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First Year @ UOW

Common Problems Facing First Year Students

Students often have difficulties in their first year of University on a wide range of issues. Many of these problems are shared by other students and have been discussed here to help you avoid common problems and pitfalls:

• Can’t find a particular room?
• Having trouble keeping on top of your University workload because of difficult life issues?
• Having trouble finding a car park or unsure where you can park?
• Unsure if you will be able to make new friends at University?
• Looking for past exam papers?
• Not sure which subjects to choose?
• Struggling with computers?
• Having difficulties with referencing and avoiding plagiarism?
• Experiencing problems with study skills or time management?
• Not sure how or when to enroll in tutorial/practical/lab classes?

 Finding timetables and room numbers difficult?

Room numbering at the University of Wollongong can be initially confusing, but it is quite simple.

Given a room number, such as 1.234, the numbers before the dot represent the building, in this case building 1 . If you were unsure where building 1 is you would consult the online Campus Map and search for building 1. The first digit after the dot is the floor, which in this case is floor 2. The floors at the University of Wollongong start at G for ground floor , and then 1,2,3… so for floor 2 you would probably have to go up two floors from the ground floor. All of the digits after the dot make up the room number , which in this case is 234. To find this particular room, you would look around floor 2, and consult a map located on the wall if you couldn’t find it.

Some large subjects have repeat lectures. Usually with these subjects you can attend either the lectures that are timetabled as “ Lecture” or the lectures that are timetabled as “ Lecture Repeat”. It is important to find out in the first lecture of a subject how lecture repeats will be handled so that you don’t miss any classes you should be going to. If you are confused about a subject’s timetable, it is a good idea to email the lecturer and ask for help.

 Having trouble keeping on top of your University workload because of difficult life issues?

External influences can make it hard to meet the requirements of a University degree. Counselling Services offers free and confidential counselling to students and staff “ who want to talk through and change areas of difficulty, conflict or crisis in their lives”.

 Having trouble finding a car park or unsure where you can park?

Because of the number of students attending the University of Wollongong some students find it difficult to find a car park. Information is available online about parking and other transport options.

 Unsure if you will be able to make friends at University?

Many students feel this way before they start University, but most manage to find people that they form lasting friendships with. Many first year subjects involve group work, which is a great way to meet people that may be doing the same degree as you. Other students join clubs and societies where they can socialise with people who share common interests.

 Looking for past exam papers?

Many students find it helpful to review past exam papers for the subjects they are studying. A wealth of them can be found at the library website.

 Not sure which subjects to choose?

Subject selection can be a difficult and scary process for some students the first time that they do it. When selecting subjects, students should always refer to their degree program (which can be found on their faculty’s website) This tells them what subjects they must do, how many elective subjects they may choose etc..

Other people that may be useful to talk to include

• Your degree coordinator or faculty enquiry centre
• Students that have completed first year of your degree
• Prospective employers that you would like to work for
• A careers adviser at Careers Central UOW

The University’s Planning Your Degree page also provides information about subject choices.

 Struggling with computers?

Computers are now a large part of University life. The ITS Student Computer Training web site has details about training, individual help in the computer labs and use of the computer services which ITS provides for students.

WebCT use is now a part of many first year subjects. A good place to look for help using WebCT is the WebCT Help section that has help on many aspects of using WebCT.

 Having difficulties with referencing and avoiding plagiarism?

Accurate and correct referencing is important at University. Different disciplines require different styles of referencing, but none tolerate plagiarism or cheating. Learning Development workshops target specific areas of academic writing such as referencing and avoiding plagiarism.

 Experiencing problems with study skills or time management?

If you want to develop or refine your study or time management skills, consider attending a Learning Development workshop.

Many subjects now have PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) attached to them. In PASS, students meet weekly to discuss course content and problems in a group led by a senior student who has achieved highly in the subject. As well as drastically reducing failure rates for attendees, PASS develops study and time management skills that are particularly relevant to the subjects they are attached to.

 Not sure how or when to enroll in tutorial/practical/lab classes?

The Tutorial & Practical Preferences website covers how to enroll in tutorial/practical/lab classes. The procedures and times for enrolling differ from faculty to faculty, but you are encouraged to enroll as soon as possible so that you can get the preferences that best suit your timetable.