Jodie Macmillan

About me

Hey, I'm Jodie! I'm a 20-year-old from Auckland, currently in my third year of a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Otago, double majoring in Marketing and Tourism. I signed up for Next Chats because I think the concept is so awesome. If I'd had access to something like this in Year 13, I definitely would have used it. I'd love the chance to share my experiences at Otago and help you feel more confident about your university plans.

My uni experience

The workload isn't too demanding day to day. I usually have something on every day, but I've never had a full day of classes. The busiest times are around assessments, as Marketing and Tourism assignments tend to be quite word-heavy and require a lot of research and writing. During those periods, I definitely spend more time in the library. I stayed at University College (Unicol) in my first year and loved it. Being right on campus was a huge bonus. The food was pretty average, but considering they cater for around 500 students, there were definitely more good meals than bad. It's a big hall and can feel a bit overwhelming at first, but it's incredibly social and you'll find your people! The social side of Otago has honestly been the best part for me. I've met people through my degree, my hall, friends of friends, clubs, and random connections. I'm a member of the Women in Business Club, which is a great way to meet people and get involved in something I care about. Finding a balance is really important too. It's very easy to get caught up in the bubble of North Dunedin, so make time to go to the beach, go to the gym, and give yourself some alone time as well.

Hobbies

Going to the gym and long walks, baking and cooking, travelling, DJing, reading, fashion, and hanging out with friends and family. I love the beach and always make time to head to my bach for a well-deserved chill out when I'm back home.