Lilly Lang

About me

Heya! I'm Lilly, a third-year Biology and Psychology student at the University of Canterbury. I absolutely love university life and everything that comes with it, from meeting new people and getting involved in clubs to exploring Christchurch and spending weekends tramping and getting outdoors. While I do have a lot of fun, academics are also super important to me, so prioritising, studying, and time management are all things I've had to learn. When I was in Year 13, I remember how overwhelming uni felt. There were so many different degrees, majors, papers, halls, and university terms that I had no idea what half of them meant! I didn't know what to study, and then had to figure out how to switch degrees after my first semester. Having gone through all of that, I've learned that it's completely okay not to have everything figured out from the start. Whether you're wondering about degrees, halls, student life, making friends, workload, or anything in between, I'm here to help make it feel more achievable and something you can look forward to!

My uni experience

Workload varies a lot between degrees, papers, days, and semesters. I've had days with only one hour of in-person contact time and others with ten. There are always assignments, readings, and homework to do in your own time as well. I personally value academics, so I'm at uni at least 8 to 10 hours a day Monday to Friday, though this changes throughout the semester. I was surprised by how much the workload varied between papers. Last year I had one paper I'd spend three hours a week on and another I'd spend 20+ hours on. Both got me an A+. I stayed in Tupuanuku in my first year and LOVED it. Good food, organised events, and nice rooms and facilities. It was a great first step between living at home and flatting. Just make sure to apply for a hall that fits your personality and vibe as they are all very different! I'd 100% recommend joining clubs (yes, your mum was right!). There are 150+ clubs at UC with something for everyone. I'm currently club captain of the Canterbury University Tramping Club and have met some lifelong friends through it. Take every opportunity to meet people, whether it's a study session, a hall event, or something random uni has organised. Uni can be really isolating if you don't make any effort, but it can also be very social and engaging if you do.

Hobbies

Outdoor activities (tramping, climbing, mountaineering, mountain biking, running), travelling, photography, baking, arts and crafts, reading, the gym, and long yaps.