What to Expect
... Students and Parents
University is different from school and often the transition from one to the other can cause some students to experience difficulties finding their feet and settling in. They go from being a big fish in a little pond to a little fish in a big pond, which can be very daunting.
Some of the areas which may cause concern are:
|
|
The University provides assistance to students in all these areas and the role of the Macquarie Transition Program is to introduce new students to the basics of university study and ways of accessing additional help if it is needed.
Although at University students are expected to be much more independent than at school, you are not completely on your own in a system that doesn't care.
Academic Orientation days
These are held just before the commencement of classes to assist first year students:
- learn about the free services available to them at University ( Learning Skill Seminars on Getting Organised, Note-taking, Essay writing, Coping with Stress and many others)
- become familiar with the library and its staff and facilities
- use the University email and on-line learning
- become acquainted with the Campus and its facilities
- meet and ask questions of staff and students from their Division of study
The Macquarie Transition Program, together with the Public Relations Unit and Macquarie University Alumni, is keen to assist students and parents in their preparation for University.
Macquarie University already provides a number of opportunities to assist prospective students make the transition.
- Open Day (September 13, 2003)
- Advising Day (January 5, 2004)
- Family Orientation Evening (late March 2004)
- Library access for students
- Presentations at schools on all aspects of study at university for students and parents
- Students and parents are welcome to come to Macquarie University and walk around the campus. Visit the Library, Museums and Collections, Art Gallery and the Sculpture Park (see www.mq.edu.au/community for more information)
We also encourage you to explore this website which will be updated and added to during the year, so maintaining regular visits will keep you informed of new services and events.
If you have any questions regarding the Transition Program please contact:
Sandie Rudman
Development and Research Officer
Macquarie Transition Program
Ph: (02) 9850 8636
email: transition@mq.edu.au