Things to Do While Waiting to Start Your University Degree
You completed high school in June, and you’re applying to an Australian university, but your studies don’t start until February or March. How should you spend the time waiting to start your degree?
Based on years of advice from OzTREKK students, here are some of the things you can do that won’t just kill time but will also help you prepare for your academic adventure Down Under!
Take Required Tests and Prep for Interviews
If you’ve applied to a program that requires a test and/or interview, May (or earlier) through September might be filled with test and interview prep!
Students applying to some undergraduate-entry medical programs will need to write the International School Admission Test (ISAT) in May. Many undergraduate-entry dental school applicants prefer to sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in July or August, so they can maximize their study time.
If you’re applying to a program that has an interview or the Casper, you’ll typically complete this requirement between June and September; however, your prep should start long before that. Research the interview structure, what questions might be asked, learn about the university and program you’re applying to, and get lots of practice!
Volunteer or Shadow
Whether it’s part-time or full-time, this is prime time to get some hands-on experience and/or to save some money. While this work won’t be graded or directly count towards your degree, this time and experience will allow you to build knowledge, skills, and networks to help you succeed in your studies and your career.
Make a list of businesses or clinics in your location and reach out to them. Tell them a bit about yourself and why you’re interested in volunteering with or shadowing them, and you might be pleasantly surprised by the opportunities that arise!
Work
Similar to volunteering or shadowing, if you can get hands-on experience while also being paid to work in your field, that’s great! Or if you just want to build your financial savings while you have the time and you can’t find something in your field, that’s good too. Even jobs outside of your field can provide not only money, but also opportunities to build skills, knowledge, and valuable networks. (FYI: You can work part-time while your studying in Australia!)
Brush-up on Your Knowledge
While undergraduate-entry programs don’t expect you to have existing knowledge about your topic of study (beyond high school prerequisite courses), getting a head-start can make your degree a bit less stressful.
When we ask medicine, dentistry, and rehabilitation science students for their best advice for future students, many say to brush up on core concepts and knowledge, like anatomy, histology, and physiology.
As one University of Notre Dame Australia medicine student said in relation to studying core concepts or knowledge in advance, “It might save you some stress when you get here.”
Once you’re in your program, you’ll be expected to stay on top of pre-work and studying, so having good foundational knowledge is a great way to start out on the right track.
Bonus: Here are some of the top online resources our health science students use to study! Anatomy Bootcamp, The Noted Anatomist, and Anki.
Find Your Study Method
Many students say one of the biggest challenges they face when starting their degree is figuring out what study method works best for them. A James Cook University medicine student summed it by saying, “Studying efficiently is better than studying for ten-plus hours a day!”
Some students find certain styles of notetaking or mind mapping and review helpful, while others prefer flash cards. Some people like to study on their own, while many of our students recommend forming study groups.
Before you get into the nitty gritty of content while you’re in Australia, take your time to learn about different study methods and think about what might work for you. Even better, try them out with the core concepts and knowledge you might want to study for the program anyway.
Predeparture Work
One of the top reasons students love OzTREKK is because of our comprehensive predeparture program. We’ll provide plenty of information about your university, accommodation options, financing, student visas, health exams, and more. Take the time to absorb all of that info and complete required tasks.
Don’t take our word for it though! Here are just some of the tips current students provided in relation to things you should do before you go to Australia:
“Give yourself some time for the big move. Plan your finances and budget ahead of time.” (University of Melbourne, dentistry)
“Get a head start on plans to travel to Aus sooner because it can be stressful and hectic if waiting until the last minute.” (Griffith University, medicine)
“Have as much of the administrative work done before you arrive in Aus! You will be very busy once you arrive.” (Bond University, physiotherapy)
“Know about health-related obligations to attain compliance to enter [simulation] clinic, some of [these obligations] can be completed in Canada to save money.” (Charles Sturt University, dentistry)
Research clubs, teams, and events at your university so you’re ready to jump in when you arrive in Australia! “There are heaps of program-specific clubs and societies—everything from medical student music society, surgical society, women in help, psych society, etc.” (Flinders University, medicine)
“Try reaching out to other international students for advice (about public transport, what the major grocery stores are, and which residence buildings are better than others). You could also try to reach out to people in the program before the course begins.” (University of Melbourne, dentistry)
The more you learn and do before you get on a plane, the better!
Arrive Early
You’re going across the world to learn, but you should also enjoy the adventure of being there! Give yourself time to explore, figure out the transit systems, buy anything you need, meet new people, and get settled.
As one University of Western Australia dental student says, “be prepared to adapt quickly as there is limited time and the course gets going quickly.”
Having a bit of time to adjust to your new home-away-from-home will make the start of your degree that much easier!
Feeling Busy?
Are you still wondering how you’ll spend the months between finishing high school and the start of your degree? We bet your to-do list is pretty full now!
While these tasks are optional, there’s a reason why so many students provide this advice to future students. It’s all about making sure you’re ready to go to Australia and make the most of this incredible adventure.
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