What is Orientation Week ? : A comprehensive guide on what to expect during O-week

For thousands of students finishing high school, it is always a big sigh of relief when your desired university emails you their acceptance letter. Few months of wild parties and travel later, you realise that the "you" that was always so meticulous about everything, has no clue about university life transition.

While you sit in your chair nervously looking through online resources for an outlook into uni life, suddenly you get this email about Orientation week from the university. Wonder what this is all about? Well look no further, download our Sydney Uni Orientation week app from Play Store/Apple store and we will get you familiarised with O-week in no time.

1. Planning your degree and getting information about lectures/tutorials/practicals

Even if you have no clue about what, where and how your lectures are taking place or what units are core for your degree, this is a good place to start. During O-week, you have an unique opportunity to speak to your unit coordinators, lecturers and staff. 

Try to talk to as many people as you can even if it seems daunting at the beginning, all the university staff are always delighted to help an enthusiastic student. This will help you in long term as you will be way ahead of your peers and less stressed out during assignment weeks. 

Collect pamphlets and flyers as they are a useful source of information in case you forget something. However, most of the information are also easily accessible on university websites and student center as well. For each venue or stall you visit, make sure you the collect O-week points to get some free goodies to start off your year. There will be more information about this point system later on. 

2. Go and attend the faculty welcome programs and other informative lectures 

During the course of O-week, different faculties will run their welcome programs or mentoring programs. These can be booked through the Orientation app and can provide crucial information about degree. Not only does it give you a chance to hear from your lecturers but you get to meet senior students with the same degree and get their individual perspective and tips about how they handled university life.

You also get to meet new people for the first time during these events. Personally, I met majority of my university friends through these programs as it was easy to meet people with similar interests. However, even if you don't end up making new friends during these events, it is a valuable experience that will definitely give u an advantage over other students.

Overall, this is an opportunity to get answers to any questions you may have before attending your first lectures.

3.Library/Campus Tours and Workshops 

Just like moving to a new school, starting university is a completely new environment. It takes a little bit of time to familiarise yourself completely with your surroundings during the start of the semester.

If you are looking to get a head start in this department, I highly recommend you attend some of the campus or library tours that the university staff run daily during O-week. These tours only take about 15 mins and give you tips about where and which places are important or good for studying.

Even more helpful, are the workshops that run during O-week that will help you familiarise with different resources that the university uses throughout the semester. Knowing how to use resources such as Canvas (everything online  is on this pretty much), ED and Piazza just to name some are crucial if you want to stay up to date throughout the semester.

You can also attend some academic workshops during the week if you are unsure or want to revise after a long time on your writing/note taking/reading skills, just to give a few examples. These are held in lecture halls around the campus and it can also be a good exercise to get familiar with them.

4. Collecting O-week points 

This year we will be introducing a point system during O-week which will be accessible through our Orientation App. We are doing this to promote an environment where people can be rewarded for coming to O-week or sharing information between their friends. 

Every like, share or comment on our posts related to Orientation week will give you points. Also, turning up to events during O-week can earn you points as well.  Just bring your phone and ask the people at the event and scan the code to get free points.

What can you even do with these points? Good question. Our various sponsors for O-week have given away lots of free goodies for you to collect. Its all yours to collect!

5.Clubs and Societies 

Whether it be chocolate appreciation society, the beer appreciation society or the local basketball club at UYSD, universities offer a wide range of different activities that adhere to a diverse variety of students. 

As such, one of our biggest attraction during O-week will be the different club stalls and events that will be up and running throughout the week. 

Make sure you have a plan and take some time to go to different clubs and societies during the week! 

I would also recommend that you check out your own faculty's club as they often provide you with opportunities for networking with industry leaders. 

6. Parties and O-week games 

Although a big emphasis for O-week is familiarising yourself with the university and its environment. There is also however room for socialising during O-week.

Throughout the week, numerous different events like parties, games or comedy nights are available. These give a great opportunity to have some fun and meet up with other unfamiliar places.

Don't be shy and remember that everyone is in the same shoes as you. Try to get out of your comfort zone and you may find a familiar face or two to sit next to in lectures or tutorials.