Students are not expected to manage their transition from school to university without some help and support. Apart from the important support from family and friends, assistance can come in many forms.
Orientation programs
Orientation programs help students to meet others, find their way around, get their timetables and learn which textbooks and other course materials they need.
All universities offer some form of orientation for new students before classes begin, with a wide range of activities offered. Students should try to attend as many academic and social orientation activities as they can.
Transition programs
Transition programs follow on from orientation, and provide opportunities for new students to establish a network of friends and adjust to university life in general. Activities include mentoring programs, organisation of study groups, skills workshops and social events.
Student services
All university campuses offer student services and support, and students should be encouraged to access these free and confidential services if they need them. Services may include:
- Health services: often a bulk-billing medical clinic with staff skilled in areas of concern to students. Students need their own Medicare card to access the service.
- Housing/accommodation: information on housing options, emergency accommodation, share house noticeboards, real estate listings and tenancy advice.
- Financial aid: information on loans, bursaries, Youth Allowance, budgeting and Centrelink.
- Counselling: professional counselling for students covering a wide range of personal and academic issues.
- Careers and employment: advertises part-time, casual and holiday jobs and provides advice and resources on career planning, preparing a resumé, job hunting and interviews.
- Disability liaison: information and support for students with a disability or long-term medical condition, including those with mental health issues.
- Learning or study skills: assistance with improving skills in reading, academic writing, exam strategies, oral presentations and time management.
- Indigenous education: support for Indigenous Australian students.
- Chaplaincy: counselling, support and information for students of any or no religion.
- Child care: assistance with arranging child care for children of students.
See our university web links page for sample links to a number of different universities.