A survival guide to O-Week at Victoria’s Unis and TAFEs in 2019
Orientation Week is around the corner for tens of thousands of Victorian students starting university and TAFE. We’ve got the important dates, events (and how not to overdo it) this O-Week.
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Orientation Week is just around the corner.
And it’s not all about overpriced club nights and non-stop pubs crawls — there is more to O-Week than alcohol.
We’ve got your complete survival guide to O-Week at Melbourne’s universities and TAFEs including key dates for the diary, what to expect (and how to avoid O-verdoing it).
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What is Orientation or O-Week?
Orientation Week (often known as O-Week) is a program of academic activities and social events that introduces new students to life and study at their chosen university or TAFE.
There are course introductions, opportunities to meet tutors and lecturers and walking tours to familiarise yourself with the campus and its facilities.
It is also your opportunity to check out the activities, societies and social clubs that are all part of life at university and TAFE.
When is O-Week?
Orientation Week usually lasts a week, some of the bigger universities stretch it to two or even three before lectures and classes begin, while smaller TAFEs might hold one day of orientation activities.
The dates vary between institutions, starting with TAFE and training institutes and finishing with universities, most of which begin their semesters on 5 March.
Here are the dates we know so far:
University of Melbourne: 18 February to 1 March
Monash University:25 February to 1 March
La Trobe University:25 February to 1 March
Deakin University: 25 February to 1 March
Victoria University: 12 February to 21 February, days vary for each campus
RMIT University: 5 February to 9 February (TAFE) 12 February to 28 February (Higher Education), days vary for each campus
Swinburne University of Technology:11 February to 1 March
Australian Catholic University:18 February to 21 February
Charles Sturt University: 27 February to 3 March
Federation University: 25 February to 1 March, days vary for each campus
Torrens University:19 February to 21 February, days vary for each campus
Holmesglen Institute: 19 February
Melbourne Polytechnic: 5 March to 13 March
William Angliss Institute:7 February to 8 February (TAFE), 11 February to 14 February (Higher Education)
Box Hill Institute: 11 February to 15 February (Higher Education)
Chisholm Institute:25 February to 3 March
Gordon Institute: 19 February to 21 February, days vary for each campus
What to expect during O-Week?
Information sessions
Most institutions run a number of general information sessions throughout the orientation period, assisting you with anything from learning how to use the library to student exchange programs.
Often, there will be a mandatory workshop or seminar specifically relating to your discipline or course. These cover everything you need to know about choosing a major, different pathways and the academic skills and resources you will need to succeed in your studies so put them in the diary and make sure you attend.
Campus tours
Depending on the size of the institution, it is highly likely you will spend the first few weeks of the semester royally lost. The University of Melbourne, for example, has close to 150 different buildings on its Parkville campus alone.
Campus tours are often led by current students, and are a good way to get to know where your lectures and tutorials are likely to be held, as well as bathrooms, libraries, facilities and all the best study spots, cafes and dining options. You will still rock up late to the wrong tutorial, but at least you might remember which cafe does the best flat white.
Student clubs and societies
Fancy arguing for fun as part of the debate team? Or how about jumping on a broomstick and trying out your skills on the Quidditch pitch?
University and TAFE is all about trying new things and exploring what most interests you, and student clubs and societies are a great way to do that with like-minded people. La Trobe University has more than 90 student-run clubs and societies across a broad range of hobbies and interests, from animal rights to Asian pop culture appreciation and, of course, its famous Quidditch club, La Trolls.
Most institutions will hold a fair or festival during O-Week for clubs to show new students what they are all about, often with a few freebies thrown in (food, drinks, useless merch) to boost numbers. Have a chat to the members and sign up for a couple that interest you, but don’t overcommit. O-Week can often end in an inbox full of unwanted invites and a year spent trying to get off mailing lists.
It is also an opportunity to check out your student union, an elected body that represents the student body and liaises with the university to provide services, facilities and amenities around campus. The student union also often organises plenty of events during O-Week and throughout the year, which brings us to …
Parties and social activities
Booze cruises, pub crawls, beach days and movie nights, the student social calendar is never more packed than during O-Week.
These activities are a great way to meet people and get into the spirit of things, but be smart with our top tips for surviving the silly season:
Don’t blow the budget: Booze cruises, club nights and other ticketed events are all fun and games until you check your bank account. Stick to a few and don’t be the person shouting rounds of shots at the bar. Nobody will remember your generosity anyway.
Be responsible on nights out: eat well before drinking, keep an eye on your possessions, especially your drink, and travel home with friends. The same goes for outdoor events during the day — stay sunsmart and drink plenty of water.
It doesn’t have to be a booze-fest: glow sticks and hangovers not your thing? There are plenty of low-key events on the calendar. The Monash Student Association runs a picnic and scavenger hunt, Deakin has an outdoor movie night and Melbourne University does a carnival with games and live entertainment.
Get social: Most events and activities are organised by student associations and clubs rather than the institution itself, so start following some on Facebook so you know what’s on and when.
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