|
 Back to Index
Who to Go to For Help
Although University education requires independence, there are many resources that can ensure your experience is rewarding and satisfying. Students are expected to take the initiative to contact a service when needed. The SEDLOs are available to assist you with any aspect of your life and studies in Australia. All appointments are confidential. If the SEDLOs cannot help you, they will be happy to refer you to someone who may be able to assist.
Administrative issues
Student Central is part of the Academic Registrar's Division. It provides advice and assistance to students on a range of matters ranging from enrolment, fees, exams, academic transcripts and graduation. Visit Student Central on ground floor building 17. You can visit their website here or email them at studenq@uow.edu.au.
UniAdvice
UniAdvice handles enquiries from students about admission to the University. It markets the University’s courses overseas, co-ordinates programs for international students and administers exchange programs with overseas Universities. If you wish to enquire or apply for a course of study or enquire about entry requirements such as English language entry levels contact UniAdvice in Building 36 or email uniadvice@uow.edu.au.
Counselling
Click here for the 'University Counselling Services' web page.
Student Associations
Click here for the 'University Student Associations (SRC, WUPA)' web page.
In your Faculty or Department
Each academic department at the University has academic advisers to assist you with questions about your course or subject. You will also be given contact details of your tutor, lecturer and course co-ordinator in the subject outline for each of your subjects. You can enquire about the relevant person to speak to at your Faculty Office or at your Faculty Enquiry Centre if they have one. If you have a problem or if you don’t understand any aspect of your studies, it is in your best interests to discuss it with someone in your Faculty. Don’t ignore it or the problem will probably get worse.
Sub-Deans
Sub-Deans in each Faculty provide students with advice and information on many aspects of the University Rules and Regulations such as minimum study progress, as well as information relating to their degrees. You can make an appointment at your Faculty Office to see the Sub-Dean.
Dean of Students
Click here for the 'Dean of Students' web page.
Orientation to the University
Click here for the 'Orientation to the University' web page and here for further orientation information.
Academic Survival
Why do Australian Universities seem so different?
Australian culture strongly values independence. At University here lecturers make course requirements clear and help is available if you need it, however, your degree is your own responsibility. Students are expected to be independent and make their own decisions about how much to study, how long to spend on their work and whether they hand in assignments on time. Therefore you must develop strong organisational and academic skills including:
- time management
- effective study skills
- note taking
- library research skills
Learning Development provides information, workshops and one-to-one consultations on the above topics and on academic language and literacy. On their Unilearning website you can practice and develop your academic skills by using the interactive activities. You can acccess Online Study Resources from here. A timetable of Learning Development workshops can be found here or call into Building 19 Room G102 for further information.
Being a critical thinker
Australian university students are expected to do more than repeat what they have read or heard. It is not enough to re-state the ideas or arguments of others. Students must analyse them and criticise them (that is, judge the merit or value of the material) and to state their own opinion about the material. Being able to criticise or evaluate academic material is perhaps the most highly valued skill in the Australian university context. Without it, no student, whether of science, commerce, arts or any other discipline, can succeed at university. For assistance with critical analysis it is suggested you read: Ballard, B. and Clanchy, J. 1984 Study Abroad: A manual for Asian Students, Kuala Lumpur: Longman, available from the library. You could also use the Online Study Resources including the UniLearning website.
How can I get the most out of lectures?
Although lectures are not the only source of important content, they are the best guide to what is most crucial in your course. So it is important, not only to attend your lectures but to prepare, engage with the material and take effective notes.
You can prepare for lectures by looking up the lecture topic, “skim” the required readings for that topic and think about any question you might have on the subject. Engaging with the content involves listening closely and reflecting on it, thinking about it’s relevance and how it fits into the broader context. Some tips for effective note taking include: identifying key issues only and noting them in point form (not whole sentences – you won’t have time for this); using symbols, diagrams and abbreviations; clearly indicating the lecture topic and date.
What should I do in tutorials and seminars?
The purpose of tutorials and seminars is to provide an opportunity for students to expand on what has been learnt in lectures by discussing key issues. The success of a tutorial depends on the participation of all students: you need to be a participant, even if at first you find it difficult to join the discussion. To participate effectively, you need to prepare beforehand and this will enable you to follow what is going on. You will also feel more confident about joining the discussion. Preparing means finding out what the topic of the tutorial is, doing the required readings, thinking about the topic and identifying issues you don’t understand and questions you want answered.
Working with other students – group work
It’s very rewarding to study with a group of students, as discussion about your work is an effective way of learning. Sometimes you will be required to undertake a group assignment. You can also organise your own study groups outside of class time. Other students are often willing to help you when you get stuck. It is important that you do not take group work to the point where you are doing each other’s work. You are not learning anything if you rely too much on others. Also, copying each other’s work is counter-productive and may even lead to claims of plagiarism.
When to speak to your tutor or lecturer
You can speak to your tutor about a subject’s content or assignments. The best time to ask your tutor a question is during the tutorial. However if you have a good reason for not asking the question during the tutorial (for example you were absent due to sickness or the question is of a personal nature) you can see the tutor after the tutorial or contact them using the contact details they have given you. You can speak to your lecturer if you have a question about a lecture or an assignment or if you have already talked to your tutor and they are unable to help you. The University requires them to make themselves available. They have set times for consultations with students. These times are usually advertised on their office door or in subject outlines. Lectures expect you to follow up anything you still do not understand after attending lectures and doing the required reading.
Learning Development Online Study Resources
Online Study Resources have information on a range of other topics such as essay writing, research and thesis writing, referencing, studying for exams and much more.
Avoiding Plagiarism
Plagiarism is an important issue within the culture of Australian education. Plagiarism means using the words and/or ideas of others – authors, critics, journalists, academics, other students, etc. – without giving them proper acknowledgment. In short, plagiarism is presenting the words and/or ideas of others as though they were your own, whether this is done intentionally or intentionally. This differs from some cultures which value the transmission of the exact wording of important texts. In Australia using the exact words of a source without acknowledgment is considered to be like stealing and can lead to heavy penalties at University including failure of subjects and expulsion from the University. Please read more information on plagiarism here. Your Faculty or Department will also issue you with guidelines on plagiarism.
Student Complaints
Click here for the 'Student Complaints' web page.
Back to index
 next
|
