Whether you’re fooled by a push/pull door or you unexpectedly run into an academic lecturer outside of class, the best advice we can give you? Embrace the awkward! We’ve put together the most common awkward student moments you’re likely to run into during university life and added some handy tips on how to embrace them.

1. EMBRACE the AWKWARD

2. You can’t run from them.
You can’t hide from them.
Whether you’re a student just beginning study at
university, or you’re CEO of a major international
company, everyone encounters…
awkward moments.

3. You can’t run from them.
You can’t hide from them.
Whether you’re a student just beginning study at
university, or you’re CEO of a major international
company, everyone encounters…
awkward moments.

4. You can’t run from them.
You can’t hide from them.
Whether you’re a student just beginning study at
university, or you’re the CEO of a major international
company, everyone encounters…
awkward moments.

5. You can’t run from them.
You can’t hide from them.
Whether you’re a student just beginning study at
university, or you’re the CEO of a major international
company, everyone encounters…
awkward moments.

6. We’ve all been there and it’s hard
to deny that being a victim of an
awkward moment can leave you wishing
you had an invisible superpower.
But instead of letting these take over,
we have some new advice for you.

7. EMBRACE the AWKWARD

8. EMBRACE the AWKWARD
So you’re fully prepared to embrace the awkward, we’ve
put together a couple of the most awkward moments
you may encounter in your day-to-day lives at university.

9. The push/
pull door
Degree of awkwardness
Probability of occurring
When you are standing in the doorway,
attempting to shove open a door that says ‘pull’
for a solid 3 minutes before a kind stranger does
the familiar *cough* ‘it says pull‘ *cough*.
While this has a high probability of occurring,
it’s such a common awkward moment that its
degree of awkwardness is super low.

10. Walking into
the wrong
classroom
Degree of awkwardness
Probability of occurring
We’re just going to say it; this can be one of the
most shameful experiences. However, while you
may think the whole class will be chuckling, we can
guarantee they’re all silently praying that it doesn’t
happen to them, ever. So in a way, you embracing
this moment will be an inspiration to all of those
who haven’t experienced this yet! #ownit

11. Forgotten
name of a
new friend
Degree of awkwardness
Probability of occurring
Some of us are gifted with perfect memories
to recall new names for introductions at the
drop of a hat, while some of us aren’t. If your
new friend can laugh at this awkward moment
with you, never let this person go–you may
have found a new study buddy for life. You can
always blame a failed intro on first day nerves!

12. The over-
greet
Degree of awkwardness
Probability of occurring
We can’t help it, sometimes we are just
waaayyy more excited to see someone than
they are to see us! This is not a bad thing
though and if anything, they’ll probably
be feeling more awkward for not being as
friendly as you are.
The intense awkward feeling occurs when
you over-greet someone who wasn’t waving
at you in the first place…

13. When you see
people you know…
but you don’t
Degree of awkwardness
Probability of occurring
‘Is that… I think it is! *waves a lot*…
Oh, nope, it’s not them’ – you, being super awkward.
Don’t stress this one, it literally happens all the time! And trust us
when we say that both parties usually feel just as awkward. Make
like Taylor and shake it off, or you can always pretend you were
waving at someone behind them…

14. Uni navigation
in general
Degree of awkwardness
Probability of occurring
That feeling you get when you realise ‘I’ve been here
before’ and you’re likely going in circles as you get lost on
campus. The good news is, most people DO get lost on
campus! Pull aside a fellow USQ-ian or duck into the closest
reception and ask for directions. If they can’t help you, this
awkward moment dissolves into thin air (two awkward
moments make a right).

15. Running into
an academic
outside of class
Degree of awkwardness
Probability of occurring
‘Seeing a teacher outside of school is like seeing a dog walk on
its hind legs’, Janis Ian, Mean girls.
If you find yourself face to face with your lecturer, it’s okay to
smile and say hello! Remember, they’re people too. Our pro
tip is to keep the conversation light and friendly. It’s probably not
best to engage in a full chat about how you couldn’t solve Task 3
in your latest assignment while you’re both grocery shopping…

16. Miss mouth,
spill food
Degree of awkwardness
Probability of occurring
You may just be tired or having a long day, it’s not your
fault that your chip covered in BBQ sauce didn’t want to
be eaten and instead decided to jump onto your clothes.
It’s also not your fault that you were wearing a white shirt
that day. These things just happen.
All we can do is embrace the moment and move on!
We don’t recommend removing your shirt at this point in
time, but perhaps you could strategically carry your study
equipment to hide the damage before escaping to the
nearest bathroom to review the situation.

17. Remember, they happen to everyone and there’s only one thing you can do:

18. EMBRACE the AWKWARD
Remember, they happen to everyone and there’s only one thing you can do:

19. EMBRACE the AWKWARD
Experiencing awkward moments is a lot more bearable with friends.
You can search for new study buddies online or on-campus!
And hey, why not relay one of your awkward study moments as an icebreaker?
#yourewelcome
Remember, they happen to everyone and there’s only one thing you can do:

20. EMBRACE the AWKWARD
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For more advice on how to embrace the awkward,
check out Rachael’s blog. What’s the most awkward
moment that you’ve had to embrace? Share it in the
comments section below!