Welcome new First Years

At this time every year, thousands of year 12 students (and others) wait anxiously for their University offer rounds. And that time has finally come! Course offers were announced late last week and now we welcome thousands of eager new first years to the University of Adelaide. On behalf of AUScA, congratulations to everybody on their offers and we hope to make your experience at Adelaide as comfortable as possible.

Of course, for many new students, the transition to University can be daunting, even scary. First year courses in Biology, Chemistry or Mathematics can have over 500 students in a single lecture, and there can be over 300 in Geology or Physics. Not to mention turning up to practical classes in the first week and having to work for several hours with somebody you may have never met.

That is why it is important to find your place early at University. This year, AUScA are hosting our First Year Orientation Camp (O'Camp) at Woodhouse Activity Centre, Piccadilly between the 13th and 15th of February. This is before O'week to give new science students a great opportunity to meet their classmates and make new friends well before University actually begins. By the time week 1 comes around, there should be more than a few familiar faces around campus.

Also important in the transition into University is O'week itself. O'week is held between Monday 23rd and Friday 27th of February. Throughout the entire week, there will be plenty of fun social activities all around campus. The first day will be First Year Orientation Day, and in the afternoon, AUScA will host a special presentation entitled "The Student's Perspective of the First Year". You will get to hear advice from current students about how they dealt with their own transition into University, and get their perspective on their studies.

Of course, O'week wouldn't be without club sign-ups. The dates, locations and times for AUScA sign-ups is yet to be announced, but stay tuned.

Finally, we are holding our first social night of the year on the Thursday of O'week in the Austin & Austin Cafe, Lounge and Bar. We invite all current and new members of AUScA for a relaxing evening of board games, video games, nachos, and maybe a drink or two.

Best of luck, and we look forward to meeting you in the new year!