Try it out
So that you can determine whether a course or university is going to be the right one for you, you need to explore it for yourself first. The way to do this is to try to find out as much information about the course and institution as you can. There are a number of ways that you can do this:
| A day on campus | University programs | Open Days | Course Information Day |
Spend a day on campus
There are a number of opportunities for you to spend time on a university campus, either as part of a designated program organised by your school or an event such as Open Day. You could even pay a visit to a university campus by yourself - no-one will stop you from having a wander about and soaking up the atmosphere.
Just walking around a university campus, looking at the buildings or eating in one of the cafes can give you an idea of how the university feels to you. Spending some time in the university library doing your homework is also a great way to discover not only how the library systems operate, but also to see uni students at work.
Most campuses will have activities running seven days a week and also at night, usually oragnised by the Student Union. Plays, art exhibitions, public lectures, music performances and sporting events are just a few of the activities that contribute to the vibrancy of a university campus.
Most universities will run public lectures and other events which are open to everyone to attend. Have a look at the Events site to find out what's happening at Melbourne. You could also check out our fortnightly newspaper The University of Melbourne Voice to discover what is on.
Universities also run a number of different programs, which are created for secondary school students and teachers. Contact your Careers Adviser or Year 12 Coordinator to find out what programs are available. For information on the programs offered by Melbourne, have a look at the Future Students Events web page.
In particular, Melbourne's Master Class program offers Year 10 students the chance to participate in a series of lectures, workshops and practical classes specially designed to showcase the university experience. Attending a Master Class will give you a personal insight to the way universities work and exposure to new and exciting fields of study.
All universities will have designated times when they host Open Days to enable prospective students to investigate their courses, facilities and programs. The University of Melbourne's Open Day is a great opportunity to see the institution in action, meet staff and students and have your questions answered.
Before attending an Open Day it's important to think about questions you might want to ask so that you can find out about the courses that institution offers. You can then compare how these courses differ from other institutions. Open Days also allow you to talk to current students about what it is like to be a student in a specific course and uni, sit in a lecture theatre, visit an information technology lab and soak up the atmosphere of the campus.
Once you have your VCE results, you need expert advice so you can place your final course preferences. The University of Melbourne's Course Information Day can help you with these important decisions, so make the most of your Change of Preference time.
During the day you will be able to attend faculty information sessions, talk to current students, tour the campus and find out about the selection process for courses and how your ENTER score will be considered. You will also be able to investigate your options at the University such as studying part-time, career opportunities for graduates, fee-based enrolments, deferring, concurrent diplomas, clubs and societies, the Student Ambassador Leadership Program, Orientation and the enrolment process.
The University of Melbourne's Change of Preference Guide, available in October, contains useful information about the University, the clearly-in ranks, an overview of selection, a new courses update and some tips to help you through the Change of Preference time. Guides are sent to all Victorian schools. Ensuring that you have your preferences arranged properly is critical for the selection process and can be the difference between securing a place in the course of your choice and missing out on a first round offer.
Think, explore and take advantage of the resources that are available to get your preferences right!