Discover the right resources at the right time
Build your study skills and Graduate Attributes through this series of weekly on-campus and online workshops, events and resources designed to guide you through your student journey and help you thrive in your studies.
Use this guide together with the Your First Year resource to set yourself up for the Semester.
For campus-specific events and workshops, make sure you check out Campus life events and Student Hub.
Six tips to make the most of Orientation
4 JuneWith so much happening in Orientation week, it's hard to know what to attend so here's a few insider tips to inspire your experience.
Orientation: Getting to know USC
Connect with the right workshops, support and resources to help your transition into university life at USC.
Explore what's taking place during Orientation week, for new and current students, and the helpful resources designed to get you ready for day one!
This week's focus aligns with the following Graduate Attributes: Communication, problem-solving, organisation, applying technologies, information literacy, engaged and knowledgeable.
What's on this week
- Orientation! During Orientation, you can access on-campus support, take part in various workshops to help you transition to university life and make new connections by visiting the various stalls. Check out the Orientation program to see what's on at your campus.
- Student Leadership Symposium. Taking place on Friday 23 July at the Sunshine Coast via Zoom, the Student Leadership Symposium is a great opportunity to build your leadership skills, network and learn about sustainability in leadership.
- Join an Orientation workshop via zoom: Learn about the library, How to make the most of your university experience, IT and Blackboard essentials, Engaging with student support. Check out the online program to see what's on and to join.
- Take a deep dive into the Library resources online so you know what's available to you throughout the semester.
- Once you've made it through Orientation, explore the Your First Year module on Blackboard which will guide you through your first day and your first class.
If you need some more inspiration on what to do at Orientation, check out Six tips to make the most of Orientation!
Week 1: Navigating university
Week one is all about settling into the new semester and making sure you're set up for success! Take a look at what's happening on campus and how you can connect with other students and student support.
This week's focus aligns with the following Graduate Attributes: Applying technologies, engaged, knowledgeable, problem solving and organisation.
What's on this week
- Ask Student Central. Need a little help in the first week? Pop into Student Central or check out the Student Central FAQs! Whether you need support with your ID card, enrolling in courses and classes or connecting to USC systems, Student Central can point you in the right direction!
- Register for a workshop. Time to brush up on your study skills or learn new strategies to balance your studies? There are loads of workshops in Week 1 to get you ready for the semester:
- Analysing Assignment Questions: Take the workshop or check out the online presentation
- Approaches to Study and Research: Take the workshop or check out the online presentation
- Take the Harvard Referencing workshop.
- Take the APA Referencing Style workshop.
- Take the Understanding Academic Writing workshop.
- Head to Your First Year module on Blackboard and check out the tips for Your First Week.
- Have you found all of your Course Readings for the semester? Check out the Library Guide to help search for your course readings.
- Learn about SafeUSC and the services they provide.
- Create a plan to work towards your career goals now with our First Year Career Planning resource.
Week 2: get organised
Now that you're feeling a little more settled, it's a good idea to start thinking about getting organised for the semester.
This week's focus aligns with the following Graduate Attributes: Organisation, problem solving and collaboration.
What's on this week
- Drop-in is back from Week 2 until Week 13! Check out Drop-in times at your campus and ask your study and learning questions!
- Have you heard of Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS)? It's a free weekly one-hour session held via Zoom to help students improve grades and connect with peers. Check out PASS to see if there's a session for you program.
Get organised now and start to plan your semester and beyond with these online workshops:
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Learn how to use the Assignment Calculator
- Resume Hacks that Work
- Create a plan to work towards your career goals now with our First Year Career Planning resource.
- Head to Your First Year module on Blackboard and check out the tips for Your First Assignment.
- Did you know that you can use the online assignment calculator to help you manage your time better?
- Browse study resources like Reading and Notetaking, Referencing Guides and Academic Integrity and Quoting, Summarising and Paraphrasing
- Need AccessAbility services? If you're a new student, make sure you register for AccessAbility by Week 4.
- Learn about managing your progression.
Week 3 - build connections
Building connections with your program, your peers and staff at USC can help improve your study and experience during your time at university and beyond. Check out how you can start forming new connections at USC.
