For students on the Gold Coast, life looks a bit different from your average experience spent hustling and bustling between busy city campuses and packed libraries.
Instead, there’s a much more laid back approach to the days, fitting campus time in between sunrise runs, cafe study sessions and ocean dips.
We spoke to two international students studying on ‘The Goldy’, as it’s often referred to by the locals, and it’s clear that the lifestyle here is actively shaping the way students organise their time, and why the balance between work and play is so important.
Where lifestyle meets learning
For Isabelli, studying on the Gold Coast represents the fulfilment of a lifelong dream of moving to Australia. Originally from Brazil, Isabelli moved to Australia in 2023.
Her current routine looks a little different from the traditional university timetable, but it suits the flexibility of Gold Coast life.
“My course is livestreamed and mostly self-study,” she says. “I organise my time around watching the live-streamed classes and reading the materials on my days off. I really like to do this outside of home, usually at a café, in a park, or at the Gold Coast Student Hub, because I find I can concentrate much better there. ”
Study in style
The Gold Coast Student Hub is used by both international and local students alike. It offers a central place to study, connect with other students and access support, as well as hosting events and workshops accessible for all Gold Coast students (pizza and games night, anyone!?).
Study time on the Gold Coast doesn’t need to be relegated to the back of the student library; instead, you’ll find people studying or reading pretty much anywhere else, making the most of the abundance of cafes, green spaces or even by the beach.
“When I’m catching up on classes or readings, I like to do it at cafés with ocean views or in parks, places that make studying feel less like a chore and more like a lifestyle,” says Isabelli. “For me, it’s all about combining productivity with the natural beauty and energy of the city.”
Balancing study, work and wellbeing
For international students, balancing study with work while still maintaining a social life can be especially challenging.
Isabelli says it’s not just a heavy academic workload that can impact your wellbeing.
“You’re [also] adapting to a new culture, a completely different lifestyle, and sometimes a new language, all of which can be intense.”
Her approach focuses on planning ahead while remaining flexible. “I make sure to schedule study, work, and social time carefully, but I always leave room for rest,” she says. Rest, she notes, doesn’t always mean doing nothing. It might be catching up on sleep, spending time with friends, exercising or doing something creative.
Listening to her body, and knowing it’s okay to change her schedule if it's impacting her mental or physical health, is key for Isabelli in making the most of her time on the Gold Coast.
“What works on paper might not work in practice,” she says. “Finding that balance between productivity and rest is key to enjoying your time here and staying healthy.”
Starting the day with intention
Balance is equally important for Sofi, who is studying nursing.
“Through my studies, I’ve learned that physical activity is not only good for your body but also really important for your mental health. So instead of doom-scrolling, I try to move my body by walking along the beach or jumping into the ocean when it’s hot. It makes my days more varied and helps life feel richer and more balanced,” she says.
She starts most mornings by running along Mermaid Beach at 5 am, before taking a 7 am surfing lesson near the uni, and then heading to class by 9 am. While that certainly might not be the routine that works for everybody, Sofi says the dopamine hit she got from running and surfing was worth the early mornings, and it was a big part of helping her to find community in the Gold Coast, too.
“[There’s] such a strong community culture. There are so many run clubs, and I also go to a girls’ outdoor Pilates group and a surf community. It’s so easy to stay active while meeting like-minded people at the same time, which makes studying here feel much more social and fun,” she says.
Planning with purpose
Like most students, Sofi still finds balancing everything overwhelming at times. Her solution is prioritisation.
“Studying is always my priority,” she says. “I write down assignment due dates and exam times first, then plan everything else around that.”
Despite the abundance of digital tools students can access, Sofi prefers an old-school approach.
“I prefer to visualise everything on a physical calendar, so I use a diary to keep track of my week,” she says.
Having a visual reminder of her schedule helps her to make sure she never misses out on important information or opportunities, something she feels is very important as an international student.
The Gold Coast difference
Living on the Gold Coast fundamentally shapes how students spend their time. Easy access to the beach makes physical activity part of daily life rather than something that needs to be scheduled separately.
No matter what your interests are, if you like getting outdoors, then there’s likely a community group for you. Run clubs, outdoor pilates, surfing, or even just wandering between cafes helps turn that much-needed restoration time for students into an opportunity for exercise, social connection and relaxation – what more could you ask for?
