Any 1st students finding university life difficult? (1 Viewer)

[leisl1990]

University life appears to be really difficult to me.
The lecturer i have teaches us a whole chapter in 2 hrs. We also have to print out and read lecture notes, tutorial questions and many more prior to lectures/ tutorials.
The whole lecture thing is so dull. The lecturers generally just keep talking for 2 hrs and occasionally crack some rubbish jokes. And at the end of the lectures, i felt like i didn't learn anything at all.

Note-taking is also a difficult job. We used to have nice teachers to tell us what to write on our books and give us time for writing at school. Not sure if this was the case for everyone, but maybe Im just too unfournate to have gone to a mediocre public school.
The thing is I can't listen when im writing, which make it difficult for me to learn in lectures and tutorials.

I am a really unorganised person, never use a diary or anything alike. Therefore I am having great difficuties in organising my own study.

does anyone also find its difficult to socialise because you have to go to different classses and see too many people? So even if you know a few people, but you can hardly see them at uni.

I thought i'd be doing alright at uni because i made the cut-off. but really not as i can see now

 

[Silver Persian]

-New contexts are always difficult to negotiate. Keep going, and I'm sure by second semester you will have gotten into the swing of things.
-It is difficult to write and listen at the same time - if they are available, print out lecture slides before lectures so you don't have to write as much down.
-I would encourage the use of diaries to plan how the smester is going to go, and to know when many assignments are due at the same time.
-I actually found that I was expected to do more reading in first year first semester than any other semester. I'm not entirely sure why, but keep faith that the readings may get smaller in second and third year

 

[Kiim2507]

Yeah it's pretty much the same for me.
I find the lectures soo boring and I can't focus properly then miss everything the lecturer is saying lol.
I don't find note taking too bad. Depends I guess. One of my lecturers just reads exactly whats on the PowerPoint presentation so thats ok but another one puts one thing on a slide and expands so it's heard to keep up.

And yeah its really hard to socialise cos I have like 20+ people in each of my tutes and because I'm only doing 1 required subject I don't have anyone thats in more then 1 of my tutorials.

Kinda frustrating but oh well. Group works helps cos you have contact each other outside of class so it makes it easier.

Oh well hopefully as the semester goes on it will get easier.

 

[Rafy]

does anyone also find its difficult to socialise because you have to go to different classses and see too many people? So even if you know a few people, but you can hardly see them at uni.

Get involved in clubs and societies.

 

[darkwolfzx]

first year won't be easy for a lot of us. This year I feel more collected in what I want to achieve this semester, and have laid out a number of plans to help me reach my goals.

Survive first year, it just might pay dividends

 

[krayzie_]

University life appears to be really difficult to me.
The lecturer i have teaches us a whole chapter in 2 hrs. We also have to print out and read lecture notes, tutorial questions and many more prior to lectures/ tutorials.
The whole lecture thing is so dull. The lecturers generally just keep talking for 2 hrs and occasionally crack some rubbish jokes. And at the end of the lectures, i felt like i didn't learn anything at all.

Note-taking is also a difficult job. We used to have nice teachers to tell us what to write on our books and give us time for writing at school. Not sure if this was the case for everyone, but maybe Im just too unfournate to have gone to a mediocre public school.
The thing is I can't listen when im writing, which make it difficult for me to learn in lectures and tutorials.

I am a really unorganised person, never use a diary or anything alike. Therefore I am having great difficuties in organising my own study.

does anyone also find its difficult to socialise because you have to go to different classses and see too many people? So even if you know a few people, but you can hardly see them at uni.

I thought i'd be doing alright at uni because i made the cut-off. but really not as i can see now

What degree are you doing?

It's hard at first but it will get better.

 

[chewy123]

I totally feel you. I will admit it. After the first day of uni I nearly cried!
Most of my friends are at different uni and it seems people in my class are all selective students with extensive network. Making aquantance isn't hard but people walk their own way right after tutorial or lecture I am so lonely during freetime.
Whenever I flip through the assignment schedules and textbooks (quantitative method in particular) I feel like something is stuck in my throat and a sinking feeling, and to think I have to go through this for five year.

No kidding, I already thinking off dropping one of my degree.

 

[Silver Persian]

Don't worry guys! You will get used to it after one or two semesters, I promise

 

[symple]

It sounds like you feel isolated and overwhelmed; all I can do is reiterate: it DOES get better.

Re: note-taking:
Maybe you could try listening to lecture recordings / making your own recordings on your phone etc., as a bit of security for when you miss stuff. Note-taking is a tricky skill; you'll pick it up as you go along. Hang in there.

Re: lectures:
Yes, lectures can be dull, in which case maybe your lecturers just don't know what they're doing. Just 'cos they know academic stuff, doesn't mean they know how to teach. Sometimes you learn more studying on your own - still best to turn up though.

Re: socialisation:
Join clubs and societies. Don't be afraid to talk to people. Many first-years (and second-years) feel just like you!

Hope this helps. =)

 

[decypher]

It's been said several times already, but anyway another voice can't hurt.

Uni is different to school and will take a bit of getting used to. It is unreasonable to expect to be able to come in week 1 and have things fall into place from the start. Just keep your head above the water this first session, ensure you pass everything and just get out their make friends and enjoy life. I'm not saying this will be easy to do but remember this isn't the HSC you don't have to beat x amount of people because uni is really what you make of it. It can be an academic challenge or a fun social life. It's up to you but just give yourself time to find your feet. And remember most of you are at uni because you want to be there studying so enjoy it.

 

[The_Apprentice]

I was really lost in first year too.
But you'll get used to it by second year. If you are not a naturally organised person - I suggest you get organised, pronto!
I don't think I would be able to pass subjects if I didn't have a diary. So if you have a gold fish memory like me, get one and take it to uni each day. Look at it and remind yourself what you have to do. Otherwise there is a good chance that you'll end up partying all night only to find out (after getting home at 6am) that you have something due that day

 

[jayadore]

Diary is definitely a good idea. I have one plus a monthly calendar at home for assignments/etc.

With the note taking, it's a bit hard.. so if you want to, maybe record them yourself or if you're lucky enough to have them recorded, download it and go through the lecture again (if you're bothered). Can't seem to have any decent advice on note taking since I'm pretty crap at it as well. Although do short hand everything you can, as long as you can still make sense of it.

And don't worry about socialising! It definitely gets easier and you learn to balance your times. First semester is hard but it gets easier!!!

 

[Nebuchanezzar]

Get involved in clubs and societies.

poor advice. people in clubs and socities are freaks, political douchebags, or scared first years trying to fit in. stay away so you can look cool!

 

[decypher]

poor advice. people in clubs and socities are freaks, political douchebags, or scared first years trying to fit in. stay away so you can look cool!

Nah 1st years buy drinks in the bar at 11 in the morning to look cool and then don't finish them.

 

[Nebuchanezzar]

doesn't the bar not open till 1 or something?

 

[decypher]

What kind of peverted uni do you go to?

 

[love.is.around]

I guess it always hard to cope. But once you make friedns it will get easier. Iguess you will always compare Uni to s hool, then you will get used to it..

 

[jayadore]

Manning opens at 12 guys.
Geez. = ='

 

[kokodamonkey]

doesn't the bar not open till 1 or something?

12pm it opens

 

[Nebuchanezzar]

Manning opens at 12 guys.
Geez. = ='

i'm sorry



i've bought alcohol at uni a total of three times.