Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
So you're planning to go to uni...
You've reached the time to think about which university and courses to apply for so maybe it's time to think about what uni will be like so you will be prepared for your new life as a uni student. There are many differences between school and university. Here are some comments from first year Macquarie students about what they wished they'd known before they started.
- "I didn't think it would be such hard work"
- "The lecturers speak so quickly it is hard to get everything down"
- "I didn't know what a tutorial was"
- "You get essays and assignments given with a due date and after that it's up to you"
- "The library is huge and different from the school library"
- "University isn't at all what I expected"
- "No-one checks if you attend lectures so it's easy to get behind"
- "The lectures are enormous – I have one that has about 450 students"
It's good to be prepared ... some questions answered
How will I find my way around such a big campus?
It's a good idea to visit the university before you enrol. The campus is open to anyone and a couple of hours wandering around will help you to get a feel for the lay out of the buildings. You can find a campus map and places of interest to see by visiting http://www.ofm.mq.edu.au/maps_campus.htm.
Go to the Union Building for a coffee and something to eat, check out the library and its services, check out the facilities at the Gym. By doing this you will feel more at ease when you arrive to enrol or start classes.
How many hours of classes will I have a week?
This will depend on your course. Humanities and Social Sciences generally have two one hour lectures and a one hour tutorial per week in each unit and sciences tend to have an additional practical component which may be an extra four hours a week.
What is the difference between a lecture and a tutorial?
A lecture is normally held in a large theatre with up to 500 students and one lecturer. The lecturer speaks at normal speaking speed and shows overheads and you are expected to take down relevant notes during the lecture.
A tutorial is a smaller group lead by a tutor in which students are expected to participate and discuss lecture material and compulsory readings. Sometimes you will be asked to present your own work to the tutorial group.
Are lectures and tutorials compulsory?
No one will check if you attend a lecture or not but tutorials are compulsory and your tutor may keep a check on attendance. However you should attend all classes as the work is covered very quickly and catching up is difficult.
Borrowing other people's notes is a last resort (if you are sick or otherwise can't attend for a good reason) as they probably won't make much sense to you.
My note taking and essay writing skills aren't very good, what can I do?
Macquarie University has plenty of help available at no charge. To find out more visit
Note Taking
http://www.sss.mq.edu.au/counselling/workshops/learning.htm
Essay Writing
http://www.ling.mq.edu.au/support/writing_skills/index.htm
There are plenty of Learning Skills Seminars designed with you in mind.
It's easy to see my teacher at school if I need help. Can I ask my lecturers for help?
Yes, your lecturers will have times they are available to see students and they will welcome your questions.
How will I know where to find them?
All Departments have a building where the lecturers have offices. Most lecturers will give you details of how and when they can be contacted in the first lecture. The Macquarie University website has a staff directory with details of how to contact people also.
Will I need to be able to use a computer?
Most assignments at university need to be word processed so you should be able to use a word processor. If you do not have one at home there are computers available in the library and at other places around the university for your use.
What about using the web and other computer related skills?
In this age of IT you will need to be familiar with other uses ofcomputers such as using the web and searching for references in the library.
To find a list of all the Library and IT courses to help you negotiate the computers at uni you can visit http://www.lib.mq.edu.au/training/
What does the university do to help me survive the first few weeks?
The Macquarie Transition Program holds an Academic Orientation day for first year students. You will meet staff and students from your area of study, get an introduction to the library and its services, find out about on line learning and computer related services and many other aspects of university life to help you adjust to being a uni student.
Expect university to be different from school but it is a great experience and the more you involve yourself with the people and the resources available, the more you will enjoy it.