Overview
The undergraduate JCU Orientation Program runs over a six-week period with activities commencing the week before Orientation Week (O Week) and finishing in Week 4. This ‘longer and thinner’ approach means you receive the right information at the right time during your transition into university to avoid being overwhelmed at the start. It is important to participate in transition activities as research at JCU shows that it increases student retention by up to 23% and 1 Grade Point Average (you stay and succeed).
How will this module help me?
- Access your O Week program for your course of study
- Understand the importance of orientation activities
- Learn how to access information to participate in O Week activities
- Hear from past students who attended O Week.
How long does this module take?
- 20 minutes
Welcome to O Week
O Week celebrates the beginning of your uni life and is packed with essential information and fun activities.
Your Course Welcome is an essential session where you will be officially welcomed to JCU, take a tour of the campus, meet the Student Mentors and fellow students whilst enjoying a free lunch.
You will also meet your First Year Experience Coordinator and lecturers who will take you through an interactive session that allows you to engage in social and academic activities within the context of your discipline. This session will also include information about academic expectations, course structure and essential information, and career paths for your degree. Students report that connecting with their peers was one of the most valuable aspects of orientation, so be brave and introduce yourself to others (virtually or face-to-face) and find some like-minded peers to help each other succeed and feel a sense of belonging at university. Don't miss this!
O Week Social brought to you by JCUSA. Be sure to check out the social calendar for O Week and what's happening on campus in Cairns and Townsville.
O Week Programs
Trimester 1, 2023 O Week runs from 6 – 10 February
JCU Be Ready Orientation Program for Business & Commerce Students - Thursday 9th Feb, 9am-2pm
Business & Commerce students are required to attend the ‘Be Ready’ Program. The ‘Be Ready’ Program will prepare you for your university studies by covering topics including academic preparation, digital tools for learning, study skills and approaching assessments.
Register now: Cairns Students | Townsville Students | External Online Students
Bachelor of IT Course Introduction - Tuesday 7 February, 10am-12pm
IT students are introduced to their course through this session. The Course Introduction will provide you with information regarding your university studies, including academic preparation, digital tools for learning, study skills and assessment.
Register Here: https://bit.ly/TR1_IT_Orientation
Townsville - Room 17-064
Cairns - Room E002-111
Online - via Zoom | password 290107
Postgraduate Student Orientation - 14 February
Welcome to all students starting their Postgraduate Degree with JCU. We invite you to join us for your Orientation and meet the support services staff and other students studying at postgraduate level. This event is held on campus in Cairns and Townsville. Please head here to register your attendance.
Study Period 1, 2023 O Week runs from 13 - 17 February
Find your Study Period Academic Course Welcome in the drop down lists below. These welcomes outline your official welcome to JCU and all that is happening in O Week. Also find out how to book in for a library tour as well as what short courses and workshops you can register for.
Your Academic Course Welcome
- Arts (PDF, 150 KB)
- Dental Surgery (PDF, 158 KB)
- Diploma of Higher Education (PDF, 125 KB)
- Education (PDF, 142 KB)
- Engineering (PDF, 83 KB)
- Laws (PDF, 120 KB)
- Medicine and Surgery (PDF, 209 KB)
- Nursing Science (PDF, 301 KB)
- Pharmacy (PDF, 345 KB)
- Science (PDF, 120 KB)
- Social Work (PDF, 123 KB)
- Technology and Innovation (PDF, 103 KB)
- Advanced Science (PDF, 141 KB)
- Arts (PDF, 121 KB)
- Biomedical Science (PDF, 124 KB)
- Diploma of Higher Education (PDF, 107 KB)
- Education (PDF, 140 KB)
- Engineering (PDF, 101 KB)
- Environmental Practice (PDF, 103 KB)
- Geology (PDF, 101 KB)
- Laws (PDF, 122 KB)
- Marine Science (PDF, 101 KB)
- Medical Laboratory Science (PDF, 304 KB)
- Medicine and Surgery (PDF, 192 KB)
- Nursing and Midwifery (PDF, 322 KB)
- Occupational Therapy (PDF, 367 KB)
- Pharmacy (PDF, 347 KB)
- Physiotherapy (PDF, 305 KB)
- Planning (PDF, 122 KB)
- Psychological Science (PDF, 136 KB)
- Science (PDF, 103 KB)
- Social Work (PDF, 103 KB)
- Speech Pathology (PDF, 306 KB)
- Sport and Exercise Science (PDF, 322 KB)
- Technology and Innovation (PDF, 101 KB)
- Veterinary Science (PDF, 141 KB)
O Week Online and Recordings
O Week Online
Be introduced to university with your official course welcome and meet the support services available to you. There are also course activities you are encouraged to attend if you are studying externally online.
