Residential School Tips

Rilo 117 on 14/04/2021 - 10:25

Hey,

Looking for res school tips!

Started doing Uni last year, all my subject’s residential schools were cancelled and exams done online.
With things looking better this year, they’re all currently going ahead, so I just wanted to get any tips or anything for res school from other distance learning students, to make the whole experience as smooth as possible so I can get the most out of it.

So far I have / considered;

• Arrange accommodation off campus at a motel, allows for better facilities like fridge/microwave/bathroom. 10minutes away from the Uni.
• Travelling up the day prior (I live 3 hours’ drive away), to check out the town (Wagga Wagga), the Uni (CSU), familiarize with the roads/routes and check in to the motel and get a good night’s sleep.
• Ensuring I have all the right material and things for res school (eg: lab coat / safety glasses for chemistry units).
• Comfortable backpack, for ipad, laptop, books, chargers..etc
• VPN for motel wifi
• Pack enough clothes/things for the 5 nights.
• Food mainly eating at the motel, cereal breakfast, microwave dinners… minimize eating out

I’ve been told they’re big days, condense to teach everything they can’t via zoom… Most evenings I imagine I’d be going over notes and studying.

Am I forgetting anything? Or does anyone have any tips of things they found useful for res school, be it educational or non-educational that helps me get the most out of it.

I did have a search through the forums and didn’t see any other posts like this, so hopefully other people can get something useful from it.

Education & Work

Comments

  • geekcohen on 14/04/2021 - 10:59
    +2

    I would suggest you stay on campus if that is an option. I did that when I went to Ballarat Uni (now Fed Uni). I lived only 2 hours away (without traffic) and had 6 hours of class a day 4 days a week. But it was better to stay on campus (on res) and pay the rent which was about $280 a week than it was to drive all the time.

    You need to think about the kms on your car as well, it isn't just the 3 hours or so driving.

    Plus you have a fun Uni social life rather than driving and being so far away all the time.

    Just my uni experience, it was great and it was fun for the 2-year course I did. On Res was great fun as well, I meet my now wife on res and we both did different course and we are different campus' of the Uni.

  • Rilo 117 on 14/04/2021 - 11:05
    +1

    Hey cheers for that! Great points

    I looked into staying on campus, it was a lot cheaper & minutes away from class, I didn't like the shared amenities like shower and no kitchen facility.

    Work is covering the costs, so I thought a motel might be better, 10minute drive from the Uni was a better option. Uni has free parking as well for students.
    It's based on the outer edge of Wagga, so I want to meet up with other students in the cbd for drinks or go to the gym/park, its a possible option as well.

    • Quantumcat on 14/04/2021 - 14:06
      +1

      You'll be missing out on socialisation by staying away from campus. Which can be loads and loads of fun. If you're a mature age student then that's probably not as attractive

      • Rilo 117 on 14/04/2021 - 14:14
        +2

        yeah that's a good point. I'm 31 so didn't consider the social side of it.

        I think that the days are going to be that busy, that even though I'm away from my partner and 2 kids, it's not going to be a holiday :)

        • bargain huntress on 15/04/2021 - 08:35

          You don't have to be sociable if you don't want to

          And you can be sociable without sharing a bathroom

          He's going there to learn not to party

  • MS Paint on 14/04/2021 - 11:20
    +1

    My daughter studied at CSU by distance and had to attend for Res in Wagga.

    Initially she stayed on campus. The room she was allocated was in the older section but more than comfortable. She did not enjoy the shared bathroom facilities. She ate in the cafeteria for the first day but then drove into town and purchased food for cooking over the rest of the period to save money (there is a communal kitchen with lockers for your food). The social scene was ok and after a few days met up with fellow students and studied or just hung out in the common room. On campus internet was superfast.

    Her second res school was a better experience. Friends she made on the first visit organised accommodation at an apartment where they had their own bedrooms, bathrooms and great cooking facilities. They made their own breakfast and lunch but went out for dinner every night. She enjoyed this arrangement better. Internet for evening study was good. They just rotated car pooling everyday into uni.

    She says the days were long and intense and several exams at the end of the week kept them on their toes. She also says the back exit out of the uni to the highway into town is a death trap and poorly designed.

    I've personally been to Wagga a few times and it's a very straightforward town as far as navigating around. Armed with a gps you will have no issues.

    • Rilo 117 on 14/04/2021 - 11:57

      Awesome insight! Thanks for sharing!

      Looking at google maps that highway does seem full on, few double roundabouts too which are always crazy.

      I'm in a facebook grp with a few fellow students, it'd be good to becoming better friends with a couple and have a similar arrangement next time.

  • djkelly69 on 14/04/2021 - 11:48
    +2

    Not sure how long your classes are or what the breaks are like, but I would recommend some sandwiches/fruit/snacks/etc for during class or at the pee breaks.

    Also maybe check if there is a desk setup at your accommodation if you plan on revising or getting a head start on stuff for the following day. It is not much fun trying to do it sitting on a bed.

    • Rilo 117 on 14/04/2021 - 11:58
      +1

      Cheers for the reply!

      Yeah I made sure there was a nice dining table / desk setup so I can spread out and study, might even take a 2nd monitor to use with the laptop :D

      Snacks are a great idea! I wasn't sure what lunches might be, but good idea with the fruit and sandwiches.

  • singlemalt72 on 14/04/2021 - 12:01

    Former CSU student, I would stay in town - I have done both and it is just more comfortable to grab a decent motel or AirBnB. My first res school I stayed on campus, but then made friends with a couple of guys doing the same course and future schools we just rented a short-term apartment for our stays.

  • 87percent on 14/04/2021 - 13:39

    wouldn't staying at a motel be super expenisve?

    • Rilo 117 on 14/04/2021 - 13:45
      +2

      Yeah the motel for 5 nights was ~$105 p/night, it did add up, the on campus room was ~$70 p/night.

      Work is covering the cost anyway, so I didn't mind electing the slightly more costly option for better amenities.
      I

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