There can many unknowns for students finishing high school and looking to pursue further studies in Perth. From commencing a new way of studying, to the increased independence of living on campus, it can be hard to imagine what to expect.

To help paint a picture of what it’s like living on campus while studying at UWA, we asked one of our first year students to share their experiences of studying while living at UniHall.

Javed is studying Medicine here at UWA and shares his experiences below:

What prompted you to think about living on campus during your studies?

Being an international student, the thought of having to find a rental house or apartment was somewhat daunting. I had fears that I would not like it, have to deal with landlords and thought that the images online did not match what the rental was like in reality. However, as UniHall is the only UWA associated residence I felt more comfortable moving in, especially after hearing testimonies to how easy it was to apply and how nice it was to live there. The close proximity to my classes and having meals included were extremely useful, and the relatively affordable cost of living was a bonus for me too.

What was it like moving in?

Moving in was very fun! There’s many events that are available for new students to participate in and lots of opportunities to meet new and interesting people! Every staff member and student made me feel welcomed into the community and were very helpful if I needed any help at all.

Did you know anyone at UniHall before moving in?

I knew absolutely no one when first moving in. I felt anxious at first, particularly because I was coming from abroad. However, within the first day I met many people through activities and at the dining hall that I consider good friends to this day. After joining some committees soon after, I also had the opportunity to meet more people.

What is the best part about living on campus?

The best part about living on campus would be the close proximity to UWA. This is really helpful in going to the uni library early or late in the day without catching the bus.

What do you like best about your room at UniHall?

I’m currently living in the studio room. The best part about it is that I have my own bathroom. Being able to quickly get ready and not have to wait for others to use the bathroom is very useful and saves me a lot of time.

Before you moved in, did you plan on cooking or using the dining hall most? Is that different to what you actually do now?

Originally I planned on making most of my dinners and just using my dining hall meals for when I did not want to cook. However, now I try to go to the dining hall for 5/7 dinners and go to both brunches. The dinners have lots of variety and have something for almost everyone. The brunches however are extremely good and are a good way to wake up after sleeping in on the weekends!

How is studying at uni different to what you thought it would be like? How have you found the transition from school-based learning?

Studying at university is a lot different than I expected. I have had to increase the amount of time I need to study and also have had to make a schedule for myself as there are so many assignments / tests / events that I have to keep track of. University is a lot more independent as well which has been good as I can structure most of my day how I want, but it’s important to keep on track of stuff to keep up with academics and social activities. Thankfully, UniHall offers various academic and social supports to help ease the transition from high school.

Where do you like to study around campus and UniHall?

Personally, I enjoy studying at any library on campus as they are all good. However, at UniHall, I enjoy studying on my floor lounge as it’s near my room so I can take lots of breaks and is also relatively quiet.

First Year Experiences