It’s your first day at uni. But what do you do? Where do you go? Who do you ask for help? You can find all the answers to these questions and more at Orientation Week. Take a look at what happened on the first day of orientation in Autumn semester this year to find out what you can expect during your first official day at UTS next year. (And don’t worry about trying to fit everything into just one day – most sessions are repeated a few times throughout the two weeks.)
9.30am
UTS Welcome, Great Hall
Orientation Day. Photographer Christine Le
Your official welcome to UTS is a must for all students. Hear from the people who run the uni, like UTS Vice-Chancellor Attila Brungs, learn about the uni and enjoy an engaging performance by UniSmart.
“Orientation day provides new students with an opportunity to meet new people and become involved with groups on campus before classes begin.” – Dave Barden, Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism)/Bachelor of Laws, Vice-President of the Journalism Society
10.45am
Library Tour
Find out more about UTS Library – including where it is, the great study spaces and the online services you can access to help with your studies.
11.45am
U:Professional and Professional Identity Fair
Building 7 Green Auditorium. Photographer: Richard Heng
Do you know what you want to be? Maybe not? Find out how to make the most of your time at UTS and how to kick-start your professional identity in first-year.
1pm
Head online to activateuts.com.au to book tix for Summerfest – the biggest dance party of the year. Held at the end of orientationit’s a time to kick off your shoes, kick up your feet at and check out feature bands like San Cisco, The Kite String Tangle and Aston Shuffle.
“Summerfest is a chance to enjoy a live concert, listen to some cool bands, celebrate the beginning of a new semester and meet new friends. It’s a great way to experience some of the fun, enjoyable and engaging opportunities UTS campus life has to offer.” – Sarah Reade, ActivateUTS
2pm
LRS Tour
Instagram: @utsorientation
Take a sneak peek inside UTS’s new Library Retrieval System (LRS) – the 13 000 cubic metre state-of-the-art facility located under Alumni Green. Here, six robots move among the rows of metal shelving, to retrieve and replace books requested by library users.
“Now that we have moved the less-used books to the LRS, there is more room for people to work in the Library, it is easier to find books on the open shelves and we are experimenting with collaborative, high-tech spaces, exhibits and events while we plan our new library.” – Mal Booth, University Librarian
3.30pm
Network Café welcome (Underground – Activate Marketplace)
Orientation Day. Photographer Christine Le
International, study abroad and exchange students can start making friends and get a head-start on settling in to UTS.
“There is always something happening at UTS – like the Network Café or events run by ActivateUTS. It really makes me happy and satisfied to see the university is not only about assignments and deadlines but also a place I can connect to different cultures and make friends for the rest of my life.” – Luiz Felipe Gecys Santini, Bachelor of Design in Architecture
4.30pm
Aussie Workplace (Great Hall)
Orientation Day. Photographer Christine Le
Head to this workshop to gain an understanding of Australian workplace culture and practices, and to develop strategies to make your transition into the workplace smooth.
“The workshop aims to provide students with an understanding of the local workplace culture including their rights and responsibilities as employees.” – Esita Sogotubu, Employability Coordinator, UTS Careers Service
4.30pm
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences welcome
CB03.05.10
Find out all the essential info about your course and meet faculty staff and other new students. From 2016, these sessions will tell you what you need to do before your first day of class.
"We will go through all the activities students need to do before they start university, so that when they arrive on day one they will be familiar with our communication systems and expectations. We will also be running a scavenger hunt and challenges so students can get to know each other and our location between the ABC, Central Railway Station and Broadway Shopping Centre. The sessions aim to give students confidence in finding their way around UTS and connecting them up with staff and fellow students so they are excited and ready to tackle the next three to five years of their degree here at UTS."– Vicki Bamford, First Year Transition Experience Coordinator, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Orientation Week
Orientation Day. Photographer Christine Le
Check out the orientation calendar to get times, dates and locations for your official faculty welcome. Some faculties, like the Faculty of Health host Boot Camps, providing a basic introduction to the requirements and expectations of the profession.
“It was good because you got to meet people in the lectures and your tute, so when you got to the lecture the next week you had someone to sit with.” – Ellyana Kemp, first-year Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Arts in International Studies
Be sure to check out the campus tours, speed friending, study workshops, finance workshops. Don’t forget to also check out O’Day, where you can find out about all the clubs and societies we have on offer at UTS and the other activities on offer from ActivateUTS.
To find out more about what’s-on on campus check out:
- Take a look at what happened on the first day of this year’s Autumn semester orientation to find out what you can expect during your first official day at UTS next year
- Don’t forget to also check out O’Day, where you can find out about all the clubs and societies we have on offer at UTS or follow UTS @utsinsider and @utsengage