Settling into a new environment can sometimes be a daunting task. Whether you’re coming to university straight from high school, have taken a gap year, or are starting your journey as a mature age student, it can be difficult to settle into your new Curtin environment. Below are five tips to help you adjust to your new university life.
- Do your research
The best way to feel prepared for a new adventure is to prepare in advance. Check out the Curtin website and look at the facilities available. Download your unit outlines see what is expected of you in your degree. Preparing for this new venture is a great way to feel in control.
- Take a campus tour
During O-Week, group tours of the campus are available. This is a great way to meet new people who are also starting their University journey, speak to current students and learn your way around the campus.
- Get into a routine
Classes can often be scheduled at all different times of the day. A great way to stay on top of classes and your other commitments is to create a routine at the start of semester. Finding a routine that allows you to attend all your classes, do your assignments, work and maintain other commitments can sometimes be a challenge. Once you find the best routine for you, you’ll wonder what you ever did without it! A great way to implement a routine is by having it written down on a whiteboard or in checklist form for you to follow.
- Join a club!
A great way to meet new people and settle into your environment is by joining a club! Most disciplines have a student club or chapter you can join and be a part of. These clubs will have events you can attend and help you meet other people in your degree.
- Plan your study
At university, a lot of the learning you will do will be self-regulated. This can be a big change to the often ‘spoon-fed’ method of learning that is used in other areas of education. A great way to ensure you are staying on top of your work is by having a calendar or a planner you can take with you to class. This will help you keep track of all your assignment dates.
Adjusting to a new environment can take some time, so don’t worry if everything doesn’t go to plan on your first day or during your first few weeks! It’s important to remember there are a lot of other people in the same situation as you and we can all help each other. Try these five tips to give yourself the best start to your new journey.
Written by public relations student Taysha Sullivan
Plan your O-Week using your Personalised Orientation Planner
To view all your compulsory academic and elective sessions, visit your Personalised Orientation Planner via OASIS.
