RESNdential: Advice for Moving Out of Home (Monash University)
2 years ago
Georgia is a Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine student who moved from rural Victoria and has since stayed in north-east Melbourne, including Swan Hill, Wangaratta, and Mildura, for her placements.
What type of accommodation(s) are you living/ have lived in (college, share-house, etc.), and what's your experience been like? What are the pros and cons?
I first moved into a fully catered residential college at Monash University, Mannix College, which was a very convenient stepping stone for moving out of home for the first time. They provide all meals, a gym, laundry, social events, tutoring/academic support, and a community of 250+ students. It was perfect to meet many new people and a great opportunity to line up future housemates. The major downside is that it can be very expensive and it is sometimes difficult to get a break from the noise or social events.
I then moved into a sharehouse with four other people. It was great to have my 'own space' to invite friends over or have a quiet night at home, depending on how I was feeling. It can be time consuming to purchase and move furniture and then juggle grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning and paying bills, but you will find a good routine after a few weeks. Going into a sharehouse can be daunting when you are responsible for the bond, rental agreement, wifi, bills etc., so make sure that you trust the people you are moving in with. Be aware that a typical lease is 12 months long, and there are extra fees if you need to move out before the end of the lease. I tend to spend a few months at home during summer and winter breaks, so it can seem unfair to be paying rent during this time but that's just a fact of life.
Now that I’m living in rural towns for placement, Monash has student houses that they have available for lease. It has been a great experience to live with fellow medical students and make some stronger connections within my course.
How much does it cost per week for accommodation and living expenses? Were you able to access any financial assistance?
Mannix College is most expensive ($580 per week for only 39 weeks).
Share housing appears much cheaper but things quickly add up: bond + rent + bills + electricity + groceries + furniture + miscellaneous
Per week, I paid $110 rent + approx. $50 bills + approx. $100 groceries.
I was eligible for Centrelink and a university scholarship, so I was very thankful for this.
I recommend working during the summer break to save up for the long uni semesters. If the contact hours of your course allow you to maintain part-time work throughout the year, that is also really helpful.
How were you able to stay in touch with friends and family after moving out? Was it tough to stay connected, or did you make it work?
I find that you have to make an effort to catch up, otherwise you can get quite busy with uni, running errands, etc. If there is someone you want to stay in touch with, or that you want to spend more time with - make sure that you let them know.
It was definitely easier to stay in touch with people who are geographically close, so make sure that you get in touch with friends in the town/city that you are moving to. Otherwise, give your old friends notice and arrange a catch-up for when you are going home for the weekend or the summer holidays.
My family is in the habit of calling most Sunday mornings, since we now live in three different locations.
How did you adapt to any curveballs that COVID-19 might have thrown at you? Were you able to go home, or did you stay closer to uni?
My placements in Melbourne were cancelled for much of 2020, so I lived with my parents on their farm. During the worst of the lockdowns, I was very grateful that I could live in a homely environment with lots of space outdoors.
I still had Zoom classes and plenty of study to do, so it gave me a goal and something to keep me sane.
I tried to focus on what I did have (rather than what I did not have) - I had a tertiary education, a safe house, good meals, outdoor exercise, and social connections through technology.
Have you got any other advice for anyone thinking about moving out for university?
There is a lot to adapt to when you move out of home for the first time and it can be a little bit overwhelming. If you feel that you are failing make sure that you prioritise the basic things and set a good routine - healthy food, daily exercise, social connections, good sleep, and a little bit of uni work.
The teaching style of university is quite different when compared to high school, so that is another major shift. Make sure that you give it your best shot, and know that achieving high marks may not be as easy as it was at school.
If you’re keen to learn more about moving out of home, check out our other posts in the RESNdential series! You’ve got this. ✌️