Mark Hamilton

Third year, Bachelor of Arts (Professional and Creative Writing)
Melbourne Burwood Campus

I was overwhelmed when I started university. Coming straight out of high school it was challenging to adjust to the way the university functioned, but the friendly and approachable tutors and lecturers all helped in making the transition as easy as possible.

In 2011 I will be in my third and final year, and as well as my regular class schedule, I am also a part of the Verandah editing team. Verandah is an initiative that involves a group of third-year student editors publishing a book from scratch, and is a great resource for writing students to learn how the industry operates. I’m really looking forward to getting started on my studies next year, as well as getting to know the other student editors a lot better.
The most rewarding thing about studying at Deakin is the dedication to helping students succeed in their studies. If it’s not workshops or extra tutorials, the tutors and lecturers are happy to answer your questions, read essay drafts and generally advise you on what to do with any problem in your student life.

My advice for studying at Deakin is to not be afraid in putting yourself out there; talk to the person sitting next to you in class, ask your tutor questions and put your opinions into the discussion. By doing this you’ll feel more confident in class, gain a better grasp of the study material and make some friends too.