Tips For First Year University Students

Jo provides a breakdown of the variety of ways to get into volunteering.

Year 10 students have some big decisions ahead of them. Julia highlights some of the main factors students need to consider when navigating the minefield of subject selection.

A recent Sydney University study has found that HSC students are losing interest in maths and science.

If you’ve fallen short of the university cut-off, there are some alternative pathways you can take to end up with your desired degree. Some of these are designed to boost your mark, while some will take factors other than your mark into consideration.

For many students, the final year of study is the beginning of the reality of job hunting, and anticipation of the world of work. See how you can stand out from the pack by not only having the right qualification but the right set of skills to boot.

‘Kids always have exciting ideas about what they want to be and I had all those as well, but I think I actually always imagined myself doing medicine in the end.’

You’re standing in your graduation gown, diploma in hand and no longer classified as a ‘student’. It’s time to leave the toga parties and two-minute noodles behind and put your degree to use in the real world.

Australian universities are facing a time of unprecedented change due to cultural and technological shifts and the introduction of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Marni Williams asks: is this the end of the university as we know it?

Regardless of whether you’re 18 and going to university straight from high school or you’re 29 and wanting to gain a qualification, starting uni for the first time can be tough. Here is some advice on how to minimise your pre-uni jitters.

School isn’t for everyone. If you’re already over it and want to leave after Year 10, here are some of your options.

Jo offers some helpful advice to students who are considering taking a gap year.

Once the hype of O-week has died down and you’re due to start your first class, you might be feeling a little confused (and maybe slightly hungover!) about what to actually bring to university and how to find your way around. Here are some practical tips.

\'Have an open mind and accept the Australian culture and nature. Then you can enjoy the relaxed, friendly, natural lifestyle.\'

It’s 2012, and you’re looking to study an IT course. No wonder, from mobile apps to social media to cloud computing, IT plays a massive role in how we socialise, do business and organise our lives, and is one of the hottest and fastest growing industries.

With August already upon us, it’s a crucial time for final year students – it’s time for you to choose your university course preferences.

They say hindsight is 20/20. Jo reflects on some career pointers she wishes she\'d been able to give her 18-year-old self.

They say studying is an investment in your future.

If you’ve ever envisioned yourself as Anne Hathaway’s character in The Devil Wears Prada, you probably already know that a position in the glossy magazine industry is a job a million girls (and a few boys) would kill for.

O-Week is approaching and that excitement you had is quickly being replaced by anxiety. How will you meet people? Did you choose the right course? Marni shares her experience so you don’t have to stress.

From being the youngest ever GM at Bobbi Brown & Origins in Australia to starting an online publishing brand that's a daily destination for 30k+ women, Bahar is a true inspiration to many young entrepreneurs.

When your career’s making you crazy and your job’s all a-jumble, who do you turn to? Ask Jo! Our online career advisor.

Like training wheels for a bike, internships and graduate programs guide and train you into your first real job. They can be the golden ticket to your dream career.

Ever wondered whether your university degree or postgraduate study was worth the money? Marni looks at whether further study offers a good return on investment.

Imagine finding out on your 61st birthday that you’re heading back to school! That’s exactly what happened to Online Courses Australia student Beverley – she’s a testament to the fact that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.

School holidays are on the horizon but if you\'re in your senior years then chances are you won\'t want to waste away all your time on sun and sand. You can relax and revise at the same time with this Scout-inspired summer survival guide.

If your time at university is drawing to an end and you’re worried about your chances of finding employment, applying for a summer vacation program could help you secure the job of your dreams at the end of your study.

Transitioning from study to full-time work can be hard, so here are our top tips on how to make the shift as seamless as possible.

Today’s fast-paced and bustling world requires the modern worker to become a jack-of-all-trades.

What do you want to get out of further study: Employment prospects? A good salary? Job satisfaction? Marni looks past the hype to help you find all three.

While opening envelopes, getting coffees, photocopying endless documents and doing other mundane jobs – all for no or minimal pay – may seem like a fast track to nowhere, just remember that even the most successful people have been there.

Whether you do it to advance in your chosen field, jump in at a higher level, change to a completely different career, or just out of sheer interest and passion, postgraduate studies can be a more than worthwhile pursuit.

Think you\'re too old to go back to uni? Think again. Anne tells us why she decided it was time to go back to the books at the age of 50.

Confused about internships and how they work, and whether they’re even worth doing? Jo sheds some light on this confusing topic.

It\'s Agquip this week so what better time to take a look at online study options for regional residents!

What is an MBA? What is the definition of an MBA? What will the MBA do for me? Have some of these questions been kicking around in your mind? If so, look no further, we’ll demystify exactly what those mysterious sounding MBA\'s are.

