Planes, trains and…

How do you get to university each day? As a person with a Guide Dog I’m stuck on public transport. Yes I could consider taxi’s but being a student is not conducive to paying that fare. If I could drive it would 25 minutes on the ring road, maybe a little longer with traffic. Instead of a nice straight route I need to go into the city and back out again. This wouldn’t be too bad in theory; it’s a comfortable 15 minute walk to the station, not quite half an hour in, about the same out, and another 10 or 15 minute walk to the campus. All up about an hour and a half yes? No.

The joy that is Connex claims to have a record of 92% on time performance, and a 98% services delivered as they claim<a href=”http://www.connexmelbourne.com.au/news.php?newsid=156″>here</a>. I would love to know what world they live in where these figures could be correct.

Take today for example. I left the house at 9.20. My train should have arrived at 9.40. By 9.50 we were in luck. The train crawled along and once I reached a station where I could change for a connection train lo and behold my connection was at least 15 minutes late. I try to plan things where if possible the train will meet up with a bus or tram. Unfortunately every time I try to plan this particular time the train misses the bus by at least 20 minutes. After getting to the station today and running instead of walking I made my 11am start at 11.05 – at least half an hour (and one train) later than the journey planner on <a href=”www.metlinkmeloburne.com.au”>Metlink</a> advises.

The real scary thing about it is that the above is probably one of the better examples. I could have killed someone the day I left at 9.20 and arrived around midday. So what does all this have to do with campus life? If you don’t drive – leave yourself at least a train if not 2 before the one you’d like to arrive on. Better yet work out how to teleport and tell me the secret.

International Student

It is not easy to international student to get into a new place.
I am Hiu Nam Ko and one of an international student from Hong Kong.
My first impression of Vic Campus is that I don’t know where is Building 10.
Luckily, I found it finally, but I was late around half an hour.
So I want to share my life in here and tell about the problems that international students deal with.
There are a lot of problems that I have got for my three years in Melbourne.
Therefore, it is hard for a student to get into a new place.

Vic Campus Life

I travel to university by car. Now, I thought that would be a lot better than the train – not having to sit near or be squished by complete strangers, no weird smells, drunks etc etc.

I also only need to travel from Werribee to St Albans Victoria University campus, which would and should only take half an hour max. I cannot believe how terrible the traffic is!!!!!! Not only do lanes disappear along the way, leaving cars and trucks merging and stuck, but there are roadworks that either take away another lane or slow down the speed limit to 60km/h! I seem to be the only idiot following the new speed limit though, leaving my travel time to uni all over the place!

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/RoadsAndProjects/RoadProjects/WesternSuburbs/Western+Suburbs+Pojects.htm

According to Vic Roads, I’ll be finished uni by the time the roadworks are supposed to done anyway!

I understand there are roadworks on the way to Deakin University in Waurn Ponds that severely slow down the traffic flow. I know this sounds silly but couldnt the roads have been built right in the first place???

 So anyway, when I do finally arrive to uni - fashionably late, I then have the fun of finding a park! I know that many other uni’s have to pay for parking and I am glad that I dont have to pay another stupid fee but couldnt they tell how many students were going to come to the uni when they were building it and then measure up the carpark to suit that????

So this ended up becoming a bit of a rant!!!

Vic Campus Life

Hello blog enthusiast..For those of you who have embarked on the adventures of higher education, you may be too familiar with the financial problems that seem to arise like a jack-in-the-box; they pop up when you least expect them to! Although most students are eligible for financial assistance from the government, it simply is not adequate when the expense of living is so high!! Think about it; rent, utility bills, groceries, transport…not to mention school materials that leave a burden on the credit card that is heavier than the load of books on your back! Studying fulltime has meant, like most students, I have had to cut back on work in order to prioritise study commitments.  But I know I’m not alone. If you are experiencing financial difficulties, you should speak to the relevant department at your univeristy. A good website is www.studymelbourne.vic.gov.au where you can find all sorts of helpful info in regards to student life.

Have a good Easter, no meat on Friday!!

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