So firstly, HI everyone! There might be some newbies to the QUT student blog out there so I will introduce myself… I’m Emma-Leigh, BUT call me Em please. I’m a second year student, studying psychology and law as a double degree. In this blog, I aim to help all the first years reading this to RELAX!
Uni really does seem daunting at first, especially when you may know nobody (as I did, coming from Bundaberg).But I can promise, it will be okay! I remember at my orientation last year, I didn’t know anyone and I was so nervous. At my orientation lecture for my course, I walked into the humongous lecture room and abruptly took my seat at the back so I could watch everyone else wonder into the room. I felt like such a loner, but as the room started to become fuller and fuller, it became apparent that someone will end up sitting next to me, since the room is supposed to be full for today’s lecture. In the end, I was right. A girl walked down the row I was sitting in and sat next to me with a big smile on her face. Being the person I am, I introduced myself to her, “Hey, My name’s Emma-Leigh,” I said. And now we are great friends. That’s how I started most of my friendships at uni. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to the person next to you and make friends, because it benefits you in so many ways!
Now the studying… Everyone has a different way of studying that works for them. I’ll share with you some of mine. From the start of the semester, I like to be organised. As soon as the Blackboard page for each unit opens I go through and read the important information that is required to be read before the first lecture starts. I write assessment due dates in my diary, print out the weekly timetable and get an idea of what the unit is going to be about. I don’t usually get my textbooks until the first week of uni to make sure I have got the right ones and only the necessary ones.
In many units, we are given readings and other tasks that should be completed before the following week. I think this is essential in order to do well at uni. I know that reading a chapter for just one subject a week can be a pain, but it’s worth it in the end. When it comes to assignments, I start well before they are due, this way I can gradually work on them at my own pace as the ideas flow to my brain, NOT at the last minute where I am just using whatever comes to my mind in the 3 hours before it’s due and then thinking after I handed it in, “I should have put that in there.” It’s important to start early, that way you have plenty of time to think about the task and plenty of time to edit. Likewise, with exams, I try to start studying 2 weeks before an exam starts so I can gradually put the information in my long-term memory. But hey, it sometimes doesn’t always work out, when you have three other exams to study for. BUT that is what I aim to do. Those are just some of my study tips, it works for me, but people study differently. Oh and, attending lectures and tutorials are a must in order to get good grades for most people.
One last thing for this blog newbies, have fun!! Each year, O Week is getting bigger and better. There are so many cool events to go to and to have lots of fun at. There is Bare Foot Lawn Bowls, Student Guild Bar Nights, The Amazing Race and of course the TOGA party this Friday night. There is so much to be involved in at uni and so much fun to have. Although we get busy studying, it’s important to have fun occasionally also. So live it up ! 
If you have any questions, I can try my best to answer them!
Have a fantastic year newbies!
Em
Chemistry first year students – if you can’t find your other chemistry kids amongst the other science majors, jump on over to the QUT Chemistry Society and find like minded chemistry nerds (cool kids).
http://www.facebook.com/QUTChemSoc
Hi Em,
This is Syed from India. There goes my intro…. though I’m an IT Student hope to see you around in the next sem July ’12 when I join
Take Care. And thanks for the Wonderful Blog.
Cheers,
Syed
Hi Em!
I loved your post about first impressions at QUT !!!
Unfortunately, I had some problems with my VISA and it was not issued until last week. Due to it, I needed to postpone my flight and I am going to arrive in Brisbane only on 26th feb.
I am very, very concerned about O Week, because I missed all the events (essential and recommended ones)!!
What I can do? Please, give me some advices about it!
Please, help me!!
See u!
Maria Silvia (from Brazil)
Hi Maria
Don’t panic if you don’t know anyone yet! there’s great ways to meet people at uni:
1) Turn up early to class so you have time to introduce yourself to people in the room
2) Join clubs and societies you may be interested in. Eg. the sailing club (where I belong) is super cool: we do bbqs, parties, sailing, water activities and generally have lots of fun. We even do weekend and week-long trips.
3) Join the Facbook international Brisbane students 2012 for all the insider’s info on what’s happening.
4) Go to your campus’ International Student Services and sign up for the upcoming trips. I hear there’s a Byron Bay one at the end of March
5) Join QUT East West, a society that does lunches, cofees, meetings, parties etc.
I’m sure you’ll be fine! Don’t panic.
Links:
QUT East West website http://www.eastwest.qut.edu.au/
Sailing Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/18331101512/ Our first trip of the semester is this Sunday. Give me a text/call if you need more info 0458 292 011
Int’l students facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/189452807796001/
Good luck!
Maria Silvia – if you need help settling in my Portuguese is not bad – give me a shout
ZUP EM! thanks for the useful tips. really appreciate it as a newbie of the uni.
Hi Em,
Thank you so much for sharing your uni life experience with us. I really impressed about your thoughts on uni life. Could you please let me know how to find about QUT clubs online?
(I am a first year Civil Engineering student.)
Wish you all the best.
Triple Gem bless you!
Kushlani from Sri Lanka.
Hi Em,
This is May from Hong Kong. I am the newbies!!! =P
Your post is very nice! It’s true that we need a smile on every first lecture in order to meet new fds! =]
Looking forward to your new post about uni life in the future! =]
May Yuen, Media and Comm
Hi Maria!
Don’t be too worried about missing orientation week – Although it is a great experience and is useful for getting yourself acquainted with the uni it is not the be all and end all. There’s plenty of support, especially for an international student like yourself, whenever you need it at uni. If you have any problems, start by setting up an appointment with your unit co-ordinator who you should be able to get in contact with when you get here and go from there.
Good luck with your studies!
Simone
Hello All,
I will be joining Advanced Masters(IMC) in Business School in July fall. I am Argho from India.. Am looking for a One Bedroom Flat.. So guys help me in finding that..
Regards
ARgho
Hey I am applying to do Bachelor of Applied Science (forensics) starting in second semester.. I was thinking of doing both first and second semester together. Am I biting off more than I can chew?
Hello Trish,
There are limits to the number subjects you can enrol in, with the usual load four subjects each semester. Students are able to enrol in more subjects, depending on their course progression and other criteria set by their faculty, but there is a limit. You would not be able to enrol in eight subjects in one semester.
cheers
The QUT Team