Our Getting Off To A Good Start Guide is a collection of tips and advice for new or returning students who want to start the year as best they can. Originally a print guide, it is now a series of interlinked blog posts that you can bookmark and return to at any point and resume reading. Living online, the guide is constantly updated. This section recommends some further reading.
I’m going to hazard a guess that you probably have (or will have) enough to read already, with all your topics.
But, just in case you wanted to do a bit more reading or explore more about Flinders on your laptop, tablet or phone, here are some recommendations:
Student Health and Wellbeing Blog
The Student Health and Wellbeing Blog is where I spend the bulk of my time writing about mental health, wellbeing and productivity. I write articles, post news about HCDS and Oasis, link to cool stuff I find and journal my own reflections and experiences on these topics.
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Self-help library
Some of the posts from the blog get expanded into longer form articles and guides. You can find these in our self-help library. Topics include health service information, support services, mental health, productivity, mind and body, disability and safety/crisis.
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Key guides
A few of our guides are quite large now and we continue to expand them. I’ve mentioned these previously in this guide, but they are worth highlighting again.
The first is called ‘Evidence-based study, writing and exam preparation tips’ and explores what science tells us about the most effective ways to learn. Reading this document and applying the ideas within will help you become a more efficient and effective student.
The second is called the ‘Self-care Mega Guide’ and this explores the many different ways that you can look after yourself so you can perform at your highest level. It also includes information on the many support services available to you as a student.
The third is called ‘How to prepare yourself psychologically for work placements‘ and explores how you can get the most out of work placements, which are a critical piece of many degrees (clinical placements were an essential part of my psychology degree).
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Blogs at Flinders University
I am not the only one blogging at Flinders. Check out the Flinders blogs directory to see who else is writing about their work. These aren’t limited to health and wellbeing. They cover a diverse range of topics and constitute a good way to tap into the worlds of teaching and research here at Flinders.
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Flinders Social media sites
Flinders maintains a number of social media sites that are worth keeping an eye on. These aren’t student specific but will give you a comprehensive sense of what is happening across the university. A recent student experience survey showed that only 48% of students (nationally) had a sense of belonging to their institution. Feeling connected to the university community does predict academic outcomes, but it needs to be cultivated by learning more about the institution. Flinders’ social media is a good way to do this.
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FUSA social media sites
FUSA is the student association and a central source of support and social engagement for students. Their social media sites are student focused and are a news source on the different opportunities available to you as a student. They primarily live on Facebook and Instagram.
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Oasis social media sites
Oasis is a student wellbeing centre on the Bedford Park Campus. The centre itself is a nice place to hang out, but in addition they run programs and events that support student wellbeing and create a sense of social connection and belonging. They keep students notified of these events via Facebook and Instagram.
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Social media sites of student groups
Flinders has a thriving clubs and societies scene and many of these clubs have online destinations. Many communities can be found on Facebook, Instagram and Discord. You might need to do a bit of searching to find them.
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Ping! newsletter
I know email probably isn’t’ the most joyous part of your day, but it remains a dominant communication channel. The Ping! newsletter goes out weekly and is a comprehensive overview of student-relevant happenings at Flinders and then there is targeted information specific to your College. You’ll be getting this newsletter already, so the real challenge is just remembering to take the time to read it 😊 You can always catch up on key content via their blog.
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🟢 Set aside 30 minutes a week to engage with one or more of the information channels described above. Not so much that you feel overwhelmed, but just enough that you feel like you have your finger on the pulse of what is happening at Flinders.
Section reflection 🤔
Are you active on social media? How would you describe your relationship to social media?
Sections of the guide 📘
- Introduction
- Know your way around
- Getting off to a good start with your studies
- Know what is involved in being a successful student
- Allocate an appropriate amount of time to your studies
- Use evidence-based study techniques
- Use available services for study tips, writing and assignments
- Tackle procrastination directly
- Know your advocates
- Get off to a good start by looking after yourself
- Engage in self-care
- Ensure any known health or mental health conditions are being well managed
- Try not to isolate yourself
- Familiarise yourself with the support environment
- Further reading
- Final words
