Hundreds of first year students are finding their way around the Central Queensland University Bundaberg campus as they kick off their studies with Orientation Week activities between February 24 and February 27, 2003.

Orientation Week Coordinator Michele Palu said the week was crucial for students and was a mixture of fun and more serious activities to get students ready for their University life.

“The internal students will participate in a four day long Orientation program that is a mixture of lectures, workshops, formal and less formal activities to introduce them to life at the University,” Ms Palu said.

Many students are unaware of the changes that they will experience when they start University. It’s a completely different world.

She said a very effective way to help the students adjust was through the Mentoring Program.

“From their first day, new students are paired with a mentor. Mentors are more experienced students who can assist first year students in accessing information and services within the university. This is the beginning of year-long help offered to new students by mentors.

Activities will include the Formal Orientation Ceremony on Monday morning, a pyjama breakfast, lectures on Making the Most out of Lectures, Stress and Time Management (to name but a few).

Bundaberg businesses have also got behind O’ Week, staging and participating in a number of events that are happening both on and off campus. “These include Tuesday’s Try Before You Die sessions, where students are encouraged to try a new sport or activity such as car maintenance, paper-mache, yoga, or even belly dancing. When we first ran Try Before You Die two years ago, the only complaint that we had from the students was there weren’t enough places on activities – everyone really got into the spirit of things,” Ms Palu said. On Wednesday, businesses and clubs have the chance to highlight their services and opportunities for students in UNIMART between 10am and 11 am. Finally, on Thursday, after starting with a pyjama breakfast at 8:30am, the day will culminate with a grand auction where the students will be able to bid for prizes with “CQU funny money” earnt during the week. “This event is great success and would just not have been possible without the support of local businesses,” Ms Palu said.

Photo:CQU Bundaberg O’Week Coordinator Michelle Palu adds the finishing touches to the water features.