Mature age student Joanne Payne believes student mentors offer that personal touch during orientation.Third-year Social Work student Joanne Payne knows first hand how daunting going to university for the first time can be, especially for a mature-age student.

"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, Joanne hopes to help new students feel at home at CQU Bundaberg and will provide support during their first year of study.

"As a brand new student, having a hand-up and someone to personally connect with who knows the university routine, is a huge benefit," Joanne explained.

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

"Student mentors offer that personal touch during Orientation.

"But our role does not end when O Week ends - although O Week is the most fun part of the job.

"Student mentors offer support to students throughout the year, whether it be study advice or just some encouragement as assignment deadlines roll on in."

CQU Bundaberg's orientation program kicks off on Monday February 18 through until Friday February 22 with Uni Skills Workshops in maths, health science, computing, assignment writing and research.

As many as 300 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 until Thursday February 28. Distance education orientation is planned for Saturday and Sunday February 23 and 24. 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 discovery trail, a class smart know-how session and a Who Dares Wins session (a chance to try an activity you have never tried before).

A Partners and Parents Information Evening will be held on Wednesday evening from 6.30pm and a UniMart will be staged from 10am to 11am on Thursday at the Refectory.

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