For many young adults, choosing which direction to take after high school can feel like an insurmountable task. We take a look at some steps that you can take to ensure you’re headed in the right direction.

Every year, Year 12 students around Australia sit their final year exams. Here are some tips, not for studying, but for coping with all the other baggage that exam time brings.

Taking a year off after school to embark on an international escapade is a fantastic way to throw off the cobwebs before leaping into a career or more study. A gap year is a fantastic way to gain maturity, experience and independence.

What’s your contingency plan? Rather than burying your head in the sand, consider the many alternatives to the traditional university pathway.

With its high standards of education and living, and eight of the world’s top 100 universities, Australia is becoming an increasingly sought-after destination for international students. There are many scholarships available to international students.

Australia has a reputation for delivering high-quality education and training, and welcomes international students to its shores. If you are an international student wishing to study within Australia, you will need to apply for a student visa.

We\'ve come a long way since the sepia-toned sixties, but landing your first job can seem as challenging as ever. Follow these simple steps, and you\'re bound to get off to a good start.

\'Exchanges are amazing and fun. You get a lot of time to do other things such as travelling, but it also gives you time to reflect on your life and learn things about yourself you wouldn\'t have otherwise known.\'

\'Australian food is too full of oil! There are no spicy foods in Australia, which was hard to adapt to. And Vegemite? It’s not food at all!\'

School’s out for summer – almost. Here are a few reasons why taking a gap year can be a very good idea.

You\'re a uni student or new graduate and you\'ve got the education, but what can you do get your career off the ground when you don\'t have any work experience? Go online, and start networking!

Mid-year entry is currently open. If you’ve been debating whether or not to get back to the books, then this could the subtle nudge you’ve been waiting for.

Recently enrolled in an online course or considering studying online? Check out our top tips on how to keep motivated, juggle your time and achieve success with your studies.

Higher ed is about learning – and eventually getting a job. If you balance your partying with studying and some extracurricular activities to boost your employment potential, you’ll be in good stead for a brilliant career by the time you graduate.

11 brilliant apps for students to help keep study sessions on track, productivity high, prioritise health and wellness plus stick to a tight student budget. Don't miss these apps!

Need to work on your study skills? Want help out of your study rut? Check out our article loaded with actionable ideas and tips for enjoying and mastering your studies.

When the weekly pocket money doled out by mum and dad no longer covers the cost of the essentials of life, the time will come to leave the simple life of unshackled freedom and join the rank and file of the paid workforce.

Studies have shown that chronic procrastination is associated with lower pay, unemployment, higher stress, reduced life satisfaction and lack of a partnership - true story. Here\'s how you can finally stop procrastinating - we have the science to prove it.

There are a lot of myths out there about online education. We’ve busted 10 so you can see why online study might be for you.

\'I was tired of living in Luxembourg, sick of my job and I needed a break.\'

Even if it\'s just a part-time job while you\'re studying, you can use retail experience to develop new skills, give your resume substance, and demonstrate to future employers that you have initiative and a healthy work ethic.

The problem: You’re a stressed-out student with a looming essay deadline and no time to write it. The answer: Paying some anonymous writer from your pick of essay mills to do it for you. Let’s take a look at the murky but not exactly illegal (yet) world of essay mills in Australia. 

Australia is a popular destination for international students because of its location and the variety of courses and qualifications an Australian education offers, as well as its cultural diversity.

Many tourists, students and migrants are drawn to the diverse and welcoming culture of Australia – a product of a rich, multicultural society. In order to adapt to this diverse society, you will need to be aware of some of the social values and customs.

Speaking the native language can help make the transition to live, study or work in a different country smooth and easy. There are many English testing systems that are used to rate your level of proficiency. Some of these tests can be completed online.

From criminology and sport studies to mathematics and music, we take a look at 10 majors from The University of Queensland you might not have considered for your arts degree.

Long considered the domain of the mature-age or postgraduate student, distance education has often been regarded as plan B when it comes to gaining a tertiary education.

Trend-spotters have deemed 2015 the year of \'self-improvement\', so what\'s your master plan? The good news is that with single-unit study you don\'t actually need one to get started.

Australia may see the creation of up to 9.3 million new jobs over the next 15 years, according to projections set out by Skills Australia in a recent report.

Even if you’re a model student with a flawless record of high distinctions, good grades alone won’t be enough to attract the attention of employers when you’re looking for a job.

Flexibility and an improved work/life balance are just two of the reasons why online study is a smart choice. We take a look at why online study is fast becoming students\' go-to for further education.

