Chapter 17: Orientation Day
Luke awoke with excitement in his Melbourne apartment, as today was the first day of term at the University of Melbourne. He freshened up, had a simple sandwich for breakfast, and with his backpack slung over his shoulder, he left the apartment. Following the directions on his map, he caught the bus to the campus.
As the bus headed towards the university, Luke noticed many people traveling in the same direction, all heading to the opening ceremony of the new academic year. When he arrived at the University of Melbourne campus, he was met with a lively and bustling scene. Students and staff eagerly anticipated the beginning of the new term.
Stepping through the campus gates, Luke felt the energy and vibrancy in the air. People bustled around him, students from various countries and regions engaged in conversation. Luke joined the throng of people moving towards the student services centre, admiring the picturesque campus and contemplating the upcoming semester. He eagerly looked forward to the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.
Upon reaching the services centre, Luke found a large map displaying the various buildings and locations on campus. He decided to begin his preparations for the new term at the St. Louis Library.
As he entered the library, he saw that it was already bustling with students. Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the doors and stepped into the grand hall. A vast array of books and study materials greeted him, and many students were already poring over them or using computers for research. The atmosphere of learning and discovery thrilled Luke.
He found a seat by the window in the library's study area and opened his sleek MacBook. As he planned his semester, he browsed the course catalogue, selecting a variety of elective courses that piqued his interest.
Luke's major was Computer Engineering, a notoriously challenging field that often tested one's patience and, at times, even hairline. He felt satisfied with his plan for the semester, confident that he was well-prepared for the challenges to come.
However, it wasn't long before Luke discovered the significant difference in difficulty between high school and university. As he faced towering stacks of daunting coursework, he lamented the nightmarish volume and complexity of the assignments.
He realized that unlike his high school assignments, university work required him to delve deep, researching countless resources and putting in long hours. At times, he was frustrated with his choice to major in Computer Science.
As he tackled the seemingly insurmountable amount of work, Luke questioned whether the professors were truly there to teach or to torment their students. He longed to escape the mounting pressure, but he knew that his performance on these assignments would directly impact his academic success.
Algorithm courses, in particular, were a constant source of frustration for Luke. The coursework was difficult, the grading strict, and the final exam notoriously challenging. Luke couldn't help but resent Professor Rafel, who seemed more interested in making life difficult for the students than in imparting knowledge.
While pondering ways to make the course easier and possibly have Professor Rafel replaced, Luke received messages from two of his closest friends from home: Seraphina Shangguan and Yuki Jiang. The warmth and familiarity of their words momentarily lifted his spirits, providing a much-needed respite from the challenges of university life.