. Sitting with your eyes closed at your desk for even 5 minutes and focusing on your breathing will help curb any anxieties and worries that may be burdening you and helps balance out your 9 to 5 schedule. Meditation doesn’t have to take away from the time you need to study and do assignments, and can be practised when you have an extra 5 or 10 minutes at any time throughout the day. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.headspace.com/" target="_blank">Headspace</a>&nbsp;app is fantastic if you’re a beginner and will get you hooked in no time!

“Meditation doesn’t have to take away from the time you need to study and do assignments…”

It doesn’t matter what stage of uni you’re at, you NEED to have a trusty diary or calendar to help you visualise the weeks ahead. Marking all your important dates (assessment deadlines, holiday breaks, birthdays, payments) will seriously take a massive amount of stress away and help you focus on commitments and priorities each week. If you have a diary, keep it in your bag as much as you can just in case anything pops up, and if you invest in a wall planner or calendar, make sure it’s somewhere where you can really notice it and easily add to it. Visuals – they’re a godsend.

It can be hard to allow yourself some “active” time each day, especially if you live on campus where work and play are&nbsp;often combined. It might seem super lame that I’m adding this to the list, but from my time living on campus, I know exactly what it’s like to feel caught up in hectic university life and sometimes it can be hard to get in touch with your surroundings outside of uni. If your classes start early, make time during the day to go for a fast-paced walk to clear your head,&nbsp;and each day, go a little further.&nbsp;It can be easy to forget about personal health and fitness, but balance is necessary in times of stress and pressure and allows you to clear your head. Going for some quick and easy exercise can help you get a fresh take on any assessments you’re stuck on!

And if you really have no time to take a break, try not to coop yourself up inside your room to study! Find a cafe on campus or anywhere nearby where you can study quietly and&nbsp;treat yoself&nbsp;with a sneaky brownie or cake when you’ve reached a study goal. #motivation

It’s easy to fall out of habits when your lifestyle changes drastically. Moving out of home means you’re starting from scratch, so getting those standard good habits nailed before uni goes back just might make things that little bit easier in the long-run.&nbsp;

This blog was written by&nbsp;blog contributor Megan McClelland&nbsp;(<a href="https://twitter.com/meg_mccl" target="_blank">@meg_mccl</a>). Megan&nbsp;is studying a Bachelor of&nbsp;Media and Communications (Journalism) at UNSW in Sydney, and is originally from Batemans Bay, NSW.

Whether you’re going into your very first ~second~ semester or you’ve made it to your very last semester ever, here are some on (and off)-campus living habits you need to pick up to make those next weeks of studying and exams fly by!

Habits To Pick Up Before Uni Goes Back (No Pressure)

Given the eye-watering hard work you have put in to attend university, you may as well make the most of your time there.

Many graduates still look back on their time at&nbsp;university&nbsp;as the most enjoyable yet challenging period of their lives.

Hopefully the end result will be a decent degree that serves you well later on in life, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the freedom that comes with a uni lifestyle while you’ve got it.

Some people still have regrets from their student years, and if they could do it again or offer advice to others who are about to start university, their tips might look a little like ours…

You don’t even have to have played that particular sport before; university is full of different sports and opportunities to try something new. Sport doesn’t even have to be your thing, as there are plenty of clubs and societies to get involved with.

This is a great opportunity to meet new friends and people that share the similar interests as you. Most universities have an afternoon during the week dedicated to this.

There aren’t many opportunity for you to enjoy a three-month summer when you start the working life, so relish it while you can and go and see the world. Obviously still on a student budget! You can pick the cheapest countries (mainly around Eastern Europe) and go on an adventure while sticking to your budget!

3. Don’t feel the pressure to go on every night out

Don’t get into the habit of thinking you have to be on EVERY single night out in case something different happens and you miss out!

Spoiler alert – something different doesn’t happen, 99% of your nights out will be exactly the same. Don’t be scared to miss a few, you can easily catch up.

If you’re lucky enough to find yourself with any spare or extra cash as a student, once the bills have drained your bank account! Try and put a little bit away, even if that’s starting a loose change jar. Like they say, every penny counts!

Not only does it give your CV a nice little boost, it also helps shape what you are interested in providing a link to what you are studying, if it’s something you’re serious about pursuing a career in, there’s a good chance it’ll leave you more driven than ever. Keep your eyes peeled for any more handy tips or visit our blog on to plan your road trips this&nbsp;summer.

Many graduates still look back on their time at university as the most enjoyable yet challenging period of their lives. Here's our bucket list of things you should do before you finish uni.

