It’s no secret that Bond is a unique and busy place to study. With a new routine, endless events and a bunch of new classes to manage, it can sometimes feel impossible to know how to spend your time. It’s completely normal to be overwhelmed by all these experiences and possibilities, especially in your first semester at university.
Thankfully, you’re not doing this alone – thousands of Bondies have stood right where you are. If you’re wondering how you should spend your time when you arrive at Bond, we’ve rounded up six key things to try and accomplish during your first semester.
1. Build relationships
Bond is well-known for its small, tight-knit community. This is undoubtedly of the main reasons that students choose to study here. The first thing you should do as a shiny new Bondy is to build relationships with other members of the Bond community.
We know… sometimes this is easier said than done. The first step towards meeting new people and making friends is acknowledging that, unfortunately, sometimes you’re going to have to be the brave one who speaks first.
Luckily, Bond’s community of staff and students are incredibly friendly and always down for a chat. In your classes, try to strike up a conversation with the person sitting next to you. Your subject might bring you together, especially if you’re studying the same degree or have similar career interests.
The same goes for Lakeside and the cafes around campus. If you see someone you recognise waiting in line for their food, chat with them about what they’re having for lunch, the social event you saw them at, or the mutual friend you share. Even if you don’t become best friends for life, you’re still building your network, slowly but surely. If you can learn how to do this in your first semester, it’s safe to say that you’ll survive the rest of your time at university.
2. Try a new activity
Student experience is at the core of everything we do here at Bond. As a result, Bond offers a diverse range of clubs and societies to cater to practically everyone’s interests. All students clubs on campus fall into one of these broad categories: social, cultural, sports, community, religious, arts, or educational.
Here are just a few of the clubs and activities you might want to check out in your first semester as a Bondy:
- Bond University Netball Club’s Social Netball Competition
- Bond University Touch Club’s Social Touch Competition
- Bond Music Club
- Bond University Community Outreach Group (BUCOG)
- Bond University Environment Club
- 180 Degrees Consulting
- Your faculty student association (Law Students’ Association, Business Students’ Association, Health Sciences and Medicine Students’ Association and Society and Design Students’ Association)
3. Go to Wednesday by the Water
When you’re trying to juggle university study with a social life, part-time work and any other hobbies you manage to fit into your schedule, remembering the basics is easier said than done. Ask almost any Bondy if they’ve ever left their lunch at home, and you’re sure to be met with a resounding yes.
No need to fear! Enter Wednesday by the Water. Wednesday by the Water (WBTW) is a Bond University Student Association (BUSA) initiative that provides free lunch to all students every Wednesday during the semester. They normally offer a sausage sizzle as well as beef, vegetarian and vegan burger patties to cater to everyone. Heading down to WBTW is a great way to get to know BUSA, the over-arching student association here at Bond, as well as some of your fellow Bondies.
Of course, this is only on Wednesdays, so be sure to remember your lunch every other day of the week!
4. Book an appointment with the Academic Skills Centre
Starting university presents new academic challenges for every student. Bondies are incredibly fortunate to have access to the Academic Skills Centre, a service that is solely dedicated to improving their academic success. The Academic Skills Centre team are highly qualified professionals that can offer personalised help, one-on-one sessions, small group workshops and online resources to help you with your learning. These staff have helped hundreds of students improve their academic writing, proofread assignments, correctly reference and much more, and the best part? It’s completely free!
The Academic Skills Centre serves to help all Bondies, regardless of your background or where you’re at in your study journey. In your first semester at Bond, take the time to book an appointment with the Academic Skills Centre and create a plan to stay on top of your studies. Establishing consistent study habits in your first semester will benefit you for the rest of your university life and beyond.
5. Attend your classes
Let’s face it – no university student attends every single class of their degree. If you’re reading this and you did, then kudos to you. Colour us impressed!
In your first semester at Bond, it can be easy to get swept up by the never-ending social activities and extracurricular opportunities. While we encourage you to take full advantage of Bond’s study-life balance, don’t do this at the expense of your classes. Future you will be so grateful that you invested in your university education early on, and learned important foundational concepts from the get-go. You’ll find that when you’re trying to tackle the big stuff later on, it’s ten times easier because of all the knowledge you’ve already built – knowledge you wouldn’t have if you’d have skipped class!
6. Be yourself
For most people, university signifies a brand-new chapter of life. It’s a chance to start working towards your dream career, to make new friends, discover hidden passions and learn skills for life. As cliché as it sounds, the most important thing to do in your first semester at Bond is to be true to yourself.
The Bond community is so diverse, and this is something every Bondy cherishes. It wouldn’t be what it is without the authenticity our people bring from the get-go. Every single person at Bond is valued and appreciated for who they are, regardless of their background, race, sexuality or gender. When you start at Bond, the most important thing of all is to be the most authentic version of yourself possible – you’ll be warmly welcomed.
Remember, when you become a Bondy, that’s it – you’re a Bondy for life. So, in your first semester, try your best at everything you do, cherish every experience that comes your way, and remember to run your own race.
Are you commencing at Bond this semester?
Orientation Week for our January semester begins on Tuesday, 11 January. View the full program of events, and don’t forget to register!