UC Orientation

Overview

This Orientation module will cover:

• Some of the essential study and academic skills needed at University
• The resources and people who can assist you along the way
• Employability skills that can prepare you for future endeavours

Before You Begin

Starting at University is an exciting and challenging experience, regardless of the stage of life you are in.  There are likely to be more questions than answers at the start, and this is only natural. Many students experience a kind of ‘culture shock’ as they adjust to the new language and learning environment. In fact, University has its own ‘culture’ which has unique expectations around how you write, the language specific to University and your area of interest, and the different digital tools and programs you’ll be using.

It is not uncommon to feel like you don't belong or to experience what commonly referred to as "imposter syndrome," where you may feel like you don’t belong, despite your accomplishments.  These feelings are normal and many students have them. However, keep in mind, that University is a place for growth, and support is available to help you succeed and feel more confident in your academic journey.

We hope that this Orientation module will help you to settle in smoothly and be successfully in your study.

Getting Prepared

Two of the most important skills you will need to develop and employ in the early stages of study are organisation and time management.

Some of the resources below will help you get better organised for the terms ahead. You will find them valuable for planning purposes and balancing personal, work and academic schedules.

Key Dates & Calendars

Both the key-dates and calendars are available through this link:

Support Services

UTAS offers support services to assist with time management, planning and range of other requests and/or services. The PDF provides a list and contact details for some of these people, including Academic Coaches (sometimes known as Academic Coaches), Learning Advisers, Career Advisers, Tech support, Enrolment, Wellbeing, etc. We suggest you print off the attached PDF and post it in your study space.

Unit Outline

The Unit Outline is an essential document provided for each of your units. It can be found on each of your units’ MyLO sites. It contains all the specifics about the unit and what will be expected of you to complete the unit. We recommend you read it thoroughly and download a copy for easy access and reference.

Time Management Tips

Effective time management is important for balancing the demands of university coursework, personal commitments, and, for some, professional responsibilities. By prioritising tasks, setting realistic goals, and creating a structured schedule, you can enhance productivity and reduce stress.

If you’d like additional assistance with time management, refer to the two videos below. The second video provides an overview of the useful Pomodoro technique.

Other Equally Important Skills

Other skills you will often hear referred to throughout your course of study are employability, or transferable skills. Industry and organisations are looking for employees who have the skills, attributes and qualities to be successful in their workplace culture. For each workplace and industry this might be slightly different, however many of these skills apply across most such as: problem-solving, creativity, innovation, team work and critical thinking. You will have the opportunity to develop or acquire these skills through your study with University College.

If you would like to build your Academic and Employability skills, the attached PDF provides links to short videos:

Getting Started

University College appeals to many students because of the high degree of flexibility offered through its online learning approach. This learning context enables students to balance family commitments, work responsibilities, and coursework effectively.  Working in an online space will introduce you to various technologies, making digital literacy a valuable skill you will acquire throughout your studies.

One platform that you will use from the start is My Learning Online, or MyLO, which is your online learning space. MyLO is where you will access your weekly content, which will be delivered in text, videos/podcasts and interactive activities.  It is also where you will upload assessment tasks.

Starting with MyLO, below is a list of some of the digital technologies you will be using at University College with an explanation and support services.

MyLO

MyLO is the online environment (or virtual classroom) that you will have access to while studying at University College. The platform hosts each unit’s learning materials. You will also have access to the non-award Practice and Academic Toolbox and Coach Support MyLO unit that is open all year round. The Practice and Academic Toolbox contains all the study resources you need to meet your academic needs, along with resources to build your practitioner skills.

The video below provides a brief overview of MyLO with a focus on some of the most valuable places and tools to use, including navigation strategies.

Generative Artificial Intelligence

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) can be useful for personal, professional and academic purposes.   While GenAI can assist you, it shouldn’t replace your independent, creative and critical thinking. Refer to the UTAS Student Portal which has FAQs on Gen AI.

We encourage you to review the guide below which outlines the responsible and ethical use of these tools at University:

Other Digital Tools

During your coursework you may be asked to complete tasks that could be done more efficiently using digital tools, such as software (e.g. Excel) or applications.

For example, if you are asked to complete a flowchart or mindmap, Canva is an excellent online, free resource that can build it for you with suggested templates.   We encourage you to refer to resources in the Practice and Academic Toolbox as a starting point

Zoom is a widely used video conferencing tool that enables virtual meetings and online interactions. At University College, Zoom will be the main platform for hosting tutorials, allowing for real-time engagement with other students and teaching staff. Through Zoom, you can participate in discussions, ask questions, and collaborate with peers.

This last part of the Getting Started section is about taking care of a few administrative steps.

1. Double check that your eStudent details are correct

Ensure that your enrolment record is correct, including:

• your personal details,
• that you are enrolled in the correct unit(s) for the term,
• that you have paid all fees and charges, and
• that you have completed all compulsory forms (e.g. eCAF)

To do this you will need to log into your eStudent account

2. Log into your UTAS webmail

Information from the University as well as your teachers will be communicated through webmail. It is recommended that you check webmail at least 3 times a week to keep up to date with events and vital information.

3. Download Microsoft 365

Free to all UTAS students, we recommend that you download the full suite of Office Microsoft 365 to your computer.

Settling In

In this last section, Settling In, the focus is more on the resources, services and support available to you.

To begin, we strongly encourage that you review this wonderful resource from the University Counselling Service which identifies 5 Ways to Wellbeing.

Studying can put pressure on our mental, physical and social health. This module provides simple and effective tips and strategies to maintain and boost your wellbeing.

Familiarising yourself and utilising these resources will help you adjust more quickly to University College and be more successful in your study and achieving your goals.

Key People and Resources

At University College there are several key people you will be working with each term, which include your Unit Coordinator(s) and Academic Coach.

Unit Coordinators

For discipline-specific information and content-related questions, your teacher (or Unit Coordinator) will be your first point of contact.  They can assist you with questions around content, resources and materials related to subject, and assessment tasks.

Academic Coaches

At University College there are several key people you will be working with each term, which include your Unit Coordinator(s) and Academic Coach.

For discipline-specific information and content-related questions, your teacher (or Unit Coordinator) will be your first point of contact.

Academic Coaches

The Practice and Academic Toolbox and Bookcase

The Academic Coaches have a non-award MyLO unit which is loaded with academic and study skill resources. It changes regularly, so we encourage you to ‘pin’ this site and check it weekly. On this site we upload “just-in-time” resources relevant to what’s happening in the Semester, including voluntary workshops like “Writing at University.”

The Academic Coaches have also designed a comprehensive digital ‘Bookcase’ which contains more than 70 modules on various topics and skills that may contribute to your academic and professional development. For example, you may be asked to create a mind map for an assessment. In the Bookcase there is a module on ‘Mind Mapping’ which details what a mind map is, its purpose and uses, and strategies for completing a mind map.

The video below provides an overview of the Bookcase and a student perspective on its value.

We strongly encourage you to browse through the range of topics in the Bookcase.

Support Services

University of Tasmania has numerous support services available to assist with a range of questions and needs. The links below will take you to some of these resources and people, available to you at any point in your course of study.

UTAS Life

Lastly, we encourage you to enrich your academic and professional experience by engaging in the University of Tasmania community’s many events, clubs and committees. Visit the UTAS Life page to get a sense of the variety of clubs and activities taking place:

Thank you for taking the time to review this UC Orientation module. It has provided you with an overview of the resources, tools and information available to you at the University of Tasmania.

We believe that engaging with the digital places discussed here, and familiarising yourself with the learning tools, will help prepare you for the exciting academic, personal and professional journey ahead at University College.