Getting involved in work experience during your last years of high school can be a good way to test-drive careers. Sampling a few jobs will help you decide what you may, or may not, want to do when you jump into the workplace for real.

After thirteen years of playground politics, study and discipline, the time has come to put your pen down in the final exam and stare down the barrel at the rest of your life. It’s scary, exhilarating and very confusing.

Studying by distance isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But for 44 year-old education student Sylvia Taylor, it provided an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong wish to become a teacher.

Also called dual, combined or joint degrees, these university programs allow you to study two degrees at once, and are most commonly completed in a shorter time than it would take to complete them one after the other.

If you\'re in Year 9 or 10 you\'re probably looking forward to getting your exams out of the way and heading off for the long summer holidays. But before you start daydreaming about the beach, take a moment to think about this: your future!

Did you blink and realise that you’re almost at the end of the year? Got more hangovers than HDs? It’s not too late to turn it around and finish the uni year on a high.

Looking to squeeze more into your day? Here are six tips to up your productivity game, all backed by science!

MOOCs – chances are you’re either pumped about the possibilities or wondering what all the fuss is about. But do they live up to the hype and how do they compare to other online courses?

To get your foot in the door you often need one important thing: a formal tertiary qualification.

So you didn’t get into uni … but is TAFE a good option? Jo offers her advice.

There’s a common perception that arts degrees do not make for strong career prospects. Nothing could be further from the truth! As a well-rounded graduate, the world is your oyster.

With so many postgraduate course options out there, how do you know whether getting an MBA is the right career move? If you’re considering an MBA, ask yourself the following questions.

Choosing between course programs is hard, and you\'ve got a lot of things to weigh up. Careers advisor Jo Messer helps you decide which course is best for you.

Whether you are exploring new opportunities or brushing up on old skills, distance education and flexible learning courses can be a great way to advance your knowledge and career opportunities.

Studying is an investment of your time and money. So when it comes to picking the right course for you, make sure you do your homework! Here\'s our how-to-guide on choosing the perfect course.

Finding the right course to commit to can be tough. Are you after a short course that ignites your passions or are you in it for the long haul and want a course that offers your career security? Find out how to find \'the one\' with these simple steps.

In an increasingly competitive labour market and one where higher educational qualifications are becoming the norm, it’s important for aspiring executives to set themselves apart from the rest of the pack.

Choosing a course can be difficult so we’ve done some of the research for you with our top picks for your study area. Here’s what we think are the best Australian education/teaching courses on offer.

TAFE is currently assessing how it’s seen in the community through the initiative, ‘Let’s talk about TAFE’. We decided to look at the history of TAFE NSW to find out where it all started.

What happens when you combine the convenience of online study with the face-to-face interaction of a classroom environment? Blended learning.

There's no reason to give up on your dreams because of formalities. Pre-requisites are sometimes necessary, but they should't be the hill you'll die on. Doing what you love is very much an attainable goal and we mapped out the path to sucess for you.

Distance education is increasingly becoming the go-to for time-poor celebs like Justin Bieber and James Franco. Find out what all of the fuss is about.

If the word ‘study’ prompts memories of boring lectures and awkward tutorials then you’re not alone – but you are out of date. Study has changed rapidly over the last two decades and Marni investigates the major developments.

Everything you need to know about the Australian government's HECS-HELP loan scheme.

To uni, or not to uni? That is the question. Thankfully, Jo has all the answers.

Making the decision to study an MBA should not be taken lightly, it requires a good amount of time, effort and money, so to help ensure you choose the right MBA we\'ve put together a little checklist.

Unpaid internships are fast becoming commonplace, but should we really be so willing to offer our labour for free? Molly finds out how to identify if your internship has crossed the line from experience to exploitation.

Didn’t go to uni? Don’t have a degree? Don’t let that hold you back. Vivien takes a closer look at 10 career paths that will have you swimming in dough, not drowning in HECS debt.

Wondering whether it is more important for you to get some work experience behind you or build your qualifications? We are here to help you weigh up your options to decide what is best for you.

Conventional wisdom says, Do what you love and the money will follow. But what if you still don’t know what you want to be \'when you grow up?’ Here are some unique ways to discover your passion and uncover what you really want to do with your life.

Ever get the feeling that life and opportunities are passing you by? If this sounds like you, it may be time to take action.

Fruit-picking is the backpacker’s rite of passage. It’s hard, sweaty work and is not highly paid, but under the right circumstances it can be a fun and quintessential part of the Australian working holiday experience.

If you’re considering working in mining, agriculture, resources or civil infrastructure, there is a new training program being developed to qualify and prepare you for the workforce.