Things You Should Do Before You Leave University

Despite our best intentions, sometimes it’s hard to focus on our studies. And with so many distractions at our fingertips these days (cough – Instagram – cough), it’s harder than ever to stop procrastinating.

Lucky for you, we’ve come up with some top tips to prevent procrastination and help you make the most of your time at Uni and still have time left over to socialise.

Whether you plan to live in private student accommodation or find student roommates, make sure you live close to campus. The less time you spend commuting to class, the more time you have to&nbsp;finish your assignments before your brain taps out for the day!

Give yourself designated time-slots for studying and stick to them.

Committing to bite-size chunks of work is easier than sitting down for 5 hours to write a mammoth essay.

Seeing what you have to do written down in front of you will help you see the big picture. Ticking tasks off one by one can also be immensely satisfying and weirdly quite motivating!

Reward yourself with a cup of tea, cold beer or a bit of TV downtime once you’ve completed the tasks you set yourself.

With so many distractions like Whatsapp, Instagram and SnapChat notifications pinging off all the time, your phone will not be a helpful study companion. Put it away.

Unless you have to use the internet for research, remove any temptation to check your Insta or watching random YouTube videos.

Have you ever been so stressed that you spend hours just looking at your to-do list rather than actually working through it?

Avoid this by allowing yourself to give into your stress. Give yourself 10 minutes to feel overwhelmed and then put it aside and get to work.

Give yourself a task and only focus on that task for 10 minutes. Then give yourself a 2 minute rest. Repeat.

Sometimes you just have to stop thinking about it and do it. If you’re stressing out over your long to do list, just ignore everything else and simply start on one task. Then that’s one less thing you have to stress about.

It’s all about your mindset. Give yourself plenty of encouragement.

Gearing yourself up to get started on a mountain of assignments is ridiculously tough. Complete your assignments as soon as you get them, then you never have to think about them again!

It’s a lot easier to work once you’re in the zone. Whether that’s on your bed, at a local coffee shop or in the peace and quiet of your postgraduate student accommodation workroom or e-library, find a place that works for you.

This also applies to your choice of student living accommodation. If you know you’re going to have to put your head down this year, opt for a small student room or quieter&nbsp;<a href="http://groupclv.com/">student housing accommodation</a>. Or if you’re going in to a house share, use a student roommate finder to find other hard-working students looking for roommates. You can still have a good time, but at least you’ll be surrounded by people who have the same attitude to studying as you.

Everyone struggles to stay motivated sometimes. So don’t stress, take everything in manageable doses and stay positive. Remember, Uni is about enjoying yourself as well as working hard!

We’ve come up with some top tips to prevent procrastination and help you make the most of your time at Uni and still have time left over to socialise .

13 Tips To Stop Procrastinating And Finish Your Assessments Before Deadline 

We are so fortunate to be living in the era of technology. Knowledge, information and the ability to observe many different perspectives are available right at our fingertips. As students, now is the best time to immerse yourself into a range of different realities and use this opportunity to learn more about the world around you.

Numerous movies across all languages and cultures allows you to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes and teach you to empathise with those you might not have met yet. Here are some fascinating movies to broaden your perspective.

Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind | English

This science fiction romantic drama film explores themes of love and loss, as well as the fleetingness and resilience of our memories. The film centres around a couple who went through a painful breakup and have decided to erase all memories of each other. It explores the depths of the human experience of love and emotions. Why do we try so hard to forget pain and hurt? Is it worth getting rid of all your memories of a person—even the happiest ones? If you do have a spotless mind (no memories of the times your heart hurt, or your fists clenched, or moments where all there was to do was cry), do you get eternal sunshine (happiness always)?

If you’re in the mood to explore the joys of romance and the sorrow of break-ups, this is a great watch!

This movie won four awards at the 2020 Oscars, including the esteemed Best Picture Award. Well-written, well-shot and with fantastic acting—this movie explores class discrimination and greed in Korea. The film centres around the destitute Kim family as they try to worm their way into well-paying jobs from the wealthy Park family. This movie portrays class struggles in an eye-opening way, really showing how money affects people’s thoughts, behaviours and actions. It’s a great perspective into how capitalism functions and how it hurts those at the bottom of the hierarchy.

This movie takes you on a roller coaster of emotions, from laughter and tears to anger, heartbreak and fear. The entire spectrum of human emotions neatly wrapped up in 2 hours and 12 minutes.

