The pop culture image of Orientation Week involves keg parties and drunken fraternity initiations but the focus these days is on giving students a taste of academic life...

There are still opportunities for good, clean fun and socialising but Orientation Week now has a focus on accessing services and assistance.

Mentors help students learn the ropes

The event now caters for a broader range of participants, including school leavers, adult learners, parents and partners, on-campus students, distance and flex students, regional campus students and international students.

Student mentors - more advanced students available to show the newbies the ropes - are a significant key to the event's success and are even available to those studying on-line.

Orientation coordinator Dr Gemma Mann says the Week gives students the chance to meet key academics, program advisors and support staff and to find out what is important. There's also the option to attend skills sessions.

"We don't expect them to be able to do everything in the first week ... just to know what's important for them to find out," she said.

Dr Mann said each of the campuses had arranged opportunities for socialising, with events including a Funny Money auction in Rockhampton, a Bingo extravaganza in Bundaberg, a Wheel of Fortune in Gladstone, a Film and Music night in Mackay, a Barbecue in Emerald and a Yacht Club evening in Noosa.

Campus tours are on offer

Comprehensive details are available via the Orientation Week web links.

If you plan to attend a Parents & Partners Evening, Skills Session or Flex Orientation please register on 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or email helpme@cqu.edu.au with your name, student number, location and dates.