‘You’re going to be just fine—actually, better than fine’: recent graduate, Bhavya, shares a letter to his first-year self
As a fresh year of study starts, whether you’re commencing your studies for the first time or returning for another year, the end point of completing your course and graduating might seem so far away.
To show that all the obstacles between here and there are surmountable, and that Deakin is here to support you along your way, we asked recent graduate Bhavya Bagaria to share a letter to his past self, offering advice for what he wish he’d known starting out.
A letter to my past self
Dear First-Year Me,
Right now, you’re feeling excited—probably a little naive—but mostly dazzled by the glamour of studying in Australia. You’ve just stepped into a new world, ready to take on university life, and let me tell you, you’ve made the right decision.
But here’s what I wish you knew from the start.
It can take a while to find the right balance
Finding the right balance between socialising, working, and studying will be trickier than you think. There will be moments when you’ll struggle to prioritise things in the right order. But don’t worry. you’ll figure it out, one awkward misstep at a time—and yes, there will be plenty of those.
Put yourself out there—beyond just academics
Your best memories won’t be from sitting in lectures—they’ll be from the moments you took a leap of faith. Like when you represented Deakin at an international case competition in Canada or attended a leadership symposium at the UN Conference Centre. These experiences will teach you the power of stepping out of your comfort zone and realising your full potential.
Be bold—your future self will thank you for it
Friendships don’t just happen; you have to put yourself out there. Be more courageous. Push yourself into new experiences, because that’s how you’ll unlock parts of yourself you didn’t even know existed. Invest in things and people that give you energy. Through programs like the Vice Chancellor’s Excellence Program (VCPEP) and the Business and Law Mentor Program, you’ll meet like-minded people and gain support when transitioning into uni. These programs will be game changers, so embrace them fully.
Appreciate friendships more
In hindsight, you’ll wish you had prioritised friendships more in your early years. Yes, work and studies are important, but so are the people who make life fun. Make time for them. Preserve those relationships—they’ll matter more than you think.
Every experience—good or bad—teaches you something
There will be nights when you submit assignments weeks in advance, and nights when you cram at the last minute. Both will teach you something valuable about yourself. You’ll learn that university isn’t just about getting a degree—it’s about discovering who you are, how you work, and what truly excites you.
Failure isn’t the end of the world (even if it feels like it)
Remember that assignment where you did horribly and thought the world was ending? (Hint: it involved designing posters—turns out, not your strong suit.) Well, guess what? It wasn’t the end of the world. It was just a lesson in focusing on the process rather than being hyper-fixated on grades. You’ll learn that setbacks are just setups for comebacks.
The future is looking great
In four years you’ll be graduating, and you’ll feel confident—ready to take on any challenge that comes your way. You’ll be proud of how far you’ve come, and be excited to use your skills to improve your life and the lives of those around you. And guess what? One day you’ll be working as a Pricing and Costing Analyst at Deakin University.
If you could see where you’ve ended up now, you’d be surprised and proud. So, here’s my final piece of wisdom: stay shameless. First years have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Send those cold emails. Stay curious with a desire to learn. Jump at opportunities without fear of rejection. Be authentic.
You’re going to be just fine—actually, better than fine.
With pride and hindsight,
Your Future Self
Bhavya studied Commerce (Finance) and Business Analytics and is now starting work as a Pricing and Costing Analyst at Deakin.
Where can I get Deakin’s support?
If you need some help while on your journey studying, Deakin has a team of staff and students offering a range of study support services to help you get the most out of your learning experience.
- Study Support can help you understand your assessment tasks and give feedback on planning, writing, or revising.
- Access 24/7 online tutoring and assignment feedback with Smarthinking.
- Use the academic skills guides to help you achieve your best results in a study period.
- Check the Deakin Guide to Referencing for the requirements to reference work in your relevant style.
- Learn strategies to improve your English language skills.
- See programs and personalised support run by students for students.
- Access study skills resources for HDR students.
Deakin also offers support services including counselling, financial assistance, Medical Centres, disability support and Health and Wellbeing. GIFT City students can access local health and wellbeing support partners.