Online classes friend or foe?

-By Amanda

Dear Students,

I'm an on-campus student, however over the Summer I undertook a few Trimester 3 subjects. All of them were online.

First of all, I must say if you are not one for checking DSO regularly, if you know you won't go through any of the i-lectures or attend eLive classes, and if you know that you're going to leave everything to the last minute - avoid online subjects like the plague. However, if you hate the travelling, and if you have the means (good, reliable Internet access), then I can't praise online classes enough.
 
In my first post, I wrote about my sometimes difficult journey to Uni. Probably the biggest positive about online classes are that they eliminate the need to travel - perfect for me! Plus everything is readily available online, you can easily communicate with your peers, and did I mention there was no need to travel (which saves both time and money)?

My only warning though is that it is easy to fall behind. Personally, I prefer i-lectures because I can pause them and write my notes at my own pace, but at the same time I do find myself a bit more motivated if I'm actually on campus. The beauty of Uni is that it's you're choice, so go with what works for you.

Just a few tips if you do decide to study online;

• Pretend you're actually at Uni; studying from home has the potential for a loooooooot of distractions, try and pretend those don't exist (switch off the TV, close the YouTube & Facebook tabs).
• Build a routine; maybe check DSO at the same time every week, and make sure you know when you need to download your lectures or attend eLive tutorials.
• Enjoy the perks; get a good amount of sleep, eat well (chances are you won't have to buy junk food because you're out), and stress less!

Hopefully you're enjoying this Trimester, take care!!

Lost? Unsure? Let student services help you!

-By Erzsebet

I remember walking into university for the first time. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed not knowing what was to be happening next. I had been to the university many times before for rehearsals, and other little events here and there. What I did not know is that there are many services that can make transition to university life just that little bit easier. So I went for a little walk to see what I could find.

My first unit chair at Deakin was very welcoming and took the time to sit down and discuss my areas of concern especially as, coming back to on campus was the biggest hurdle in my life (well one of them!) She suggested the Disability Resource Centre-DRC. The staff at DRC assist those who have special needs, whether medical, or other. Together, with the liaison officers, I created a Learning Access Plan. This is a confidential document that assists the staff to ensure your needs are met.

Learning has never been my strong point but I found through ads that there were Language and Learning Advisers who can help with your work. I made an appointment and they gave me an hour session and we were able to go through what I need help with. These ranged from Essay writing skills to referencing in the different styles that are essential to the subject areas I am studying. They also suggested me to go to Study Skills workshops which help students in better academic writing and learn some useful tricks. These workshops have been really helpful and my marks have shown significant improvement since I have been at Deakin.

More often than not without realizing, we can feel overwhelmed, anxious or stressed. Effects of these symptoms vary from person to person. This sort of thing can affect the everyday functioning of an individual. I know from a personal level that my emotions can overtake me when I least expect it. The Counselling service at Deakin was and continues to be such a wonderful service to use as hard as it was at first! If you are feeling really down and out, don’t be afraid to ask for help! I even learnt there are medical services available for students right on campus! Nurses, Doctors, Counsellors, how much more convenience could one ask for?

Careers?! AHH! What do I want to do?! How will I get there?! So many ideas came and went through my mind. So I went to the Careers office-Jobshop. They offer resume checks, career tests, cover letter checks, etc. Last year, I went to an appointment with an adviser who helped me to work out that I was destined for area that I have always loved! – Commerce/HRM.

I recommend students to make the best use of all the DSL services that are provided, right here on campus.They are here to help us succeed and make the most of our time here at Deakin.

Orientation: Where is the Library?

-By Vanessa

Looking out from the fourth floor 24 hour computer lab window with ear phones in to help me focus (Beyoncé-Who rule the world - girls) I notice orientation is on again for first years.

Oh did you hear that?  A tone of, "yes been there done that!"

There are endless lines of students following trustingly.  I remember following and thinking; Oh Bleep how am I going to remember how to find the car again?  As I was lacking in Hansel and Gretel breadcrumbs I tried remembering particular points to no avail.  I felt like I was in a game of follow the leader but the only problem was at some point the leader would say bye and abandon and hide, laughing from behind the bushes.

Embarrassingly I did get lost! Even with the campus map. I kept looking for the letters on doorways and then found they were on the sides of the buildings.  I did eventually find my bottle green Toyota corolla (Myrtle the turtle - Yes, I did name my first car, doesn't everyone!)

Later on I joined yet another line to have my photo taken for my student card.  As they handed it to me I noticed I had a number and it was official, I had my license to learn.
Reality kicked in...

Year 12 was over and now university had begun.

I heard the words lecture, tutorials, DSO, Unit guide, Faculty and something about a star. What did they say- we have to register to be a star? Apparently to my disappointment it was the online timetabling system to register for classes, not a Deakin’s' Got Talent Search.

I had information overload by the end of the week, I thought I listened and absorbed everything.

But apparently I had not.

I didn't know the difference between a lecture and a tutorial.  I turned up with all my books to the lecture and tried in vain to write every word down, only to be told at the end of the lecture that the slides would be posted on DSO that evening.  Then I turned up to the tutorial without any books expecting to sit and listen like in the lecture with 400 others.  No, a big mistake, the tutorial was a class of about 20 and I was the only one without my books avoiding the tutor's glance as they asked for a response.  

I was however impressed with myself that I managed the online timetable system (STAR) with ease.  I even managed to fit all my classes into two days!  Woo hoo three days free a week!

Soon my joy turned to disappointment as my timetable was not workable.  Did I mention there is no recess or lunch bell at all?  I needed to arrange my classes to allow time for breaks.  I also realised I booked in for a tutorial on opposite sides of campus.  Let’s just say for the physically challenged with the ten minutes between classes I learnt my lesson.  The next trimester I learnt to balance my days to allow for breaks, study and yes tracking across campus.

First year was a challenge.  I didn't know a single person on day one.  I can't remember how many times I said, “Hi!"  and "What are you studying?” as opposed to prison talk of "What are you in for?". Having friends on-campus helped. 

I understand now it took time to adjust, learn new skills, make friends and most of all settle in. 

................................................................................

I am so temped to say something to some first years trying to decipher a campus map.  I stop myself, instead I say excuse me as I pass through to the vending machine to swipe my Deakin card and collect my Lychee Tea.

"I found it; we are here, so the library is building V which is that way!”