This week's focus aligns with the following Graduate Attributes: Organisation, problem solving and collaboration.
What's on this week
- Drop-in! Check out Drop-in times at your campus.
- National Student Volunteer Week event at Sunshine Coast and online
- Have you explored the Student Guild Events yet?
- PASS sessions
- Check out the Campus Life events to see what's on this semester!
- Making the most of your uni experience
- First Year Career Planning
- Final Year Career Planning
- Mid Years Career Planning
- Career Compass
- The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) holds regular student forums where you are invited to hear from the PVC (S), raise any concerns, make suggestions and share your experience as a USC student. Find out when to Zoom in for the Student Forum for your campus.
- Need program advice ahead of the Census Date next week? Check out the Program Advice resources available.
- Head to Your First Year module on Blackboard and check out the tips for Your First Assignment and Your First Month.
- Need to ask a librarian a question, you can chat to them online Monday to Friday 9am-4pm.
- There's loads of support available for students, learn about engaging with support.
- Have you joined your Campus Facebook Group? Chat to other students, stay up to date with what's happening and post your photos of life at USC.
Week 4 - Keep on track
With three weeks already complete, it's time to check-in and make sure you're on track and start exploring what study skills and habits you want to build on.
This week's focus aligns with the following Graduate Attributes: Ethical, collaboration, engaged and knowledgeable
What's on this week
- It's Diversity Week, which is all about celebration, conversation and inclusion. Check out the Campus Life events calendar to see how you can celebrate at your campus.
- Drop-in! Check out Drop-in times at your campus.
- Research fundamentals with the Library
- Managing your progression
- Move towards your professional goals through Developing Employability Skills in this Careers workshop.
- The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) holds regular student forums where you are invited to hear from the PVC (S), raise any concerns, make suggestions and share your experience as a USC student. Find out when to Zoom in for the Student Forum for your campus.
- Check out this great resource on various Learning Strategies.
- Did you know that you can use the online assignment calculator to help you manage your time better?
- Time to pick up some new skills to improve your writing?
- Unsure of what courses to complete, this resource may assist you: Structure vs Sequence
Week 5 - Develop your skills
As the semester begins to ramp up, now is a good time to develop and integrate your learning skills to help you with upcoming assessments and exams. You can also explore how you can work towards your future employment goals throughout your studies.
This week's focus aligns with the following Graduate Attributes: Engaged, empowered, creative and critical thinkers
What's on this week
- Drop-in! Check out Drop-in times at your campus.
- Ace your Interview
- Write Winning Applications
- Resume Hacks
- Head to Your First Year module on Blackboard and check out the tips for Your First Grade.
Week 6 - working with peers
Get excited and get the most out of group work when you understand the expectations and the added benefits for everyone. Start connecting with peers on campus through events and workshops and discover strategies for working on group assignments.
This week's focus aligns with the following Graduate Attributes: Collaboration, knowledgeable, information literacy and communication
What's on this week
- Drop-in! Check out Drop-in times at your campus.
- Academic skills workshop on Group Work
- Making the most of your uni experience
- Check out the Research Skills Tutorial with the Library
- Learn simple strategies for managing multiple commitments with balancing your studies.
Week 7 - time to Check-In
Stop, take a breathe and check-in with yourself and your peers. How are you managing your studies? Have you created a good balance? Is there something you're uncertain about? Now is a good time to reach out and ask for help.
This week's focus aligns with the following Graduate Attributes: Communication, collaboration, ethical, engaged and empowered
What's on this week
- RUOK? Day. Check out the Campus Life events to see what's happening at your campus.
- Drop-in! Check out Drop-in times at your campus.
- Peer feedback literacy
- Developing Employability Skills
- Who do you chat to about your mental health? Check out this video by Health and Wellbeing.
- If you need alternative arrangements for exams, make sure you registered with AccessAbility by Week 9.
Week 8 - explore
Now is a great time to check out what you can do outside the context of study to work towards your goals. Your goals might be to expand your learning through volunteer opportunities, explore job opportunities or networking with peers and mentors.