Her, is a science fiction romance film that explores humanity’s ever-growing attachment to machines and things. The plot follows a sensitive man that is going through heartbreak and loneliness after his marriage ends. During this time, he becomes fascinated with a new operating system that develops a unique and intuitive identity—think an extension of the Siri and Alexa programs we have today. He eventually starts developing feelings for this artificial intelligence (AI). This film does a great job at navigating our deeper reliance on technology, especially AI. When we talk and converse with technology, how does it affect our relationship with this inanimate object? Can we still get attached to something that isn’t human, but talks, responds and makes you feel like you are interacting with one? Is this a potential reality given the rapid development of AI and other human-like technology on the horizon?

A beautiful movie with a lovely score to match, this film will have you rethinking your relationships with your smartphones and other smart devices.

Taare Zameen Par (Like Stars on Earth) | Hindi

This beautiful, feel-good movie explores the importance of having good educators and the struggles of having different learning abilities. The movie follows a young boy, Ishaan, who has dyslexia and is constantly being put down for not being able to do things ‘normally’ at home and at his boarding school. A newly transferred art teacher, Ram Shankar, notices his struggles and starts helping him discover his potential despite his differences. This emotional drama shows you how our societal structures can be so ingrained that we forget to make room for those that are different. Something simple for some can be a monumental and difficult task for others.

Laugh, smile and cry as you watch Ishaan break barriers and help those around him learn to understand and embrace him for who he is.

A never-ending supply of exciting experiences

These are merely some of the thousands of movies created by the artists and creatives of our world to help inspire and teach. We love hosting movie nights at <a href="http://groupclv.com/">all our village campuses</a>! So, if you have a particular movie that you’ve been wanting to watch, why not make it an event and get some friends to join in so you can learn, grow and laugh together.

Movies are more than just entertainment. You can learn so much and get a broader perspective of our world and the many different experiences we have in it.

Learning Through Entertainment: Movies to Broaden Your Perspective | Campus Living Villages

Learning Through Entertainment: Movies To Broaden Your Perspective

The past few months saw a major shift in the way we operate and our day-to-day routines. Instead of going into class or catching the bus to one of the local cafés, we now spend most of our time at home.

For those that are studying, this change can be quite overwhelming and difficult. You might find yourself really productive on some days and unable to do anything on others. Studying during a crisis is difficult and things may feel out of your control. However, there are a few steps you can take to help you study better and stay motivated even in trying times.

Your brain can’t focus if you have a lot of pent up emotions and feelings. It’s important for you to name your feelings, sit with them and tend to them. It’s ok to feel sad, frustrated, annoyed or anything else. Be honest with yourself about what you’re truly feeling. Once you acknowledge your emotions, you are giving yourself permission and the understanding to start taking steps towards making yourself feel better.

Be kind to yourself and don’t put push yourself too far. It’s ok if you are struggling. Reach out to those around you or even browse online resources from mental health platforms like&nbsp;<a href="https://headspace.org.au/" target="_blank">headspace</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/" target="_blank">Beyond Blue</a>, to better understand and overcome these feelings. Because remember, these feelings, just like everything else, will pass.

When stuck at home or in your room for long periods of time, it can be tempting to sleep in or take multiple naps throughout the day. However, it’s important that even in these circumstances you stick to a daily routine. It doesn’t need to be strict—just add small steps that can help guide your day.

Set a wake-up time every day that includes a few elements to start your morning: wash your face, make tea and take a moment to meditate or sit in silence. Allocate time for your lunch and create a rough guide of how you would like to spend your day. For example, mornings could be dedicated to lectures and after lunch is a split between working on assignments and tutorials.

You can tailor your schedule to fit your lifestyle and what works best for you — the most important thing is to have one. It might be tough to stick to it at first, but when you attempt it every day, it becomes easier.

Having your workspace be clean and without mess can go a long way at helping your productivity. Scientists from the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute have found ways to show that our brains like organisation and order; having constant visual reminders of disorder and mess can cause our brains to have trouble focusing.

Messy workspaces can be incredibly distracting and will likely cause you to procrastinate. A clean workspace without clutter and ample room to spread out will give you the deep focus you need to get some studying done.

Sometimes, we can get too involved in the work we are doing and that too can be a bad thing. Not moving about and constantly working can cause you to feel tired and even get burnt out quickly.

Remember to schedule in short breaks to watch an episode of your favourite TV show or make some homemade bubble tea. Plus, because you’re spending most of your day sitting and in front of a computer screen, it’s important to get active with some form of physical activity. Even if you’re stuck at home, there’s heaps of free videos online for yoga, home workouts, dance class, or you can join our virtual workout sessions as part of our online ResLife program — the choices are endless.

