Independence at Uni! - Student Equity Unit

At university you are expected to be more independent than you were at secondary school. You are expected to progress towards being an adult learner, and to take personal responsibility for establishing and organising your own program of study.

At university it's not appropriate to say 'I'm just a poor organiser'; becoming a well-organised student is one of the important learning opportunities that university can provide.

University study gives you experience in developing growing independence.

The independence expected of you extends to many areas of your learning experiences at the university. For example, your attendance at classes may not be checked up on (although pracs are compulsory) and you may be expected to hand up assignments on time without being reminded that they're due. If you need assistance with some aspect of your learning you will have to approach a lecturer or tutor and say what your problem is. Don't expect them to approach you. Also, you will be expected to work out your own timetable for attendance at classes, for going to the library, for study, and for doing assignments.

University gives you freedom of choice about study. It does not give you freedom from study. Once you've made it to university you need to take maximum advantage of the learning opportunities available to you.

Last point - make sure you keep your parents in touch with how you are going. They may often be anxious about how you are coping (especially if you haven't lived away from home before) and, remember, this may be a new experience for them as well.

Student Experiences

Toni

Don't think that uni study will be easier than secondary school. Be prepared to work harder. I'd never written essays of more than 3-4 pages at school, but now I have to write about 10 pages. What I've found is that I've had to learn to organise my time.

Michelle

It's such a change from compulsory classes at school to having complete control of one's time at uni, with no reminders to go to lectures, tutes, etc. And at night, mum's not around to tell me to get on with my homework. But now that I've got myself organised, and focused on what I have to get done, it's going well.

Sonja

I agree that it's best to be organised. I've worked out a study schedule for myself. Every so often I 'veg' out, but then I know it's time to change. But I find my study schedule helps to keep me on target.

Ray

At school I used to rely a lot on my memory, and that usually got me high marks in tests. In uni lectures a lot of material is covered quickly, so you need to spend time checking that you understand what has been said.

Mick

The degree of independence in study you have at university was a culture shock for me at first. The temptation all the time was to 'leave the work until later'! But now I've got my social life organised around a program of study that suits me, and I find that the balance really works well. I actually enjoy it.

Ray

You have to learn to balance socialising and study. I know some guys who put all their time into socialising, but I don't let yourself be too influenced by them. I think I'd feel badly towards my parents if I wasted my time here. I know they're sacrificing a lot to enable me to go to uni.