Your burning questions answered by students who’ve actually survived the chaos.
Starting uni feels like stepping into a game without a tutorial (think The Hunger Games). New campus, new people, and then there are the deadlines coming at you. Fast. But don’t worry, every student before you has gone through the same. So here are what we call the Swinburne UniLife Survival Guide from current students and alumni to help you stay on track.
Balancing Unilife and Survival Mode
Plot twist: it’s not as tough as you think – it’s just continuous. You get weeks to do your assignment, but then BAM!, sudddenly you have 2-3 assignments due at once. The secret? Start early, even it it means writing the first paragraph.
Also. Different courses = different struggle. Media and Communication students are living their best life, while their Design and Computer Science friends are running on 4 hours of sleep max. But here’s the thing. Instead of comparing workloads, it’s better to support each other. So really, balance doesn’t mean being perfect. It means finding what works. So if you’re a…
- deadline warrior who move only when due dates get close
- checklist planners who write tasks down and tick them off for focus
- or even break-takers who knows that rest is part of productivity
Try the 40/20 method: focus for 40 minutes, rest for 20. Simple, effective, and stress-reducing.
Pro-tip: The workload feels heavy at first, especially if you’re new to independent learning. But once you develop good study habits, it’s not as scary as people make it out to be.
Group Projects are the Ultimate Survival Test
Group work is where your patience gets tested. All.The.Time. Two magic words: patience and communication. And these hacks should *fingers crossed* save you time and sanity:
- screenshot the group chats and files to avoid “I didn’t know” moments
- pick your battle – protect your grades, not your pride
- assign role so everyone’s clear (and there’ll be less last-minute stress)
- more importantly, stay respectful in group chats. CAPS lock arguments never end well and serve no one.
Real talk: if they ghost you after multiple attempts, let them know you’ll bring it up to the lecturer, and follow through. As one alum shared, “The moment I CC’d the lecturer, everyone replied.” As students, you don’t have the authority to force people to work, so pass it to someone who can.
Making Friends in Unilife Minus The Pressure
Hot take: The best time to make friends is tutorial class on Day One. Everyone’s new, everyone’s shy, and that makes it easier to connect.
The Introvert’s Survival Guide:
- let the extroverts adopt you (no, seriously!).
- join one or two clubs or society if it fit your interests
- master the art of small talk – your seatmates might be just as shy as you
- don’t overthink awkward moments – everyone is focused on their own stuff.
Remember: everyone’s secretly hoping someone will talk to them first, so you might just be their hero.
Secret Study Spots for Survival (Shhh!)
When the campus is packed and the library is a battlefield, these seniors know where to hide:
- Building A, Level 2 comp lab: underated and peaceful but not completely isolated
- rooms E3, E5, B4 rooms: Wi-Fi strong, usually available (you’re welcome)
- Design labs after hours: open PCs, solid workspace, peaceful vibes
- library hack: for exam weeks, get there before 8:30AM.
Reality check: Sometimes there’s no perfect spot. Invest in noise-cancelling headphones – they’re a game changer.
Unilife Rules Nobody Take Note Of (But Should!)
Public spaces = shared spaces so here are some Unilife unwritten rules. Learn them fast:
- don’t take the elevator for one or two floors (unless you’re hurt or carrying heavy stuff)
- don’t annoy the lecturer during class – it ruins everyone’s day
- seats at the Food Hall are for eating meals, not for setting up your study corner (it’s Food Hall, not Starbucks)
- don’t compare GPAs across different programs (this is not high school!).
Respect makes daily uni life pleasant for everyone.
Surviving the 8AM Classes
The Pre-Game Strategy: Arrive 10-15 minutes early, grab coffee, and do some stretches. Being prepared beats rushing in half-asleep every time. Morning lectures are tough, but possible.
The Controversial Take: Sit in the front row. Sounds crazy? Maybe. It’s just to force yourself to stay alert. Plus, accidentally dozing off and jolting awake when the lecturer notices? The embarrassment alone is motivation enough (not that this has ever happened to anyone… definitely not!)
The essentials:
- get at least 8 hours sleep (revolutionary, I know)
- have breakfast before stepping to class
- bring mints or candy
- engage with the lecturer and class materials – ask questions, take notes.
Quick Unilife Survival Hacks – Swinburne Sarawak Edition
Procrastination Camouflage: Strategic tab management where you need to have the lecture slides open in one tab while YouTube (and a million other non-course material tabs) are also open.
Study Spots During Exams – the library opens at 8:30AM. Do what you must with that information. Also:
- bring a hoodie, the room temp switches up fast
- join the class WhatsApp or Discord groups – that’s where info drops
- Flopping one subject ≠ end of your future. Swinburne students always bounce back.
Pro tip: Spend less time looking busy, more time actually starting.
The Bottom Line
Uni life isn’t about flawless routines. It’s about learning how to manage stress, grow friendships, and find your flow. You’ll make mistakes, figure out what works, and come out stronger.
That’s what Swinburne’s UniLife Survival looks like.
Big love to all the seniors and alumni who spilled the tea for this piece – alumni Anne Marie Teng, Elizabeth Ashleigh and Joseph Ling, and current students Ewen Khoo, Evangelynn George, Mandy Chua, Ilec Ryeon and Victoria Teng. You didn’t hold back, and that’s what makes it gold. From chaos energy study tips to secret campus hacks, you’ve officially saved future Swinbees from at least 47 mental breakdowns. Thanks for keeping it real! Your stories are the kind of survival guide no textbook will ever give.