We offer a campus-wide orientation program each semester for new students, activities and resources for first year students and parents to ease the transition into your new surroundings, as well as in-person advice and support about all the issues you may face as a new student at UWA.

Semester One, 2012, Orientation Week: Monday 20 February – Friday 24 February

1. What Orientation is all about
2. What happens during Orientation
3. Why attend
4. Mature age orientation
5. If you can't attend Orientation

What Orientation is all about

Starting university is an exciting, challenging and sometimes confusing time.

It involves meeting lots of new and varied people, changing your lifestyle, getting used to a new environment and learning new things in new ways. It's a challenging time – whether you're making the move from high school to uni or returning to study as a mature age student.

Orientation is designed to make this transition to first time study a lot easier. It gives you the chance to meet people and become familiar with the campus and key academic staff according to your area of study.

A comprehensive orientation program is provided that covers academic course information, support and services available to students, information about technology and student life. A physical orientation to the campus and key support areas is provided to students.

You have the opportunity to attend key activities according to your area of interest or degree-specific major on particular days during the week – and can attend general information sessions regarding student life and supports on any day you choose.

During Orientation you'll be able to sort out any problems, make sense of your timetable and get answers to your questions about how things work here. Our aim is for you to feel confident about being a UWA student and starting classes.You will have core activities that will be very important to attend and details of these can be found on the UniStart website.

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What happens during Orientation

The first four days of O-Week include activities specific to your “areas of interest”: Monday/Arts, Tuesday/Commerce, Wednesday/Design/ Engineering Science, Computing and Mathematics and Thursday/Science. You are encouraged to attend any of the days of interest and you can attend as often as you like. Special non course activities are planned each day and are highly recommended to attend. These include Student Life sessions such as housing, support and campus services, and 'Studying at UWA' sessions.

All students will participate in O-Quest which is a campus activity designed to help you find their way around campus. Each group is lead by a UniMentor and it’s a great chance to meet other students in your faculty – your mentor will show you to your key venues for activities on your day of interest. Lots of team activities and giveaways are included.

The final day of O-Week is the Commencement Ceremony and O-Day which occurs on Friday 24th February 2012. The Commencement Ceremony in Somerville Theatre commences at 10.00am which includes the official Welcome by the Vice Chancellor and Guild President.

At the conclusion of the event, you will follow a procession to James Oval for the Guild O-Day Festival, one of the largest events organised by the Guild for new students. James Oval is a hive of activity with Guild Clubs and Faculty Societies, sporting groups and other community groups providing information and displays about their various programs and what’s available for students. Music and food, giveaways and promotions are all a part of the activities, with the day’s festivities ending with a feature band on Oak Lawn.

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Why attend

If you are a new undergraduate student, don't miss Orientation.

Orientation varies for every student according to your area of interest or degree-specific major. To assist you in deciding the sessions to attend during Orientation, we provide suggested activities on the UniStart website. Follow the steps to the orientation section and nominate your area of interest – this will provide you with specific event information and advice about what you need to attend.

The University expects all new students to attend and take part in orientation activities.

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Mature age orientation

Mature age orientation and welcome is held during Orientation Week and is designed to give you a head start when you begin your studies. Mature age students (20+) will receive an invitation that outlines the program.

On the day you will have the opportunity to:

• meet and mix with other new mature age students to help you develop your support network at UWA
• find out how to develop good study habits and access the learning support that is offered at UWA
• get some tips from mature age students who have been successful at University
• meet key staff from Student Services, including the first year coordinator and UniSkills coordinator.

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If you can't attend Orientation

We understand that it will not be possible for all new students to attend Orientation.

If you cannot attend, it is important that you contact us so that we can assist you in seeking out the information that you will need to begin class.

One of the excellent supports that we can offer is to link you to UniMentor, where an experienced student can assist you in your transition.

Students who can’t attend orientation can view recorded information sessions. This will be available here after Orientation.

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