UWA STUDENT GUILD
STUDENT SURVIVAL guide 2018
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STUDENT SURVIVAL GUIDE
WELCOME TO UWA! Congrats, it’s official! Now that you’ve picked and enrolled into your units, it’s time to get stuck into orientation – you’re a real uni student! UWA is an incredible place to be and I’m so happy that you’ve decided to make it your home. My time at uni has been a blast, and all of my favourite memories have been made right here in our amazing campus culture scene. This guide will help you make the most out of your first year at uni, no matter what your interests are and whether your goal is to be a social butterfly or the proud owner of as many high distinctions as possible. Get involved, reach out, don’t be afraid to try new things and remember that the Guild has always got your back. See you around!
Megan Lee 105th Guild President
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UWA STUDENT GUILD
CONTENTS 02
WELCOME TO UWA
04
FIRST WEEK BASICS
07
GET INVOLVED
09
GET VALUE
11
GET SUPPORT
13
IMPORTANT STUFF
14
TOP TIPS
The UWA Student Guild acknowledges that UWA is situated on Whadjuk Noongar land and pays respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
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STUDENT SURVIVAL GUIDE
first week basics Week 1 is mainly about settling in and getting to know how things work at UWA. You’ll attend your first lectures and hear about what’s in store for you. Here are some key details to help you get through it… GET TO UWA In your first year, you generally won’t be eligible for a student parking permit. If you need to drive, you can park in the pay and display areas around the uni or in the streets of Nedlands (just check the time restrictions). But we’d recommend carpooling, catching public transport or riding your bike! The 950 bus from Elizabeth Quay comes directly to UWA and QEII every 5-10 minutes. If you’ll cycle to uni, you can register to park your bike securely and use the endof-trip facilities (like showers and lockers) around campus by filling out the form at transport.uwa.edu.au/cycling. GET CONNECTED Log in to Unifi (the campus wifi network) using your student number and Pheme password. Check your student emails frequently, because that’s how your teachers will contact you. Check out AskUWA to set it up on your Outlook/Mail app or phone. Use OneSearch to search the Libraries’
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UWA STUDENT GUILD
Your campus card Around the start of semester you’ll get your campus card – your official UWA student ID. You need your campus card to use the library printers, access certain buildings and computer labs after hours, and sit your exams. With your Guild sticker on it, you can also get heaps of discounts. If you lose it, get a replacement ASAP at Student Central!
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STUDENT SURVIVAL GUIDE
print and online collections. Print from your laptop to a Library printer through Webprint (print.uwa. edu.au). Need IT help? Head to any Library information desk.
classes plus outside reading and assignments), so set up a good study system from the start! Pick up your FREE Guild diary from the Guild Student Centre (ground floor, Guild Village). Use it to plan out your study time as well as work and social
TIP: UWA students can get Microsoft
commitments! The UWA Assignment
Office 365 for free! Google “UWA
Calculator (bit.ly/AssignmentCalculator)
Microsoft Office 365”.
can help you create a timeline for
DON’T GET LOST Give yourself plenty of time to find
research, planning and writing each assignment.
your classrooms. This campus is BIG!
GET HELP
There’s a campus map in the Guild
If you have questions or need
diary (p. 26), and the Lost on Campus
directions, our friendly team of expert
app is super handy too. Once you find
students is here for you! Drop into the
the right building, look for maps or
Guild Student Centre (ground floor,
directories near the entries or ask for
Guild Village). We’re open 8.30am-5pm
directions at any reception desk!
weekdays.
GET FED
Avoid hanger! Check the Guild diary (p. 22) for a map of food outlets on
reid library
parking
that are free to use, and your Faculty Society may even have a Common Room (usually with a fridge, kettle, microwave, and sometimes a sandwich
james oval
press or toaster)! There are also
oak lawn
some great cheap food spots along Broadway and Hampden Road. Plus there are vending machines dotted around campus. GET ORGANISED You’re expected to do about ten hours of study per unit per week (that’s
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guild student centre
guild village
hackett drive
campus. Most cafes have microwaves
UWA STUDENT GUILD
get involved Uni isn’t just about classes – there’s SO much else going on! With over 24,000 students, 160 clubs, and 1000 events per year, trust us: you’ll never be bored.
