Although your priority for moving to Melbourne is to study, there is more to life than holing yourself up in the law library and reading never-ending pages of Kirby’s dissent. Go out and explore. You’re going to be here for the next 4 years minimally, so why not make it your home. Spend a day soaking up the culture or just venture into a new suburb (trust me, most of them are much more fun than clayton). Even if you are a local, why not pretend to be a tourist and enjoy things from a different perspective. Melbourne is constantly ranked as one of the most livable cities and it is not hard to see why. There is always something to do!
Things to Do
Within Melbourne
Experience Melbourne’s hyped up cafe scene with some friends or go to the National Gallery and soak up some culture. I personally love going to the various festivals and markets that are around. One favorite is the South Melbourne Market which is filled with tons of unique stalls ranging from ethically sourced clothing to crafted kitchen utensils. It also sells, in my opinion, the best croissants from Agathe patisserie.
Another fun, and more unique option is to check out the Old Melbourne Goal. The historical building is a monument of capital punishment, with 133 people being hanged there.
Fun fact: you can experience a modern-day arrest procedure and be on the other side of the law. Another historic place is the Abbotsford Convent , which if you’re feeling sporty enough is an hour bike ride away from the city. The convent was an orphanage and aged care facility in the 1800s. Today, it is a gallery featuring the work of local artist. The garden grounds is also great for a picnic.
Engage in some local sports spirit by attending an AFL match. The Essendon Football Club has a Globall program which introduces international students to the Football culture. It is a perfect way to meet new friends, visit iconic sporting grounds and score some free tickets.
Within Victoria
If you’re feeling more adventurous, head on a road trip with some friends or join a tour and make some new friends. Southwest from Geelong is the famous Great Ocean Road. Embark on a scenic drive along the precipice of coastal cliffs and enjoy the sea breeze. Trust me, the views itself will help you forget about all your stress. If you are an animal lover, there are also tons of sanctuaries around Melbourne. Alternatively, you can head to Phillip Island, just 3 hours out of Melbourne. There is also the chance to surf, swim and watch fur seals other than the penguins. Or if you’re a wine lover, head over to Yarra valley.
In Uni
There are tons of clubs and societies in Monash ranging from academic to political to social welfare. Dedicate some time to something you are passionate about. It is not only a great way to make friends, but will also give you a sense of purpose in life and see that we don’t only have to focus on grades. Even if you don’t join a club, keep an eye out for events! They are constantly organising activities that allow you to catch a breather and have fun.
International students are automatically members of Monash University International Students Service (MUISS). They have free access to the MUISS lounge, located on Level 1 of Campus Centre (21 Chancellors Walk), next to Radio Monash and opposite Sir John’s. Amenities in the lounge include sofas, beanbags, microwaves, a fridge and television. It is a great place to hang out with your friends and socialise with fellow international students, open from morning until evening every weekday
Non-residential colleges
Students living on-campus at Monash enjoy a range of social and academic advantages. However, don’t feel as though you’re missing out because NRC aim to provide the same benefits to students living off-campus. Some of the benefits of an enhanced student engagement and experience include:
- social engagement and support
- leadership and mentoring from senior students and college support teams
- access to a range of programs including social, sporting, academic and cultural.
There are three colleges at Caulfield campus (Pegasus, Phoenix and Auriga), three at Clayton campus (Orion, Centaurus and Ursa) and Aquila College at Peninsula campus. Each college has 250 student members and 20 college advisors (higher-year students acting as mentors) and three members of the academic staff in leadership positions. This is the perfect opportunity to make friends and destress!
And Always Remember
There is more to life than competing in the rat race. Take time to appreciate the things around you and stop to smell the roses (literally). Sometimes, the best thing to do is just to immerse yourself in something non-academic that you enjoy. Stop overthinking and start exploring!
A Reasonable Standard: Wellbeing for Law Students 