A student in a yellow Monash t-shirt talks to another student on a university campus during orientation week.

The hum of a thousand nervous conversations filled the air, a vast, undulating symphony of excitement and apprehension. Anya clutched her battered backpack, feeling utterly dwarfed by the grand, modern architecture of Monash University's Clayton campus. Orientation Week was in full swing, but despite the vibrant banners and enthusiastic student helpers, a knot of loneliness tightened in her stomach. She’d come from a small regional town, and this sprawling metropolis of knowledge felt intimidating. "Lost, or just contemplating the meaning of academic life?" a cheerful voice cut through her reverie. A friendly, older student with a bright yellow Monash t-shirt and an even brighter smile stood beside her. "I'm Chloe, and you look like you could use a quest." Anya blinked. "A quest?" "The Monash Connection Quest!" Chloe gestured to a buzzing registration booth. "It’s designed to stop you from feeling like a tiny fish in a very big, brilliant pond. Groups of five, a series of clues, leading to resources, new friends, and maybe even a few laughs. Plus, free snacks at the end!" Free snacks and the promise of not feeling quite so alone were powerful motivators. Anya found herself signing up, a small flicker of hope igniting within her. Moments later, she was handed a brightly coloured lanyard and a cryptic first clue, then gently steered towards a small cluster of equally bewildered-looking new students. "Team Synergy!" Chloe announced, "Your first challenge awaits!" Her teammates See more