TIP: Check your student email every Sunday evening for our e-newsletter, Guild Weekly, which lists all the events happening in the upcoming week (along with lots of other useful info and opportunities). Four tips for making friends: • Don’t be afraid to say introduce yourself to other people in the first few weeks. Try to meet at least one person in each of your classes. Chances are they were wanting to say ‘hi’ too! Grab their contact details and keep in touch. • Uni is a fresh start, so don’t feel like you have to talk about high school. A good topic is the class you’re taking, or the next uni event you’re going to. • Greet people you recognise from your classes when you see them around campus. • Get involved in activities on campus! There are heaps to choose from and they’re great way to meet people with CLUBS ARE A GREAT WAY TO MEET
similar interests.
NEW PEOPLE AND PURSUE INTERESTS
Here are a few great ways to meet people
BEYOND YOUR STUDIES. THERE’S
who share your interests:
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE SO GET
• Join a club – there are over 160 covering
INVOLVED AND JOIN A CLUB!
everything from Anime to Zoology.
– Yerim Won, Guild Societies Council
Missed ODAY? Find them at Club
President
Carnival on Tuesday of week 2!
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STUDENT SURVIVAL GUIDE
• Volunteer - Guild Volunteering has hundreds of opportunities, from drop-in ‘Micro-Volunteering’ sessions to weekend trips. Visit their office near the Guild Student Centre. • Write or draw for Pelican – your student magazine. Visit pelicanmagazine.com.au • Join your Faculty Society find out which of the twelve FacSocs represents your major at uwastudentguild.com/facsocs. They run social, sporting, education and career events. Most also have Common Rooms with kitchen and lounge facilities. • Be part of a community - there are heaps of Guild departments that you can get involved in, representing women, LGBT+ students, international students, indigenous students and more. Find deets in the Guild diary (p. 32)! • Get active - Wednesdays 12-2pm are Inter-Faculty Sports - go to uwastudentguild.com/interfac to sign up. There are also Inter-College Sports on weekends if you’re living on campus, and all students can play Social Sports with UWA Sport! Get your heart pumping and have a fun time with new mates.
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COMMON LUNCH HOUR: Tuesday and Friday 1-2pm is Common Lunch Hour, when no classes can be scheduled. Oak Lawn goes off on a Tuesday, with clubs, freebies, food vans, market stalls and music! Fridays are a little quieter, but the University Engineers’ Club (UEC) does a great cheap BBQ outside Clough.
UWA STUDENT GUILD
get value Living on a student budget can be hard. Lucky for you there are heaps of savings and benefits if you know where to look! 1. Flash your Guild membership for discounts in cafes on campus, at UniPrint and at 80+ businesses around Perth. It also entitles you to $2 off membership of Guild-affiliated clubs and heaps of free or cheap events! (See uwastudentguild.com/memberships) 2. Eat at the cheap club BBQs on Tuesdays and Fridays - they’re only a couple of dollars. 3. Visit the Centrelink website to see if you’re eligible for any support! 4. The Guild offers grants, interest-free loans and food vouchers to help with textbooks or unexpected expenses, or even just to get you lunch and a bus ticket when you forget your wallet! (See uwastudentguild.com/assist/financial) 5. Moving out? Read the fine print on your lease to avoid any unexpected costs. And see if you’re eligible for any concessions on your bills! 6. To save on public transport, register your SmartRider on studentConnect – AS A GUILD MEMBER, YOU GET FREE ENTRY TO THE BACKYARD MUSIC FESTIVAL AND OTHER GUILD EVENTS AS WELL AS EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS AT ALL GUILD-RUN CAFES. WHAT A DEAL!
you’ll receive tertiary student fares as long as you’re enrolled full-time. And you’ll get an extra 20% off if you set up Autoload through Transperth! (Don’t have a SmartRider? Pick one up at Campus News & Gifts.)
