O’Week is a five day festival held in the week prior to semester and is all about welcoming new students to Flinders and our growing community. It’s a jam-packed week full of university-wide events and activities, college-specific events, opportunities to make friends, discover the campus and settle into university life. Here are six things you can do to make the most of O’Week and ensure you have the smoothest possible start to your uni journey.

1. Attend your course welcome session

   This is the single most important thing to do during O’Week. If you only do one thing at O’Week, make it attending your course welcome session! This is your chance to get familiar with all the requirements of your course, understand what the expectations are, learn about the key assessments and deadlines, and meet your lecturers and peers. You can find your course welcome session by selecting your course from the drop-down list on the Orientation planner 2024 web page – be sure to add it to your personalised calendar so you remember to turn up. Trust us, before you eagerly hit the books, you’ll want to attend this one.

2. Complete the Finding your Way at Flinders module

   Now is the perfect time to jump online and complete our Finding your way at Flinders module. Our online orientation topic will help set you up for university success, get you familiar with Flinders and how university works, explore the skills you will need to succeed in your studies, learn about common ‘barriers to success’ you might face and how to overcome them, find out about the various support services we offer, practise navigating topics in Flinders Learning Online (FLO), learn how to submit an assignment, answer quizzes, access resources and post on the discussion forum on FLO, discover tricks and shortcuts to support you in your studies, and so much more! You can access the Finding Your Way at Flinders 2024 topic on FLO by selecting the ‘Enrol in Course’ button.

3. Join a club or student community

   With almost 100 clubs and student communities affiliated with Flinders University Student Association (FUSA), there’s something for everyone amongst the wide range of clubs and society stalls at O’Week! From acapella, board games and drama to languages, nutrition and robotics, you’re bound to find a club or community ready to welcome you into the fold. Clubs and student communities are a great way to connect with likeminded peers as you embark on your study journey. They enable you to expand your social circle, develop both professional and interpersonal skills, enjoy or expand your interests, and simply catch up with friends. Exploring the stalls during O’Week provides the chance to see all your options in one place and chat with current members about getting involved. Currently affiliated clubs with FUSA can be found in the online directory. No matter where your interests lie, a world of opportunity and excitement awaits you on Week 0 of semester.

   

4. Explore our campuses

   O’Week is spread across the University’s main South Australian campuses: Bedford Park, Sturt Precinct, Tonsley, and the brand-new City Campus at Festival Plaza. We highly encourage you to join a tour of your main campus so that you can familiarise yourself with key locations – including student services, the library, study spaces, prayer rooms, and food and dining options – before classes kick off. Take time this week to immerse yourself in the Flinders campus vibes. Our campuses are home to natural elements, purpose-built study spaces, and high-tech facilities that we hope will support and inspire you throughout your uni journey. Enjoy the great campus experience from Week 0!

   

5. Discover the best coffee (and eats!) on campus

   Calling all caffeine lovers! Make time this week to sip your way through our cafes on campus. There are plenty of places to get your buzz on or nearby our campuses. If you’re at our Bedford Park campus, popular haunts for caffeine-enthusiasts include, Bon Voyage Kiosk (see number 10 on the Food and drink map), Urban Paddock Co in the Student Hub (see number 2 on the Food and drink map), and Grind & Press (see number 9 on the Food and drink map). Make sure you visit The Tav, our very own pub on campus which serves up delicious burgers and pizzas (with great vegan and gluten-free options, too!). If you’re based at City Campus, head to Level 1 and grab a bevvy to go from pop-up, Pickle in the City. The sister café to popular Unley eatery, Pickle in the Middle, will be serving up your favourite hot drinks just in time for O’Week from 19 February (for a limited time only). Be sure to try their famous sticky chai lattes – yum! Of course, there are loads of coffee hotspots in the city and the Adelaide Railway Station’s Central Station Espresso and Platform 10 are two popular choices.

   

6. Stock up on freebies

   It wouldn’t be O’Week without free stuff! Firstly, you won’t need to pack lunch all week as FUSA are generously providing free food daily on all campuses. How cool is that! And, don’t worry if you have any food allergies, you’ll find a selection of allergy-friendly and ‘free from’ options at our cafes on campus. Take the time to wander the campus and many stalls at O’Week and you will find loads of cool goodies, stationery and gadgets on offer. Expect to leave with your very own Flinders Uni tote bag filled with handy things from bookmarks and USBs to pens, wall planners, diaries, and stickers.

   For more information about Orientation and O’Week, and all the events and activities happening, be sure to visit our online Orientation Planner and plan your week in advance.