Semester Three Orientation Day assists new students

Classes have now begun for students studying in Semester Three at the University of Southern Queensland's (USQ) Springfield Campus.

First year education student Renee Evans said the she had chosen to start her degree in semester three to kick it off as soon as possible.

'I am studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary & Middle) and if I hadn't started in semester three, I would have had to wait until March next year to begin,' Renee said.

'I have friends who have studied through USQ and they really enjoyed it, so I thought it would be a good place to complete my degree.'

As USQ Springfield seeks to fulfil its campus theme of Community Centred - Career Focused Renee represents a growing number of students who are signing up with their local university because of positive word of mouth feedback from friends.

Renee took part in the semester three Orientation Day last week with other new students to help them find their feet before classes began.

'The orientation day was a really helpful, it was great to meet my lecturers and now I have a better understanding of where everything is.'

Renee hopes to teach middle school years on completion of her program.

'I don't really mind where I work as a teacher when I am finished, in my local area or a rural community would both be great.'

Nick Todd from the Learning and Teaching Support Unit (LTSU) at USQ Springfield said USQ offers three semesters, rather than the standard two.

'This enables students to manage their studies with far greater flexibility and can help them fast track their studies, or spread their studies over a full calendar year,' Mr Todd said.

'The majority of the Springfield cohort are the first members of their family to attend university.

'We ease them into university life with the Orientation Day, it helps to demystify it a little.

'They get to meet their peers, their faculty, and students from across the campus not in their faculty who they will bump into from time to time.

'We always ask our Orientation students to evaluate the day, and they always claim how valuable it has been.

'Although this Semester Three Orientation is traditionally the smallest of the year, once again the vast majority of students rated the day as being excellent.'

Media Contact:  Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119 or 0428 102 979