Tip #5 | Stay Connected with Friends &amp; Family

Even though you’re mostly indoors and not allowed to socialise, you can still stay connected to your friends and family. In fact, now more than ever it’s important to maintain those social connections and feelings of belonging. Schedule in time to video call your family members, organise<a href="https://zoom.us/" target="_blank">&nbsp;Zoom</a>&nbsp;catch ups with your best friends or maybe even join an online book club or discussion room! Interacting with other people can help you feel less lonely and help give you something to look forward to in your days. This way you can dedicate time to studying, knowing you have a fun activity planned for later.

We have launched a virtual ResLife program at Campus Living Villages to keep our residents connected and to give them an opportunity to socialise. This includes a series of daily events such as virtual movie nights, e-cooking classes and online arts and crafts workshops – all of which they can participate in from their rooms.

Don’t Hesitate to Reach Out for Support when You Need It

If you find that you are struggling to keep yourself motivated and focus on studying, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. Whether it’s from your course mates, your lecturers or your loved ones.

At&nbsp;<a href="http://groupclv.com/">Campus Living Villages,</a>&nbsp;we have a team of Residential Assistants and a whole community to help you should you need it! We will get through these uncertain times together, so don’t hesitate to talk to us if you need to.

Can’t seem to focus on your studies while in isolation? Campus Living Villages has a few tips to help you stay motivated when you’re stuck indoors.

Studying During Isolation: Tips To Stay Motivated When Stuck Indoors

If you’re considering studying abroad in Australia, you might be interested to know that the number of international students reached an all-time high earlier this year.

The Department of Education reported a combined 542,054 enrolments between Australian universities, private colleges, English language courses, and schools across Australia in February. According to the government’s figures, 31% of these students come from China with large numbers also coming from India, Nepal, Malaysia and Vietnam. There has also been a recent rise in numbers from Brazil and Colombia.

So whether you’re looking to broaden your horizons by learning about various cultures, or feeling homesick and want to meet some new friends from your home country, there now more opportunities to do so than ever before!

But what can you do to make the most out of Australia’s diverse culture and meet other overseas students?

A great thing about moving to Australia as a student is that there are endless opportunities to meet other people. The easiest of which is through your studies. Make friends with your classmates. Invite them for a coffee or a drink after class or suggest a study group. No matter who your fellow classmates are and where they are from, there is at least one thing you have in common and that is the class you are in. Make the most of this common ground!

Another great way of meeting people with similar interests is by joining a club. Whether that’s a chess club, sports team or a hiking group, you can bond with likeminded people over shared interests. And if you can’t find a club for your favourite activity or hobby within your university, why not start your own?

&nbsp;Choose your student accommodation wisely&nbsp;

Why make life difficult for yourself by living in any old student room in Australia? There are plenty of options specifically for&nbsp;<a href="http://campuslivingvillages.com/blog/5-things-to-look-for-in-student-accommodation/">overseas students looking for accommodation</a>&nbsp;which will allow you to meet other people on your doorstep!

Whether it’s off-campus student housing or an official international students residence, pick an option that allows you to meet students in a similar situation. Whether that’s Australian or international students, living in affordable apartments for college students allows you to meet people who are studying just like you.

When selecting university student housing, however, make sure you opt for reputable companies. Although Australia is a safe country overall, there are some individuals who are renting rooms to international students in order to make quick and easy money. The cost of living in Australia for international students and the cost of living in Australia for students, in general, can be challenging without landlords taking advantage. Avoid these by choosing companies who specialise in student housing in Australia to ensure you have safe and high-quality housing.

Once you’ve selected a place providing accommodation for overseas students, make sure you get to know your neighbours. Socialising with your housemates and neighbours is a fantastic way to make friends easily!

&nbsp;How to find&nbsp;international student accommodation

If you’re looking for cheap accommodation in Australia for students or rooms for foreign students, check out our&nbsp;<a href="https://campuslivingvillages.com/australia">village locations</a>. Or to learn about our&nbsp;V1 – First Year Uni Program&nbsp;(which is dedicated to helping students make friends, feel at home and excel in their academic and social lives), head to our website or&nbsp;contact us&nbsp;for more information.

Are you looking for international student accommodation in Australia? Check out our top tips on how to make friends and meet other international students.

Did You Know That There Are Over 500,000 International Students In Australia?

Everything you need to know about studying, campus life, CLV News, student culture and more.

Read the Campus Living Villages blog for everything you need to know about studying, campus life, CLV News, student culture, on-campus accommodation and more.

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