Talissa Bolitho

Third year, Bachelor of Criminology
Geelong Waterfront Campus

I am originally from Echuca, Victoria, a long 3.5-hour drive and found the move a big change. I was extremely home sick and would often call home upset. I was lucky to be living with my partner, and he was my support. It was also expensive, and I am glad I now have scholarships to assist paying for living expenses.
 
My first day of university was extremely different to that of high school. I came straight to uni after year 12, and found the independence required very hard. There was this whole new Campus, with rooms that I couldn’t find, books I had to buy, classes to attend and not mention no friends to help me. Over time, I learnt my lecturers were always willing to provide me with guidance on anything I was confused on, yet they would never ‘spoon-feed’ me the information, which I experienced a lot in high school.

My main challenge when I moved was to make friends. I was extremely shy and nervous being in such a new place, but I pulled up all my nerves and started talking to people. I soon had people I could talk to in every class and even outside of uni. I became a Student Ambassador, a Student Host and for 2011, I will be a Host Coordinator at the Geelong Waterfront Campus. These positions have allowed me to meet so many new people and I’ve made heaps of new friends.

The best part about studying at Deakin is the wide range of study options you have. One trimester you can be a full-time on-campus student and the next a part-time, off-campus student. Deakin provides such great flexibility; it has allowed me to fast track my degree using the trimester system.

As a new student, my best bit of advice is to balance your life. Between work, university and your social life, it can be very easy to let your studies slide. At the start of the year, organise your whole trimester. Know when assignments are due, try to get specific hours at your part-time job, and know when all the big events will be held. Doing this will help keep you on track for the trimester, I know it helped me!