I learnt a lot from moving interstate after finishing high school, and I am so grateful for everything it taught me. While it was a very rewarding and enriching experience there were times when it was also quite scary and challenging. So, if you are thinking of taking the leap, here are some tips to help you through it!
Accommodation
There are many options, but you can refer to this list for the complete spread.
PROS
CONS
Uni residential houses
- Already furnished
- Easier to socialise and find friends
- Less paperwork, bills, and repairs
- Less control over space, location and food
- May be expensive
Shared renting
- Save money by sharing the cost of renting
- More control over location makes it feel like a home!
- May have more space than uni residential houses
- Need to find housemates
- Need to deal with bills and rental paperwork
- Getting a successful application can be difficult (might need to put family member as guarantor)
Flatmate websites
- Similar to shared accommodation with added bonus of some places being furnished
- Don’t get to choose your housemates
Renting alone
- You get to live how you want to and establish your own routines!
- Can be expensive
- Can be lonely at times.
This is going to be very exciting, be ready for anything and remember to always look after your physical and mental health.
YOU GOT THIS ❤️
Food
You can always utilise free lunches and dinners that the university provides, otherwise there are some great websites for some quick, easy, and nutritious meals. You can also find a local restaurant near you that does meal prep and buy bulk food for a week from them, or use other services such as Goodfoods and Hellofresh.
Transport
Search up whether the state you’re moving into allows for credit cards to be used on public transport, otherwise it is worth looking into getting a student card for cheaper fares. Riding a bike is another great option that might save you the trouble of finding a car park. However, for many of you, driving will still be the most convenient option. If you’re bringing your car, make sure to change your licence to the state you’re moving into (refer to your relevant state guidelines for this).
Finding friends
Joining university clubs is a great way to find friends and venture outside of your cohort. I found having friends with different interests to you or friends who don’t study the same thing can be wonderful. Broadening your horizon can really help you in times when you need a bit more support as well. Otherwise, join classes that interest you like dance, art, or fitness. Having hobbies outside of medicine especially when moving interstate is crucial for your mental health.
Looking after yourself
One of the most important steps to looking after yourself is finding a GP. This can take time since you might need to go to a few to find one that suits your needs. Going out for a walk or some fresh air everyday can help your mental health a lot, and you might also find a friend or two! Make sure you’re familiar with your university’s well-being team as they can be very helpful to get an extension, point you in the right direction, or create an academic integrity plan for you. Finding yourself a psychologist is also an amazing avenue to look after yourself, even if you are managing. By seeking help when you’re at your best, you can equip yourself with tools to help yourself in challenging times, and additionally you have already found yourself a psychologist who you trust and have built a connection with, in order to help you as well. Most importantly don’t be afraid to ask for help! It is ok not to be ok, and it is inevitable that some days will be harder than others.
By Mahta Mohajeri
National Sponsorship Officer 2023