- Joey Chan, Guild Public Affairs Council President
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STUDENT SURVIVAL GUIDE
TEXTBOOK TIPS You don’t have to buy textbooks before classes start. In your first lecture, they’ll tell you which ones you actually need (heads up: you don’t need to buy all eight on the recommended reading list) and if older editions are okay. Most of the time you can borrow your textbooks from the Library, or buy them from the Secondhand Bookshop in Guild Village.
THE GUILD CARES ABOUT YOUR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE AT UNI. IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS IN THE CLASSROOM, GET IN TOUCH! - Conrad Hogg, Guild Education Council President
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UWA STUDENT GUILD
GET SUPPORT
marking key and your work with you.
Your first uni classes, assessments and
of your mark in an assessment or unit,
exams may be kinda nerve-wracking. But you can always get heaps of help
You have the right to request a review and the Guild’s Student Assist Officers can provide independent, confidential
at UWA.
support to help you navigate the
STUDY STUFF
uwastudentguild.com/assist/academic)
The STUDYSmarter program offers
WHEN THINGS AREN’T GOING WELL
one-on-one and group support with writing assignments, maths skills, time management and heaps more (see bit.
review process smoothly. (See
It’s not unusual to experience stress, mental health concerns and personal
ly/UWAstudysmarter).
problems during your time at university.
Some courses have a PASS/PAL tutor
stressed, or if something’s making
system - check your Unit Outline! You can also search the UWA Facebook community (facebook.com/groups/ groupsatuwa/) to see if there’s a study
If you’re feeling down, worried or study difficult for you, there’s a lot of support available to you. For one-off unforeseeable issues,
group for your units.
like the flu, car crashes and family
The Academic Conduct Essentials
consideration (which means your
(ACE) and Communication and Research Skills (CARS) modules on Blackboard are packed with useful info on how to approach uni assessments and how to avoid landing in hot water over plagiarism or collusion – VERY
breakdowns, you can apply for special Faculty will consider extensions on assignments, deferred exams or other suitable arrangement). The Guild’s friendly Student Assist staff can help you apply.
important.
For ongoing health issues (mental
The UWA Library staff at each of the
alternative assessment arrangements,
six library locations can help you find the resources you need. Just ask! They also have detailed guides to research and referencing online (see library.uwa.
or physical), UniAccess helps with physical access to buildings, and anything else you need throughout your studies. (See bit.ly/uwauniaccess)
edu.au).
There are thousands of applications for
WHAT IF YOUR GRADE DOESN’T
students supported through UniAccess.
SEEM RIGHT?
Getting help is really simple and can
Chat to your lecturer, tutor or unit coordinator who can discuss the
special consideration and hundreds of
save you from having stress about uni while struggling through personal
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STUDENT SURVIVAL GUIDE
issues or illness. Useful free support services on campus
car or bus stop any time – just call them half an hour before.
include:
If anyone is ever in danger on campus,
• Guild Student Assist - our friendly
ensure your own safety, seek support
social workers and counsellor offer
from others, and call UWA Campus
confidential, independent advice and
Security. There are also help points
support on any academic, financial
around the campus: push the help
and welfare issues you may face at
button on these to get a Security
uni, and a helping hand when you’re
Officer sent out to you immediately.
not sure where to go! uwastudentguild.com/assist • Guild student representatives – covering everything from education to welfare (with special representatives for women, international students, LGBT+ students, students with disabilities or chronic illness, etc.), your elected student reps can advocate for change and provide peer support. uwastudentguild.com/contact • UWA Medical Centre (includes GPs, Mental Health Nurse and Alcohol and Drug Counselling Service) - bulk bills for students with a Medicare card. bit.ly/uwamedcentre • UWA Counselling & Psychological Service – offers free, confidential counselling. You’ll need to attend a triage session first. student.uwa.edu.au/counselling SAFETY & SECURITY If you’re at uni late at night, stick to well-lit areas. You can arrange for UWA Security to escort you to your college,
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(emergencies): 6488 2222 (non-emergencies): 6488 3020 bit.ly/uwasecurity
UWA STUDENT GUILD
Important stuff HEALTH & RELATIONSHIPS You have the power to say yes or no,
CHARTER OF RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
and withdraw your consent at any
UWA and the Guild have a Charter of
time. This applies to alcohol, drugs, sex
Student Rights and Responsibilities,
and any activities you participate in
which you can find at the back of the
(at UWA and everywhere else). If you
Guild diary. If you think your rights
do any of these, be safe! Watch your
have been compromised, please
drinks, don’t accept drinks or drugs
contact the Guild.
