Tips for New Students

 

On behalf of MASN@ECU, Congratulations on embarking on the amazing journey of education! Returning to study as a mature age student can present many challenges and demands unlike other university students. For whatever reason you have enrolled, your time here will be both challenging and exciting. To help you enter this new phase of your life, a few helpful suggestions have been put together that will hopefully make life a bit easier.

EXPLORE THE WEBSITE

Now that you have enrolled, familiarize yourself with the Student Portal where you will find relevant news, your unit list and a Links tab that has information such as study advice. You will also find that the Student Portal page has links to Blackboard and the Library. Play around with the Student Portal, as you will be amazed at how user friendly and informative it is.
 

EXPLORE THE CAMPUS

Take a walk around whichever campus you are attending, using the maps provided on the Student Portal website. Discover the facilities that the University may provide: Doctors, Counselling Services, the Child Care Centre, Recruitment and Career Advisers, Chaplaincy Services and Legal Services are just a few facilities available for student use. Find the location of your Faculty Office, Student Services and your main faculty noticeboards that provides relevant information for your studies and possible activities that you may be interested in.

Check for your lecture and tutor rooms found on maps in ‘SIMO’ so that you know where to go before you leave home. Another important place is the Library where you will spend quite a bit of time, and ensure to take part in the Library tours... it will make life so much easier for you. It would not hurt either to find out where your lecturers and tutors offices are located. 

TIME MANAGEMENT

This is a crucial issue for all students, but particularly for mature aged students that may have employment, a household to take of and/or family members to consider. Keep a diary for personal activities and use a weekly planner which you can download from the Counselling site (use the link tab in your Student Portal), for class times, assignment and exam dates. Learn to prioritise and be realistic when allocating time slots for everything and think ahead in time.

NETWORK

‘Connect’ with other students. Develop a social network not only for your classes but also socially. Mature age students undergo many challenges, emotions and barriers, yet keep these problems to themselves, however, you will be surprised that many other mature aged students will have similar challenges, emotions, and barriers. Look out for events that MASN@ECU and their sub-groups that have been affiliated with the guild as clubs. We will hold throughout the semesters such as a ‘Coffee Hour’ where the mature aged students can get together and discuss, advise, and generally socialise. Become proactive in university life.

CARE FOR YOURSELF

Acknowledge the changes to your life (and family members) that you will experience and try to adjust realistically. As a mature age student, you will typically have high expectations and may become frustrated when they cannot be met. Learn to value your achievements, do not compare yourself with other students, and allow yourself time to adjust and settle into this new life. Keep motivated and remember the reason that you have embarked on this wonderful and exciting journey of Education. Ask for help!

Use the Support Services available on campus, talk to lecturers and tutors, and even discuss issues with other students.  The Guild’s Ed and Welfare people are friendly and empathetic people who can advise you on a lot of issues as well.

Make contact with the MASN@ECU reps, after all, we are students just like you!