| Date | Time | Online Session | Guest Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thurs. 9 Feb | 5.30pm - 6.30pm | Online Australian Indigenous New Students Orientation | Enter Session Here |
| Mon. 13 Feb | 9.30am -11.30am | Official Welcome to JCU & Support Services Information Session | Enter Session Here |
| Wed. 15 Feb | 9.00am - 11.00am | Diploma of Higher Education | Enter Session Here |
| Wed. 15 Feb | 9.00am - 10.00am | Bachelor of Nursing Science External Students Online Course Activity | Enter Session Here |
| Fri. 17 Feb | 9.00am - 10.00am | Bachelor of Laws Students Online Course Activity | Enter Session Here |
| Fri. 17 Feb | 9.00am - 10.00am | Bachelor of Social Work Students Online Course Activity | Enter Session Here |
| Fri. 17 Feb | 10.00am - 11.00am | Bachelor of Arts Students Online Course Activity | Enter Session Here |
| Fri. 17 Feb | 12.00pm - 1.00pm | Online Australian Indigenous New Students Orientation | Enter Session Here |
These sessions are for students studying online externally, nursing students at JCU Clinical Training Centre, pharmacy students at JCU Clinical School at the Mackay Base Hospital Campus and nursing students on the JCU Mt Isa, Murtupuni Campus.
Orientation Recordings
Not on campus? No worries. You can access our previously recorded sessions below to help with your transition to uni life!
Student testimonials
What do other students say about their Orientation experience?
Bachelor of Nursing Science
“I would recommend all students attend Orientation as it was highly beneficial for my smooth transition to university. I reaped the rewards of learning about resources, support services, classroom locations, academic skills, as well as meeting teaching staff and fellow students, which have all supported my ongoing success”.
Bachelor of Business - Bachelor of Laws
“Starting university can be daunting and everybody has their own concerns and challenges that cause some anxiety. I met my mentor in O Week who was a familiar, friendly face around campus that made it all seem a little less scary. The Student Mentor Program helped me to relax and get into the swing of university life very quickly.”
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
“I was excited to being studying at JCU and attended O Week. These activities helped me understand the university and what my course entailed, and introduced me to other students who have become friends”.
Speech Pathology
“My advice to new students is to attend O Week and talk to people! Make the effort to get to know other students in your course. They are going to be there if you need help, and some will become good friends too”.
Bachelor of Education
“Student mentors provide an important perspective into starting university and succeeding throughout the course of the first study period. It was beneficial to have a mentor who had just started second year, as his first-year experiences were fresh in his mind. Ultimately, hindsight is a powerful tool and he was able to provide me with some incredibly helpful tips.”
Bachelor of Arts
“I encourage new students to get involved, go to O Week, and meet the Mentors and your fellow students. Building a network at university will help you to stay balanced and to realise that everyone has highs and lows throughout their study”.
Bachelor of Nursing Science
“I would highly recommend students attend O Week activities. O Week breaks the ice with fellow students and lecturers and gives you an overview of life as a university student. It gives you great insight into what the course will be like and makes you feel comfortable from day one”.