Orientation and important dates

Orientation (known by students as O’Week) is your introduction to JCU. It is a great time to meet your Academic Advisors, International Student Centre staff and other students. Orientation consists of a variety of activities, both academic and social and is designed to provide students with an understanding of the Australian university system and living in Australia. Amongst other things, students will be informed about student visa requirements, course and subject enrolment, computer and library services, your email account and access, the student mentor program, dealing with culture shock, support and welfare services, and social activities.

As a part of Orientation, the International Student Centre holds a welcome event at the beginning of each Teaching Period for new international students. This is a great opportunity to meet other students as well as getting to meet the friendly staff of the International Student Centre.

The Townsville and Cairns Orientation Programs can be downloaded from Orientation Week.

Important dates 2010

Teaching Period 1

Arrival Service	1 February – 14 February
Welcome Information Sessions in Townsville	Tuesday 2 February, Thursday 4 February, Tuesday 9 February, Thursday 11 February and Sunday 14 February
Welcome Information Sessions in Cairns	Friday 12 February and Monday 15 February
Orientation	15 February – 19 February
Classes begin	22 February
Mid-semester recess	19 April – 23 April
Classes end	28 May
Study/Exam Period	31 May – 18 June*

Teaching Period 2

Arrival Service	5 July – 18 July
Orientation	19 July – 23 July
Classes begin	26 July
Mid-semester recess	27 September – 1 October
Classes end	29 October
Study/Exam Period	1 November – 19 November*

Important dates 2011

Teaching Period 1

Arrival Service	30 January – 13 February
Orientation	14 – 18 February
Classes begin	21 February
Mid-semester recess	18 – 22 April
Classes end	27 May
Study/Exam Period	30 May – 18 June*

Teaching Period 2

Arrival Service	3 – 17 July
Orientation	18 – 22 July
Classes begin	25 July
Mid-semester recess	26 – 30 September
Classes end	28 October
Study/Exam Period	31 October – 18 November*

* Please note, you must NOT make travel bookings for dates that fall during the examination periods. JCU regulations do not allow you to sit exams before they are scheduled. Deferred exams are only granted in exceptional circumstances. Travel bookings or holiday plans that clash with the exam schedules are not considered "exceptional" circumstances.