For many people here in Oz (and other parts of the world, I imagine) it’s that awful time of year. The time when it’s finally time to vacuum the sand out of your car’s upholstery, when it’s time to shovel the months of street press from your bedroom floor and when it’s certainly time to break the habit of curling up for a nanna nap most afternoons. That’s right kittens, uni is going back!

If you needed more proof that I am, in fact, a little bit strange, I’ve decided to go back to uni this year for a double undergraduate degree… after having graduated with my first undergrad degree just a couple of years ago. Yeah, I just really love studying. I love learning stuff, I love buying text books, I love writing assignments and doing exams, I’m just mad for it all. Having spent a lot of time at uni already and going back for another round now, I reckon I am pretty well qualified to give you a bit of a How To guide. Whether you are just starting university for the first time, or going back after some time in the real world, this is gonna help!

Part One: What to wear

The best part of the first few weeks of uni is spotting the “first years”. They are normally kids who are fresh out of high school and thrust into the big, wide world of adults and self management and choices! Faced with the prospect of delicious freedom and other adults to mingle with, they tend to look like they should be lining up outside a nightclub or trying to be picked by a street style photog.  Of course, there is nothing wrong with putting some effort into how you look, but consider a couple of guidelines.

1. You are still you, first and foremost. If you never wear heels, then don’t wear them to your first day of classes. Similarly, if you’re not comfortable wearing just jeans and a tee when you’re out and about then don’t do it. I know it’s pretty easy to forget, especially in the first few weeks, but you’re actually showing up to learn stuff. It’s heaps easier to retain knowledge and concentrate when you aren’t worried about twisting your ankle or feeling uncomfortable in a shirt without a collar. Don’t try and dress to look older, don’t try and dress to look younger, just wear what makes you feel happy and comfortable. Don’t try too hard, just be you and you will look fabulous!
2. Hygiene is great! For all those people who go to way too much trouble, there are also a few who tend to go for the opposite approach. Uni is not the place to wear slippers or pyjamas. No, not even when you are just running to the library. Nope, not even to just drop in an assignment. People do judge you and academics are people to.  When a lecturer is grading my work, I don’t want them to recall that time I ran into them wearing an old, food-stained t-shirt and crazy bed hair. Just something to think about, don’t you think? Taking the time to jump in the shower, de-fuzz your teeth and picking something clean out of the floordrobe before you show up for class shows that you can put in a little effort and take things a bit seriously. People like to know that.
3. Dress for your course. This might be really obvious, but I have studied a few things in my time and some people just don’t get it. If you are going to study education and are required to do a bunch of stuff that involves sitting on a chair in front of people who are` seated on the floor or leaning over people to help them with work, maybe don’t choose something that your rack hangs out of or a skirt that doesn’t cover your lady garden. If you do something physical, don’t wear tight, stiff jeans you can’t crouch down in. Work with paint or art materials? Then dry-clean only silk might not be your wisest choice. Right? I know it sounds obvious, but it really does escape some people.

So, there you have it. You’re ready to face your first day! Don’t forget a notebook and pen at the very least. If you take a spare pen, you might just make your first friend! I know lots of people who met friends this way, so it’s a good tip Remember that everyone else is in the same boat. It’s a little bit awkward to mill around not really knowing anyone, but chances are very few other people know anyone either. Compliment someone on their glasses, ask someone else if they are also waiting for the same class you are. The worst they can do is blow you off and at best, you might have some peeps to chill with next time you have class!

Stay tuned next week and I’ll navigate you through the treacherous seas of clubs and societies. Get this wrong and you might miss out on knowing a bunch of cool people, get it right and you might find an untapped pool of awesome dudes just waiting for someone like you! You’ll want to know this stuff, trust me!