from strangers, and practice safe sex. Speaking of safe sex, we recommend getting STI checks regularly (ideally with every new partner), using protection, and chatting to a doctor about contraception options.
TIP: Free condoms and dental dams are available from the UWA Medical Centre and the Women’s Room (on the top floor of Guild Village). There
MAKING A COMPLAINT If you have been the victim or witness of any misconduct, you can make a complaint to the University Complaints Resolution Unit. It can be anonymous, and it’s always confidential. The Guild Student Assist team can support you through this and refer you on to other helpful services.
are also tampons and pads in the Women’s Room. You have the right to feel safe and respected on and off campus. If you experience any harassment or assault, or just feel uncomfortable, you can seek help from on-campus services listed on the previous pages, or from numerous off-campus services.
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STUDENT SURVIVAL GUIDE
TOP TIPS You have so much freedom at uni!
Try to contribute in tutorials. We
It’s time to figure out what your
all know it can be hard speaking
talents and passions are – pretty
in front of others, especially those
exciting. On the other hand, you
we don’t know really well but it
might feel like you’re “on your
helps the entire class if everyone
own” compared to high school.
contributes instead of keeping
It’s true, you’re more independent,
silent. What you consider a silly
but everyone’s in the same boat
question probably isn’t and is
and there’s still plenty of support
the same question that the other
available.
students in your class were thinking
We asked other students what they wish they’d known in first year. Here’s some of their great advice… Form/join a study group in your
about! - Michelle Taylor Attend lectures! - Marcel Fernandez
unit/discipline. Ask questions if you’re not sure about something. That’s what lecturers and tutors want you to do. If you have problems or find you’re not coping with your load, talk to someone. Everyone at UWA wants
Sign up for a referencing, time management and STUDYSmarter workshop. On the subject of referencing, download an app or set up a Word template – try not to leave it til last.
you to succeed.
Master the art of notetaking, and
– Yvonne Gunn-Brockhoff
develop your own abbreviations. – Matt Delmenico
Always look after your health, both physical and mental.
An alternative to note-taking in
- Parsa Amid
lectures is to print out the lecture slides and annotate them.
Get involved with things at uni like clubs/volunteering/study groups - I don’t know how else you’d make uni friends otherwise! – Zosia Dabrowski
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– Jess Pantinople
UWA STUDENT GUILD
WANT TO DIVE IN TO UNI LIFE AND HAVE THE CHANCE TO WIN SOME AMAZING PRIZES?
Just complete these simple tasks, fill in the entry form and hand it in at the Guild membership stall at ODAY or Club Carnival, or at the Guild Student Centre any time.
Every entrant will go in the draw for these awesome prizes:
1. Join the Guild. It’s totally free! Visit the Guild Student Centre once you have your campus card to get a membership sticker (which gets you heaps of rad deals) plus a free student diary and other goodies.
• One of two $100 Gold Class movie vouchers
• Two Groove in the Moo tickets (worth $240) • Two Rottnest Express tickets (worth $150) • Four Perth Zoo tickets (worth $124) • One of two $100 Co-op vouchers • One of four $50 Guild cafe vouchers
2. Like the UWA Student Guild Facebook page. Pretty self-explanatory, no? Find it at fb.com/uwastudentguild Entries close 5pm, Friday 9 February 2018.
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STUDENT SURVIVAL GUIDE
CONNECT WITH US uwastudentguild.com
@uwastudentguild
hello@guild.uwa.edu.au
6488 2995
facebook.com/UWAStudentGuild
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