Learning and Teaching Unit

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  • Orientation
    • Early Preparation Workshops
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  • First few weeks
    • If you missed orientation
    • Off campus students
    • International students
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    • Useful study resources
  • LTU student home

Your first few weeks on campus

The first few weeks at university are exciting and challenging for new students. You will be faced with new ways of doing things, new academic terms and language, new forms of learning and the opportunity to make new friends. One of the new expectations at university is that you are expected to organise and plan your own study. There are things that are important to do in the first few weeks so that you can move smoothly into your studies.

• Orientation
• The first few weeks of the study period
• Checklist

Orientation

There are many activities and resources provided to help you find out what you need to know and do to settle into university.

If you are not able to attend the initial activities:

• Check the Orientation web site and see if you can attend any sessions for students who arrive late or speak to someone at the Learning and Teaching Unit on your campus.
• Make sure you attend the first lectures in each course to obtain materials and information essential to your study
• Access online resources designed to guide you through the first few weeks.
• Access, print off and work through ‘Online @ UniSA - an introduction’

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The first few weeks of study period

Full time study is likely to involve 35 hours of study per week. Many students combine paid work with their study. You may find that you need to adjust your paid work hours or your study load to ensure you can manage a university workload.

Establish your effective study routine in the first few weeks by:

• Obtaining and completing your weekly and study period planners
• Organising study networks
• Doing any required reading for lectures and tutorials
• Making sure you understand the main ideas presented in lectures and tutorials
• Reviewing and summarising your lecture notes
• Beginning to work on your first assignments

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Checklist for the first few weeks at university

Ask yourself “have I …?”	Yes	If not …
...used the university computer system		...check out the information about UniSA computers available online.
...checked my University email at least 3 times this week		...email is now the main form of communication within the University. Academic, administrative and general information is sent to students via email so check your email frequently.
...checked myUniSA to: confirm my enrolment details familiarised myself with myUniSA access my Course homepages		...check these details and familiarise yourself with myUniSA as you will refer to it continually during your time at the University. Check your enrolment details before the Census dates for your study period. Keep a check on your printing and internet quota with myUniSA. Course materials and resources are often made available through Course Home pages
...got the text books required for my course		...find the list of textbooks in the course information material. The Course Coordinator should also have pointed out which texts are needed. All books are available from Unibooks at the University of Adelaide. If you can’t afford the books check for second hand books with UniLife or see if  copies are available in the Library's  High Demand Collection.
...sorted out my weekly timetable		...check when your lectures/ tutorials/practicals take place and decide when you will spend time in the library and on private study. Use the resources available to help with planning and managing your time effectively.
...checked what my assignments are and when they are due for each course		...all your assignments and their due dates are in the course information book and on the course home page for each of your courses.
...completed a study period planner with all due dates and commitments		...download a planner for this study period.
...noted the census date for this period		...census dates are important if you are considering withdrawing from a course.
...developed a folder for each course to keep my notes together		...it is useful to have separate folders for each of your courses. Organise your notes from week 1 to ensure you stay in control of your work.
...set up my study area		...most people find it easier to study regularly in a quiet place
...allocated approximately 11 hours per week to each 4.5 unit course		...allocate non-contact time for reading, preparing for assignments and preparing for lectures and tutorials.
...met a few people in each of my courses		...start to establish study networks which are helpful throughout your studies. Make the effort to introduce yourself before or after lectures or tutorials. These students may become friends but study networks are often successful without having to be good friends.
...asked the questions I need.		...talk about any queries or concerns as soon as possible. If it is an administrative matter (from parking to buying a reader) go to Campus Central. If it is about studying better or writing assignments or a confidential, personal matter – go to Learning and Teaching Unit.
...noted when and where my lectures are for each course		...check lecture times and location on your course home pages.
...received a Course Information Booklet for each course		...contact the lecturer or print off the information from the course home page.
...done the required reading before the lectures and reviewed my notes after the lecture		...some lecturers suggest pre-reading before you come to the lecture. Even skim reading can be useful. A list of readings is usually found in the Course Information Booklets.
...noted when and where my tutorials are and names of tutors		...check this information in your course information booklet.
...prepared for my tutorials		...access ideas about how to make better use of tutorials.
...familiarised myself with the library and the data bases I need to access		...go to your campus library or check the library website.
...accessed resources from the  Learning and Teaching Unit on Academic skills Assignments Referencing & avoiding plagiarism		...check out what's available from the Learning and Teaching Unit.
...checked on-campus workshops offered by the Learning and Teaching Unit		...register for the workshops offered on your campus.

You can be sure that when you complete the checklist you have made a good start. If you have any concerns or questions, come to the Learning and Teaching Unit for a drop-in session with a learning adviser.

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