By Emily.
Everyone knows that university is a place to pursue further study. There’s a lot of hard work and study involved. But university is also a fantastic opportunity to explore new things, meet new people and challenge yourself! I have just finished my second O’Week at Flinders, and I’m going to tell you a bit about it.
Every year O-Week serves as an opportunity for students to explore all that Flinders University has to offer and get a snapshot of what university life is like. The opening of Flinders’ new Student Hub and 50th Anniversary celebrations created an amazing buzz of energy at O-Week, and this is showing no signs of slowing.
So what is a Flinders O-Week like?
Student clubs, sports teams and associations!
Flinders University prides itself on the variety of clubs, sports teams and associations which are open to all students. These clubs provide a great opportunity for you to explore your passions, meet new people, keep fit, or try something totally new. We have everything from environmental groups, to beach volleyball teams and even a Harry Potter club! At O-Week each of the clubs have their own stall and this is a great opportunity for commencing students to meet all the super friendly members and sign up to as many as you want.
Making new friends!
O-Week is the perfect time to meet new people. Lifelong friends are made at Flinders! The Flinders University Student Association put in an enormous effort to ensure that there are plenty of activities during O-Week that encourage commencing students to meet new people while having a great time. The strong community spirit at Flinders is evident through all the friendships made from people chatting in the line to receive free henna tattoos, at the outdoor movie screening and the many other fantastic events that happen during O-Week. The Transition Office also run a variety of initiatives to help you settle into uni life.
Academic and professional services!
Transitioning from school to university can be a daunting experience, but Flinders staff and support teams are there at O-Week, and throughout the year to make it a smooth process. There are sessions for those who might need a hand finalising their timetable, there are also lectures on how to academically reference or avoid accidental plagiarism. While maybe not as exciting as all the stalls and things to see outside, these opportunities are a fantastic way for students to get their head around university expectations and receive some extra assistance in producing university standard work.
Parties!
What’s O-Week without a good ol’ party at the end of it? O’Fiesta held on the Friday night was basically a music festival on campus with over 2,000 people in our new outdoor amphitheatre! The O’Fiesta headliners, the Rubens, did not disappoint as we danced the night away and welcomed the start of the 2016 university year.
The fun of O-Week does not stop once the university year begins! I’d say it provides a snapshot of the fun that is to be had with the many upcoming events to be held throughout the year. So my advice is to not only think about university as “more study”, but to also look forward to all the fun that is had. Perhaps O’Week can provide a bit of extra motivation when you’re working hard at school this year! Good luck in 2016 and the years ahead.