How was your first week? Are you a new student at QUT or a continuing student? Here is some tips for you to go through in the first couple of weeks.
1. Check your classes
Last thing you want is to walk into a wrong class and realise that it's wrong in the middle of the class. Check the room number carefully on your timetable and make sure that you know where they are. For example, if you have a class in Q block, make sure you know where Q block is.
2. Prepare for your classes
Most of tutorials start in week 2 but you need to be ready for it. Make sure you have pens, pencils, and notebooks. I recommend having separate notebooks for each unit and also for lecture and tutorials so that it's easy to follow when you prepare for the final exams.
3. Get textbooks
If your units have mandatory textbooks, make sure you grab a copy. You have three places you can go. Bookshop, second hand bookshop and library. If you are on tight budget, you will probably want to grab a copy from second hand bookshop or library. Second hand bookshop in Gardens Point is hard to find. It's sort of hiding behind the Artisan's cafe. Most of textbooks will be sold in the first couple of weeks so if then do, next place you can try is library.
Before you walk into library and say "do you have the BSB... or ENB... textbook?", make sure you know the title and author of the textbook. Librarians don't know which is the subscribed mandatory book. The book title and author is on the book list on your QUT Virtual. Once you know, you can find out whether library has a copy available or by searching in the library catalogue. If library don't have any available, next place you can try is the Bonus +.
1. Check your classes
Last thing you want is to walk into a wrong class and realise that it's wrong in the middle of the class. Check the room number carefully on your timetable and make sure that you know where they are. For example, if you have a class in Q block, make sure you know where Q block is.
2. Prepare for your classes
Most of tutorials start in week 2 but you need to be ready for it. Make sure you have pens, pencils, and notebooks. I recommend having separate notebooks for each unit and also for lecture and tutorials so that it's easy to follow when you prepare for the final exams.
3. Get textbooks
If your units have mandatory textbooks, make sure you grab a copy. You have three places you can go. Bookshop, second hand bookshop and library. If you are on tight budget, you will probably want to grab a copy from second hand bookshop or library. Second hand bookshop in Gardens Point is hard to find. It's sort of hiding behind the Artisan's cafe. Most of textbooks will be sold in the first couple of weeks so if then do, next place you can try is library.
Before you walk into library and say "do you have the BSB... or ENB... textbook?", make sure you know the title and author of the textbook. Librarians don't know which is the subscribed mandatory book. The book title and author is on the book list on your QUT Virtual. Once you know, you can find out whether library has a copy available or by searching in the library catalogue. If library don't have any available, next place you can try is the Bonus +.
For example, this is one of the most popular textbooks for accounting students. On the right, you can see the green box where it says "Not available?", click the link to see if there are copies available from Bonus +. Bonus + is a system where you can borrow books from other universities. It takes 4-7 days to arrive and your books won't get recalled which means you can borrow for 60 days minimum. When requesting a book from Bonus +, if you have option to, select the one from universities that are closer to QUT so that you will get the book sooner. I recommend Bonus + than placing a hold so that you don't have to bring back the book sooner than then its due date.
4. Review your commitments over the semester
Do you have work outside of uni? Have you signed up for any volunteering work? Make sure that those are manageable with your study. Your priority is your study. Once tutorial commences, if you feel you don't have enough time to study, you will need to think about whether quitting your job or whatever you signed up, OR reducing your study by withdrawing from units. Now if you withdraw from any units, make sure you do that before the census date and also get some advise from your faculty.
5. Pay your fees and the Student Amenity fees, return any overdue books to library and enjoy your uni life!
If you have any payments, make sure they are all paid before the census date. Otherwise you could get sanctions etc. If you have any overdue books, make sure you return them soon. If you don't, you can get fines and sanctions in the worst case.
And one last thing, enjoy your uni life! Uni life is all about learn to be independent, be self-motivated and be a good friend to the person you sit next to in the lecture. Don't be afraid to speak to other classmates and make a lot of friends!
Article by Sae
Find more about Sae
4. Review your commitments over the semester
Do you have work outside of uni? Have you signed up for any volunteering work? Make sure that those are manageable with your study. Your priority is your study. Once tutorial commences, if you feel you don't have enough time to study, you will need to think about whether quitting your job or whatever you signed up, OR reducing your study by withdrawing from units. Now if you withdraw from any units, make sure you do that before the census date and also get some advise from your faculty.
5. Pay your fees and the Student Amenity fees, return any overdue books to library and enjoy your uni life!
If you have any payments, make sure they are all paid before the census date. Otherwise you could get sanctions etc. If you have any overdue books, make sure you return them soon. If you don't, you can get fines and sanctions in the worst case.
And one last thing, enjoy your uni life! Uni life is all about learn to be independent, be self-motivated and be a good friend to the person you sit next to in the lecture. Don't be afraid to speak to other classmates and make a lot of friends!
Article by Sae
Find more about Sae