Jacqui Moudon hopes to help new students at CQU Gladstone feel at home.Third-year Bachelor of Learning Management (Early Childcare) student Jacqui Loudon knows first hand how daunting going to university for the first time can be.

Jacqui began her degree at CQU in Emerald where she remembers finding it hard coping with study and taking care of her 3 children.

"Without the support of my peers and the staff I think I could have easily dropped out of uni," she explained.

But she persisted, is halfway through her degree at CQU Gladstone and is looking forward to working as a teacher with the School of Distance Education.

Jacqui is now determined to help other new students through the first year of study by becoming a student mentor.

"Where do I go, who are my lecturers, what are they like, where do I go when I need help?" It is these sorts of questions that first-year university students face every year.

As a CQU student mentor, Jacqui hopes to help new students feel at home at CQU and will provide support during their first year of study.

"Because mentors are students as well, first-year students feel more comfortable in asking for help from them rather than in front of a large crowd," Jacqui explains.

"Students are able to make that connection with mentors so that they are able to approach us any time during the year for any problems or advice."

Each first-year student beginning at CQU has the opportunity to be linked with a student mentor during Orientation Week (O Week).

"O Week provides opportunities for students in finding new friendships, whilst getting to know the routine of uni life, while also participating in some fun activities as well.

"Attending O Week I think is very important. As I moved campus halfway through the academic year it was very daunting to experience a campus which I did not know, not knowing exactly where to go and knowing absolutely no one at all.

"O Week helps you find your feet."

CQU Gladstone's Orientation program kicks off on Monday February 18 with Uni Skills Workshops in maths, assignment writing and research.

As many as 100 new students will be able to participate in the official Orientation Week (O Week) activities.

The official Orientation Week (O Week) activities for on-campus students begin Tuesday February 26 and run until Friday February 29. Distance education orientation is planned for Saturday February 23. Part-time students are encouraged to come to either the on-campus or distance education orientation.

Students will meet with their student mentor, attend faculty meetings and take part in other activities aimed at preparing students for the year ahead.

There will be a Student Learning Journey Introduction, the Great Chook Wheel Challenge and Quiz, sessions in computing and e-courses. 

A Partners and Parents session will be held Tuesday February 26 from 9.30am and a UniMart will be staged from 12.30pm until 1.30pm on Wednesday.

A Student Association Sausage Sizzle will be held on Thursday February 28 from 1pm and a Toga Party is planned for Friday from 5.30pm until late.

A full program can be accessed via: http://www.cqu.edu.au/orientation .