I’m Going To Uni! And you guys gave me some advice!

Read more advice on Cortney’s blog here.

Little life update, guys, I’m officially off to uni this year – again.

To recap super quick:

In 2019, fresh out of year 12, I started a uni course because it was the only thing I’d ever imagined doing. Not the course, but uni. That was just the way of things, or that I knew.

It was a communications course at a city uni- it was very inflexible and difficult for me to travel to. I started off there hating it before it had even began.

I gave it a solid week, before I cried on the phone to my mum in the middle of Bourke St Mall and said ‘I can’t do this.’

So I deferred for a year and worked, hoping time would help me figure out what I actually wanted to do.

Spoiler: I still haven’t figured that out. All I know is I certainly don’t want to go back to that course.

I’ve applied for A LOT of jobs in the beauty industry, but I’m young and have little experience nor expertise and so that avenue did not seem feasible.

VTAC (how you apply to uni if you’re not applying directly) preferences opened and I contemplated what I would do.

Out of the blue, I saw a brand new Speech Pathology course at a uni close-ish to me.

I had always had an interest in speech, but in year 12, 2 universities offered it and they were both far from me and I wasn’t willing to travel.

So the closer uni offering the course was ticking all the boxes for me!

Mid January I was accepted and I’m due to start late February. I’m apprehensive- I still don’t know if it’s what I realllly want to do, I’m scared of the science-y components AND my life is about to get a heck of a lot busier. BUT! I’m trying to be excited!

One of my blogging besties, Cortney, has just graduated from her journalism degree and we’ve collaborated on this ‘uni series’ post – read about Cortney’s uni experience and her advice for new students- like me, HERE.

Cortney and some of my other Instagram faves have generously shared their uni tips and tricks with me and I’m so excited to share them all with you below.

@makeupwithcortney, recent journalism graduate

My advice would be to not sweat the small stuff – embrace the environment and if you fail something it’ll be okay! It’s not worth the stress. (And also don’t buy textbooks 🙊 the library is your friend!)

@sensitiveskingal, third year biomedicine student

1) try to immerse yourself in as many events as possible, and talk to everyone in class – some of my best friends are friends I made at uni, who were only in my class for a semester!

2) rest! no one can prepare you for uni, prioritise your health because you literally won’t even realise yourself burning out until you’ve literally burnt yourself out!

3) uni lunches cost an arm and a leg – scope out cafes and restaurants nearby or on campus that are a little out of reach because chances are, they’ll be cheaper!

@beautyflatlay, recent pharmacy graduate

Don’t be afraid to make new friends! – everyone’s in the same boat and it’s so fun meeting new people! Surround yourself with positive people ☺️

@theeditbycaylie, third year Arts student

1. Don’t let people get into your head. Meaning, ignore any negative comments or doubt from others about your decision to study. You know your capabilities better than anyone. 
2. Some teachers can be quite rude. Don’t take their feedback as gospel and if it’s rude and not constructive – pull them up on it! 

@beautystyletravelblog, Bachelor of Science (major is microbiology and minor in ancient history). Currently works in Environmental Protection.

Hmmm I had a real love/hate with uni tbh. I found it quite isolating to begin with and wish I had gone to more of the social things on campus. Possibly the best piece of advice I might be able to give is follow the subjects that really interest you, even if that sets you on a completely different path to what you initially thought you wanted to study. I started at one uni where I was determined to get a degree in Molecular Biotechnology and hated every minute of it. I ended up changing unis and didn’t decide on a major until the end of my 2nd year when I found my passion in Microbiology (never in my mind did I think I’d end up graduating with that!!). It has led me to an incredibly interesting and varied career!

@beautywith_lauren, psychology graduate

The first year is always very theoretical and gives you the history of your career path. Don’t base your feelings of the degree based on first year.

@daisy_chain_daydreams, second year media student

1. Join a club. I know this sounds cliché, but it really is a great way to meet people, and even if you don’t become close friends, it’s nice to have some familiar faces around campus. I know stepping it of ones comfort zone isn’t the best feeling initially, but if I can do it, you can too lovelies, hehe! Plus, they’re usually fun activities! 

2. Try and go to your lectures when possible. It’s really easy (and convenient) to just do them all online, but getting dressed in the morning and going into your lectures is more fun and good for socialising too. When I did watch the occasional lecture online, I found them so boring to listen to, and often got distracted looking at other things when I should have been concentrating (oops!). Plus, it’s great to know at least a handful of people from your lectures because when you attend your tutorials and labs for the same units, you’ll know people, and it makes it a lot easier when it’s group project time too. 

3. Pack lots of snacks and food. Okay so this one might sound a bit like a ‘no brainer’, but honestly, you’ll be surprised how hungry you get on campus (or maybe it’s just me haha!) but #brainfood, right? And it will also save you more money, because buying little snacks and drinks from the uni cafes occasionally is lovely, but it adds up over the semester (trust me, I know 🙊). I’m also going to try and do more ‘meal prep’ this year with my uni lunches, fingers crossed haha! 

Follow along on IG @rolly.mag>>> https://www.instagram.com/rolly.mag/

Love a bargain? Me too! Find a bargain in my Discount Directory >>> https://rollymag.home.blog/rolly-mags-discount-directory/

And say hello via email >>>

hellorollymag@gmail.com

I am so excited to share today’s post with you!

One of my brilliant and creative internet bffs, Cortney, suggested we do a collab post and of course, I said yes!

So here we are. Two posts on the same topic; what’s in my handbag.

You can read Cortney’s post here.

And follow her on IG here.

My current handbag is from Peta and Jain, and I picked it up for the absolute bargain price of $30 from TK Maxx.

You can see the whole range from Peta and Jain here.

Let’s dive in!

Thank You Hand Sanitiser:

This smells like grapefruit and the spray application is really convenient- so good! I also have the lemon scent that I keep in my tote bag for work.

Chapstick lip balm:

Would it be my handbag with a lip balm? Despite my obsession, I only have a few lip balms in my bag at any time. Usually a balm like this, and then either a tinted balm or a lipstick/gloss.

Maarks Lip in Bare:

This is my current handbag lip stick of choice. Perfect for everyday wear if I just lightly blot it on.

Kmart Purse:

This is a new addition to my bag, and it’s only $3 you guys! And it comes in a few cute colours.

I actually have a bigger purse from Kikki K that fits very comfortably in this bag but wanted to try something different with this one. I thinks convenient to be hung on your keys too!

Mostly contains my bank card, Priceline card and drivers license hahah.

Natura Maga Solid Perfume:

Love having this perfume for sweet-smelling top ups throughout the day. The balm application gives me peace of mind that it won’t leak in my bag (that’s my biggest fear!!)

Phone:

Basically just wanted an excuse to show off my cute phone case! Use code 15AUG for 15% off at Olivia & Co. But yes, my phone is always with me, usually for snapping bargains I find or listening to music (enter: headphones!)

Scrunchie:

Usually I have one in my hair, one in bag and one on my wrist. And a heckofalot of bobby pins! What are your handbag essentials? Let me know in the comments!

Follow along on IG @rolly.mag >>> https://www.instagram.com/rolly.mag/

And say hello via email >>>

hellorollymag@gmail.com