7 February 2024: The University of Canberra’s Semester One O-Week celebrations kicked off in spectacular fashion last week with the Welcome Fest, followed by the first round of the ever popular Speed Friending.
Market Day was a riot, as the University set up over 100 stalls featuring various clubs and societies on campus, local businesses, food, free merch and even a planking challenge.
Free ice cream on Thursday was a drawcard for new students, following a night of festivities at the Toga Party on Wednesday.
The University’s newest students will now begin to settle into their new homes on campus, build new routines around lectures, tutes and social occasions, and begin making new friends and memories.
Among these newest recruits are the students joining us from the NSW regions. Thursday’s Welcome Lunch for Regional and Rural Students, hosted by Student Equity and Participation saw a turn-out of new recruits from across the Eastern seaboard, down South as far as Merimbula, all the way up to port Macquarie on the Mid-north coast, and inland as far as Tumbarumba.
Harrington Cornock relocated to Canberra from Merimbula, to study a Bachelor of Software Engineering and has been feeling the whole wheel of emotions as he moves away from home for the first time to start a new chapter.
“I chose UC because I thought it would be easier to move here – it’s only a three-hour drive from home and the rent is a lot cheaper than Sydney!” Harrington said.
Harrington has enjoyed his O-Week experience, and feels it’s set him up with early social connections before the semester begins.
“It’s been great! I’ve gotten to know where everything is and to meet new people. It’s been an amazing experience. The lunch has been great so far, and I’m hoping to do speed friending this afternoon.”
Similarly, Caitlin has just moved from Orange, in NSW, and has found O-Week to be the perfect introduction to university life, with a mix of helpful activities and opportunities to mix, mingle and have a bit of fun before the getting into the swing of study.
“The vibe’s been great, I’ve loved being here. I’ve been to a couple of activities where I’ve met some really nice people, so it’s very comforting,” Caitlin said.
With O-Week festivities all wrapped up and Semester One in full swing, now's the time to build strong study routines and practices. Students can visit the Study Help site on MyUC for all the information, study tips and resources needed to make the most of 2024.
Those feeling a touch of nostalgia can relive the O-Week highlights via the photo albums on the official University of Canberra Facebook page.
