Starting university is exciting, but can also be daunting. That\'s why CQU has provided a week of activities to help new students survive their first year of study.

Rockhampton's Orientation activities include this weekend\'s (Feb 25-26), opportunity for off-campus students to meet their fellow students and university support and faculty staff.

Monday's (Feb 27) program includes specialised activities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students during the day, and parents and partners of students during the evening.

Orientation Week in Rockhampton hits full gear with a welcome for all students from 9am on Tuesday, February 28, (in the Sports Centre) and runs until Friday, March 3. According to First Year Experience Coordinator Olive Mallory, students should try to attend all relevant sessions to best prepare them for their studies at CQU.

“Orientation is a student’s survival guide to university,” Ms Mallory said.

During O’Week students can access specific program and course information, get their timetable and text book list, find their way around university, and negotiate the university system.

Students can also be linked with a student mentor – a second or third-year student who acts as an advisor and role model throughout their first year.

The Student Mentor Program assists new students to quickly feel at home at CQU and provides support during their first year of tertiary studies.

The aim of the program is to provide students with access to vital information in a more efficient and effective manner, smooth the transition to university life and foster a sense of belonging.

“There is an expectation that first-year students will be able to ‘hit the ground running’ on day one of the first term, so it is important to be prepared.”.

A full list of O’Week events can be viewed on the internet by accessing the link from CQU's home page: www.cqu.edu.au .

Photo: CQU students Mike Akpughe (right), Yuka Kobayash, and Raquel Martinez Garcia (front) prepare for the start of the new university year.