Academic transition
One of the biggest challenges for new students is coping with the new and very different academic demands of university. Students coming from school will notice dramatic differences between secondary and tertiary education, and students who have had a gap year or a longer break might find it difficult to readjust to academic work itself. International students usually take some time to learn to study in an Australian context, particularly if English is not your first language.
Below is a list of the more common issues faced by students - have a look and check if there are any that you wouldn't have anticipated - and some links to helpful resources.
| Common issues | Tip | Resources |
- Teaching and learning: Not only will you have to adjust to new styles of teaching, you might even have to get used to a different style of teaching for each of the subjects you study. Also, the way you learn at university may be very different to the methods you've used before.
- Class formats: You will be in unfamiliar class formats such as lectures, tutorials and practical sessions.
- Assessment formats: Most students take time to learn what is expected in a university-level essay, lab report or exam.
- Independence: You will find that a new level of independence is expected of you: you will need to be a lot more self-motivated and work out for yourself how much study to do.
- Grade structure: The different grade structure at university can result in marks lower than you might be accustomed to.
- Volume and pace: Depending on your subjects you might find that the amount of work, and the speed at which you need to learn, increases noticeably.
- Contact hours: Students' experiences vary depending on their course: some will have a very full timetable of 30 class hours a week, while others may have only 12, but a lot of your study and research time will take place outside your actual class contact hours.
It might all sound a little difficult, but most students enjoy the challenge, the academic rigour, and the chance to study the subjects they're really interested in. You will be learning from people who are also undertaking some of the major research contributing to their field, and be expected to contribute your own views and opinions. You will find yourself developing new study skills and building on the ones you used to get to university. While independence is key, remember that this doesn't mean you're completely on your own: academic staff and student support staff and other students are there to help, just ask!
Tip: Your lecturers and tutors are usually very happy to help with academic issues. Just remember that they have a lot of students and other demands on their time, so make an appointment to see them by phone, email, or check their consultation hours on their office door. When you go to the appointment, have a specific and direct question - and do this early, not just the day before your assignment is due!
- Transition support programs: Find out what programs are happening in your course.
- AIRport (Academic Interactive Resources Portal): An interactive website with exercises specifically designed to help first-year and international undergraduate students acquire and develop academic skills.
- Centre for Indigenous Education: Support services for indigenous students.
- Student Portal: Gateway to important information for all current students.
- Disability Liaison Unit: A free and confidential service to enrolled students with disabilities.
- Student IT: Computer labs, email, information on improving your IT skills.
- Academic Skills Unit: Advice and instruction on academic and language skills.
- Library: Resources, facilities and services.
- School of Graduate Research: Graduate student support.
- Student Expectations and Responsibilities Policy: What you can expect of the Uni, and what the Uni expects of you.
- Student Union: Advisory Service, computing facilities, Education Officers.