Elizabeth Bakker

Third year, Bachelor of Nursing
Warrnambool Campus

University life can be challenging to adjust to. It is different to anything else I had ever done in my life. I took a year off after school to earn some money and to ‘grow up’ a little bit, something that I now look back on and am really glad I did. While I enjoyed my year off, I was really looking forward to starting at uni, getting back to study and I was also looking forward to the social side of life that university can bring.

Orientation at Deakin is a really important introduction to university and a great program for students to take part in. I highly recommend all students take part and get involved in Orientation, as you will meet so many new people, and not just those who are doing the same course as you. And some of these people will be friends for life. As well as the traditional Orientation activities, you will also have the opportunity to sign up for so many different clubs and groups that are part of Deakin.

Orientation helped me overcome any nerves or fears I had relating to commencing my studies, and before long I knew my way around the Campus and had friends I knew I would have for life. At the end of my first year I was asked to be involved in the Host Program. This runs at the start of each year and gives students a chance to meet other people in their course, have tours of the University, and get any questions answered. I really enjoyed taking part in this program and helping out, and plan on doing it again this year.
Last year I was also asked to be involved in the Peer Tutoring program, where I tutored first-year students in subjects that I had previously done well in. I really enjoyed having this opportunity as it gave me a chance to improve myself in a lot of areas, help out some of my peers, and also get paid while doing it!

If I could give one piece of advice to new students starting out, it would be to get involved! Starting out at university can be pretty daunting for most people, but if you get involved and take part in some activities, I promise you that it will make your time so much easier and much more enjoyable. If you are a little unsure about doing something or joining something, please take the leap and just go for it, you’ll be glad you did.