Coping with Studies
Cultural differences are everywhere - even in the classroom!
The study environment at most Australian institutions is informal and interactive. Group projects, oral and written presentations, exams and practical sessions are all common methods of learning and teaching. Most institutions encourage students to undertake their own, independent study to solve a problem or produce a report. Group work (working in a small team of students to complete a task) is also a very common method of teaching and learning.
Be prepared to speak up, contribute your own ideas and debate issues during class discussions, group work and presentations. This is expected of all students and is a part of learning how to think and solve problems. Don’t worry if you feel shy. This is natural at first but you should quickly become more confident.
All institutions have services and facilities to help you understand, learn and keep up to date with your studies. Some of these are mentioned below:
All universities and most schools and colleges hold international student orientations for new students. It is very important that you attend! You will be given a large amount of very useful information about living, studying, and planning your course. You will find out about how to enrol, procedures for paying your fees, attendance requirements and so forth. And very importantly, you will be introduced to the staff at your institution who can help you settle in and assist you to achieve maximum benefits from your studies.
Depending on the size of your institution, there may be a special international student centre or reception where you can go to ask for advice on any matters to do with living or studying in Queensland.
Get to know the International Student Advisor(s) at your institution. International Student Advisors can help you with a very wide range of matters by giving you advice and referring you to other relevant people, if necessary. Depending on your institution, your International Student Advisor may be called a Counsellor, a Client Relations Officer, or they may be one of your teachers who has special responsibility for international students. At most universities they are called International Student Advisors.
Your teachers and lecturers are often available, either during class or out of class hours to give you help and guidance with your work. If you are not sure when your teacher is available, ask if you can make an appointment to see them. It is normal and OK to talk to teachers or lecturers and ask for guidance.
Depending on where you are studying, there may also be people to help you use the library, computers, laboratories and other facilities at your institution.
Remember: your success is your responsibility! If you are not understanding some of your classes, or if you cannot follow the textbooks; if you don’t know how to complete a project or other task, or if you can’t get your computer access running smoothly, don’t worry about it in secret: Ask for help!!
Last updated 19 October 2007
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