Paresh is an International student from Malaysia who has just arrived in Australia to start his degree in information technology. He has never lived on his own but is now expected to know how to find accommodation, budget, cook and clean, and to study.  Paresh feels very lonely in Australia, he misses his friends and is experiencing culture shock. 

Amanda is a local student who is starting university as a mature age student.  Due to the financial strain she has had to make sacrifices regarding her accommodation and also her way of life.  She finds it difficult to juggle paid work and studying, and quite often she neglects her health as she aims to keep abreast financially.  She also feels lonely while on campus as most of her friends are in the workforce.

Living a student lifestyle can be very tricky.  For some students it may be their first experience living independently away from home, and there are many changes to think about in this new stage of life, including:

• Finances (rent, utilities, the cost of textbooks and labs, the cost of socialising, transport costs, food)
• Study-life balance (studying, socialising, working)
• Your health (sleep, exercise, relaxation, nutrition, sexual health)
• Relationships (with friends, other students on group assignments, romantic relationships, relationships with family).
• Culture shock – which may exist for some International Students.

Below are some resources that may come in handy for navigating student life:

Information

Student Life in General

International Student Services @ UNSW
Learn more about what goes on at UNSW to help International Students manage their time here at the university.  They can provide assistance with difficult situations and decisions, problems with flatmates and accommodations, health and illness, dealing with university and outside organisations, cultural issues and communication, as well as money and visa matters.

The Australian National University International Education Office
Information on culture shock and what you can do to manage it.

Reach Out!
Contains information on topics such as leaving home, looking for work, managing money issues in a share house, peer pressure, applying for jobs and interview skills.

Adjusting to UNSW after High School
Contains information about making the transition into University, outlining the differences between high-school and uni, how to prepare for the first few weeks and discussing expectations of students.

Study/Life Balance

Fit for study: Running the mental marathon
Contains information on preparing your body and mind for the university semester.

Reach Out!
Has information on moving away to attend university, starting university or TAFE, managing expectations, and also tips for exam preparation.

Your Health

UNSW Lifestyle Centre
Locally-based, the UNSW Lifestyle Centre offers a holistic approach to help you achieve your health and exercise goals.  Facilities include a swimming pool, squash court, tennis court, and a weights room.  You can also see a nutritionist or exercise physiologist to help you kickstart your healthy lifestyle.

Better Health Channel
Contains useful tips on how to get a good night of sleep.

ABC Health and Wellbeing
Provides information on why exercise is important to health and wellbeing, what types of exercise there are, and the benefits of exercising.

Student cooking
This website provides useful tips on how to eat healthily on a student budget.  Don’t know how to cook?  This website has a how to guide on cooking chicken, fish, beef, potatoes, pasta, rice, and vegetables.  No time to cook?  This website has meal ideas that take as little as 10 minutes.  It even contains a section on meals for special occasions.

Better Health Channel
Provides information on nutritional advice and cooking tips.

Family Planning NSW
Information and links about sexual health including contraception and protecting yourself against sexually transmitted infections/diseases (STIs/STDs).

www.whytest.org
Information on sexual health and sexually transmitted infections, including resources such as fact sheets and listings of sexual health clinics.

Finances

Fido
Great website with tips on saving and making money, how to protect yourself from scams, superannuation information as well as a quiz so you can test how financially savvy you are as a university student. CLICK HERE for an additional info sheet!

Benevolent Society
You may be eligible to qualify for up to $1000 to help with educational costs.

The University of Melbourne, Student Financial Aid
Provides handy tips on keeping track of your money, ways to cut costs, as well as information on tax.

University of Western Sydney
Includes a budget spreadsheet for students, as well as tips for saving money on food, entertainment, shopping, travel, computers, and mobile phones.

Relationships

For information on communication and relationships, click here

Self-Help Books

Becoming a Master Student by David Ellis
A complete guide for students at university including techniques to improve your memory, time management, taking notes, preparing for exams, relationships and study, health, money and how to use resources available to you.

Doctorates Down Under edited by Carey Denholm & Terry Evans

Essay writing for Students: A practical guide by John Clanchy & Brigid Ballard
A practical step-by-step guide to writing essays, that offers a systematic approach for choosing a topic, researching, note taking, planning, drafting, editing and writing in exams.

How to Pass Exams by Fred Orr

How to succeed at part time study by Fred Orr
A complete guide to overcoming the difficulties of studying part time when work, relationships and home life are taken into consideration. Includes case-studies and various hints on how to minimise wasting time, dealing with procrastination, preparing for exams, 

Study skills for successful students by Fred Orr

How to succeed at work by Fred Orr

Returning to learning? Studying as an adult: Tips, traps, & triumph by Caroline Brem

Student study guide: A manual for International students by Irene Goldwasser

The First Year Experience by Ann Game & Andrew Metcalfe
A practical guide on coming to university and overcoming the problems that all students face such as assessments, procrastination, writing, managing time and enjoying yourself. Contains comments from real first year students and their experiences.

Uni is easier when you know how by Penny Shores & Kitty Vivekanada
A guide for students featuring real life experiences that students face at university, and ways to overcome issues succesfully. Topics cover a range of areas including communication, finding a balance, studying, prioritising and dealing with unexpected events.

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