To feel confident and comfortable when you start, there are many things you can do to settle in as smoothly as possible and enjoy your time at Murdoch.

Make friends and get involved

Don’t be afraid to say hello! Speaking to people in the same sessions as you during O-week can be a great way to make friends before semester even starts – but if you don’t get a chance, then making conversation with people in your lectures and tutorials can be just as effective.

Consider joining Murdoch’s MentorMe program to meet with a student mentor once a week over coffee. The meetings are held in a small group setting, so this is a great way to meet others studying the same degree as you.

It’s normal to feel a bit shy at first, but remember every other student around you is probably feeling the exact same way! So it’s not a big deal, say ‘hey’ and things will progress from there.

Joining a club or society is also a great way to get involved in something that sparks your interest and is an easy way to meet like-minded individuals. Murdoch boasts an incredible number of clubs and teams, ranging from moot teams to netball teams, the chess club to the ‘Kahoot’ club.

For international student Ayguel, getting involved with campus activities was an essential part of her time at Murdoch, saying it helped her make friends and make the most of her time in Australia. 

“I really liked Bush Court. It’s a sunny place where I often spent my free time. You get to meet friends and new people at Bush Court, especially when there are events on.

"Murdoch is a beautiful university and I felt so blessed being able to study here as I could explore and grow with all of my experiences independently.”

Learn how to balance study

Staying on top of your studies is important and will help prevent your work from piling up. If you commute to campus via public transport, try using that time to complete your required readings, or even start researching for an assignment.

Making the most of Murdoch’s social events can be a great way to take short breaks from studying. The Murdoch Guild organises a variety of events throughout the year. Murdoch’s student clubs and societies also offer a range of social events throughout the year, including cocktail parties, camps, and competitions.

Get familiar with the campus 

Whether you’re planning to do some quiet study in the library, or you’re seeking a more group-orientated venue such as the meeting rooms in the base of the Student Hub, you are bound to find the perfect study spot for you.

With Café Kadj nestled in the Geoffrey Bolton library and Courtside located in the Student Hub, you’ll never have to wander far to find a coffee (hot tip: the cheapest cuppas on campus, going for just $2, can be found at the Law Café).

Murdoch also has a range of cuisines and food outlets available including Italian, Chinese, gourmet burgers, and bubble tea housed in the Student Hub – not to mention the Pop-up Ref with a plethora of food trucks on rotation. There’s also the on-campus IGA where you can pick something up anything from snacks, lunch, or general store items.

Find support

Murdoch offers an unparalleled range of support for both new and returning students.

For help with your studies, Murdoch offers PASS sessions (A.K.A. peer assisted study sessions) for many different units. These small group study sessions are run by a senior student on a weekly basis and have been shown to improve students’ results by an entire grade.

Alternatively, Peer Academic Coaches (PAC) can be found in the library several days a week. If you are looking for help with research, essay structure, referencing, or even time management, a drop-in session with a PAC can be a fantastic help.

The Murdoch Guild also offers a tutoring service. The Guild will pair you with a senior student, who will work with you on a one-on-one basis at a pace that suits you.

For advice and support with your course, the friendly staff at the myMurdoch Advice Locations are available to discuss your options with you. Murdoch also offers an on-campus Health Counselling Service to all students.

Remember, your uni journey is your own and there is no right way or wrong way to make the most of uni life. These tips are here to help you feel confident when starting this journey, but the best part about uni is the independence and freedom you have to explore and grow, so it is up to you to see where this experience will take you.