The time you’ve been waiting for since you received your uni offer is here. University Orientation week is your big debut into the world of tertiary education and the ultimate opportunity to step outside your comfort zone as you brace yourself for your new life as a uni student.
Whether you’ve travelled from interstate or just across town to start the next exciting chapter as an on-campus student, Orientation is your official welcome to Charles Sturt University.
Our campuses will be a thriving hub of excitement each February, with all our on-campus students invited to take part in an action-packed week of events. You’ll get the chance to familiarise yourself with your course and campus, meet our friendly staff and find out about services to help you through your studies.
Here’s your guide to conquering Orientation.
Learn who’s who in the zoo
Orientation is your crash course for all the fun and games that are yet to come. Our events give you a great start to uni and are heaps of fun. Attend as many events as you can to settle in and start making friends before you start studying. We cover everything from the academic to social sides of uni, and you can discover the support available to you throughout your journey at Charles Sturt.
As a new student, you can choose your own adventure by building your orientation calendar online. Pick and mix from a smorgasbord of information sessions and activities that will set you on the right track to start your studies. Gain insight into your course and meet the academic staff that you’ll get to know thanks to our small class sizes.
Find your tribe
If you’ve ever wanted to be part of a tight-knit group of people who get your passion for anime, share you fascination with beekeeping or who love nothing more than to chinwag over a shared interest, it’s your time to shine and maybe even discover a new hobby.
Whether you want to join a club based on your course, hobbies or social, sporting, cultural or spiritual interests, there are loads of clubs to choose from. Or you may even be able to start up a club of your own.
Register or express your interest in clubs such as the Fire Twirling Guild, Ultimate Frisbee, Green Adventure People and a great range of sporting and cultural clubs at Clubs Day held during Orientation.
So keep an open mind and your eyes peeled for clubs based at your campus location. A new role as the captain of the rugby union team or president of the Physiotherapy Club could really spruce up your résumé!
Become an explorer
If you’re an out-of-towner who’s getting set to live away from home for the first time, or you’re a local who’s itching to get on campus to check out the facilities and services, you’ll be able to get out and explore the campus grounds with all of the other newbies.
Feeling lost, overwhelmed or excited beyond belief? Chances are there’s a few hundred other students feeling the same. The good news is we’re here to help! You can even check out a campus map for your study location before you head out.
Take the opportunity to get to know your campus and the facilities and services available to you by attending information sessions or going on a campus tour. There will be plenty of our friendly staff on hand to offer helpful advice, directions and tips on where you can get you next caffeine fix. Remember, we’re all in this together!
Get social
There are plenty of opportunities to make friends from the start at our Orientation festivities. From theme nights and live bands to Market Day and the rite-of-passage toga night, you’re sure to have a blast. Get to know students in the same boat as you from different courses and start to form friendships that will grow throughout your uni studies. You’ll be part of the family right away.
Studying online?
Orientation activities for new online students are available too! There are some great opportunities for you to build your writing, referencing and time management skills. As an enrolled student, you’ll be able to brush up on your skills and give yourself the best shot at success by registering for your choice of the following via the student portal. You’ll be able to access the student site once you’ve received your student log in details.
- Academic Success Online Orientation
- Advancing your referencing
- From Start to Submit: Writing successful assessments 1: Getting started
- From Start to Submit: Writing successful assessments 2: Being a researcher
- Introduction to Essay Writing
- Introduction to Library services
- Kickstart to referencing
- Kickstart to study
- Looking after your bottom line
- Manage your time for success
- Online orientation workshop
- Start strong at uni
- Strategies for effective learning and memorising
For more check out our ultimate guide to online orientation!
The countdown is on to university Orientation week
While you eagerly anticipate university Orientation week and your welcome to life as a Charles Sturt student, why not check out our 50 tips to get you organised before uni starts.
We look forward to seeing you on campus soon!