Melbourne School of Engineering

Transition: your first semester checklist

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first semester o-week week 1 week 2 week 3 final weeks

 

Download your first semester checklist here.

orientation week

It is vital that you attend Orientation Week. It is not just an occasion to have fun, it is also a time to plan ahead for the coming semester.

During Orientation Week you should:

  • Become familiar with the layout of your Department, the Melbourne School of Engineering and the University in general
  • Attend your course academic orientation sessions, and relevant Mathematics and Physics information sessions
  • Participate in the transition event on Thursday afternoon
  • Join in a library tour and information technology briefing
  • Make a final decision regarding any elective subjects you need to take if you have not already done so
  • Make sure that you have a University e-mail account
  • Register for an account at the ECR so that you can access specialised software and multimedia packages
  • Generate your personal timetable via the SIS
  • Check out clubs and societies in the Melbourne School Engineering and the Student Union

To access Orientation Week activities in the Melbourne School Engineering click here.

week 1

During Week 1 you should:

  • Attend your first classes. It is important to note that tutorials and practical classes do not often commence until Week 2
  • Familiarise yourself with the location of lectures, tutorials and practical classes
  • Find out about prescribed and recommended text books in your first classes
  • Find out about the transition program run by your Department in the first half of the semester
  • Make sure that you are aware of the support services available to you at Departmental, School and University level
  • Read your student diary; it contains lots of very useful information
  • Think carefully about whether you are enrolled in (a) the right subjects (for example, standard versus advanced Mathematics) and electives, and (b) the correct stream of Engineering as you attend your first classes

week 2

During Week 2 you should:

  • Begin to attend tutorial and practical classes
  • Obtain a 24-hour access card from the Centre for the Study of Higher Education (CSSE) building in Monash Road to allow you to use ECR computer labs 24 hours a day 7 days a week
  • Make all changes to your subjects by the end of the week to avoid a WD (withdrawn) result
  • Think about registering for the Engineering Study Skills Seminars to improve your study skills and enhance your chances of academic success
  • Draw up a weekly class/study/work/recreation plan for the semester to make sure that you make the most effective use of your time
  • Check out AIRport (Gate 1 > Study Skills) to find out more about study basics and time management. Through time management you can draw up your own personal weekly planner and get useful feedback about how effectively you are managing your commitments

week 3

During Week 3 you should:

  • Review your study plan, remembering that you should be putting in at least 1 to 2 hours of study for every hour of formal contact (class) time
  • Prepare to start your first Engineering Study Skills Seminar
  • Plan ahead for assignments and reports
  • Make sure to ask your lecturer, tutor or subject coordinator for help if you are having difficulty understanding subject content or particular concepts related to your study

class/study/work/play

By now you should be fully immersed in your studies and have established a healthy balance between class time, study, work and recreation. Remember that if you are feeling a little lost or if things seem to be getting out of control, there is a wide range of people and services to guide and support you.

see: course advisors + learning support + general support

final weeks

In the final weeks of semester you should:

  • Begin to plan for your examinations. Check out AIRport (Gate 1 > Study Skills) for useful hints on how to deal with exams, find out about exam preparation workshops organised through the LLSU (Language & Learning Skills Unit), or make an appointment to speak with a Learning Advisor at the LLSU
  • Talk to the Student Support Officer to organise alternative exam arrangements if you have a long-term or temporary disability that will affect your ability to sit your exams under normal circumstances
  • Generate a personal exam timetable via the SIS
  • Submit a special consideration form via the SIS if you have personal problems or health issues that may affect your exam performance
  • Access your exam results via the SIS or the Interactive Voice response (IVR) telephone system at 9349 9731