This week's focus aligns with the following Graduate Attributes: Collaboration, organisation, communication and sustainability-focused
What's on this week
- Drop-in! Check out Drop-in times at your campus.
- Ace your Interview
- Hidden Job Market
- Learn about USC's Mentoring program
- Unsure of what courses to complete, this resource may assist you: Structure vs Sequence
Week 9 - stay motivated
Everyone has a different approach to learning, goal setting and time management. Understand the various strategies and adapt them to suit your style so you can plan ahead. If you feel like there's a barrier to achieving your goals, now is a good time to plan what support you might need to break through and succeed!
This week's focus aligns with the following Graduate Attributes: Sustainability-focused, empowered and engaged
What's on this week
- Drop-in! Check out Drop-in times at your campus.
- Goal setting
- Networking and the Hidden Job Market
- Need some extra learning support? Explore how you can engage with support at USC.
- Check out motivation techniques and tips.
- About to start placement? Explore managing your wellbeing on placement.
- Learn more about balancing your studies to get the most from your efforts.
Mid-semester break - relax and reset
Time to give your mind a quick break and reset for the rest of the semester. We've listed a few resources to help you focus on mindfulness during this time.
This week's focus aligns with the following Graduate Attributes: Ethical and empowered
What's on this week
- Nothing this week - take a break and we'll see you back on campus next week!
- How to self-care 101
- Learn about mindfulness and applying it at university.
- The library is still open during the break for all your study needs.
Week 10 - re-connect
Time to get back into your weekly study routine, re-connect with your study plan and start incorporating feedback to help you progress for the rest of the semester.
This week's focus aligns with the following Graduate Attributes: Ethical, empowered, communication and collaboration.
What's on this week
- Drop-in! Chat to our team about any feedback you've received and how you can approach your work differently next time. Check out Drop-in times at your campus.
- Meet your Student Rep
- Online USC Clubs meet and greet
- Feedback literacy
- Received feedback about reference? Check out the referencing guides and academic integrity.
Week 11 - create order
Being organised is a skill you can learn and it's one that will help you in your studies and everyday life. Learn how to practice self-regulated learning and applying your organisational skills when preparing for exams.
This week's focus aligns with the following Graduate Attributes: Organisation and problem solving.
What's on this week
- Drop-in! Come armed with your questions about exam preparation. Check out Drop-in times at your campus.
- Check back soon for what's happening online.
- Get some tips on how to improve your writing skills. You can also check out essay writing or report writing resources.
- Time to seek further support with your studies? Book in a session with a Learning Advisor.
- It's Mental Health Week! Explore the Health and Wellbeing services available to USC students.
Week 12 - perform at your peak
It's getting close to the end and no doubt you're focused on your final assignments and exams. So stay focused, take care of yourself and explore extra tips and strategies on preparing for exams.
This week's focus aligns with the following Graduate Attributes: Sustainability-focused, knowledgeable, information literacy, engaged and empowered.
What's on this week
- Drop-in! Get some extra exam prep tips at the drop-in. Check out Drop-in times at your campus.
- Graduate Career – what you need to know
- Check out the quiz, test and exam preparation.
- Head to Your First Year module on Blackboard and check out the tips for Your First Exam.
Week 13 - Revise and review
You're nearly there! This week is all about reflecting back on the semester and reviewing everything that you've learned. Find the best study set-up for you, re-read your notes and important readings and remember to stop, take a break and let your mind refresh during your study!
This week's focus aligns with the following Graduate Attributes: Knowledgeable, information literacy, organisation, empowered and engaged
What's on this week
- Drop-in! It's the last drop-in for the semester and the perfect opportunity to ask any study questions about exams. Check out Drop-in times at your campus.
- Exam preparation
- Graduate Career - what you need to know
- Head to Your First Year module on Blackboard and check out the tips for the rest of Your First Year
- Curious about end of semester results and what they mean? Learn what to expect in Your First End of Semester Results.
Study Week and Exams - focus and celebrate
Exam week is here and you've done everything you need to perform at your peak! It's important to focus on your wellbeing and staying motivated during exams so you can get the most from your efforts, and make sure you celebrate your hard work when it's all over!
The library is still open during the break for all your study needs.
Good luck!