Author: josephpopov

Joseph is a born and bred Novocastrian studying Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Social Science. His hobbies include watching movies and TV shows, reading books and hanging out. He is a member of disability advocacy organisation, CDAH, and aspires to be an advocate for minority groups.

So… what’s the deal with iLEAD Plus?

May 15, 2018

Viewing yourself as a leader of tomorrow can seem like an impossible goal. But even the greatest minds of our time had to start somewhere. So why not start right now at the University of Newcastle? If you’re looking to see change on a global scale and make lasting connections, it’s time for you to check out iLEAD Plus; the program for establishing tomorrow’s leaders.

What is iLEAD Plus?

“New doesn’t follow. It takes the lead,” says UON Global International Engagement Officer, Maria Avia.

“The iLEAD Plus program at the University of Newcastle is designed to empower our most future-focused students. iLEAD Plus scholars draw from diverse experiences and are determined to inspire others—driving to extraordinary outcomes.”

The unique program aims to cater to your individual leadership goals, as well as expand and build upon your networking skills. After all, it’s not just what you know, but who you know. iLEAD Plus is great for helping you make connections with UON’s wide network of alumni, which otherwise might be hard to establish.

iLEAD Plus is built on six agilities which have been identified as necessary to be leaders in a rapidly evolving global workforce. These are: new media literacy, building relationships with influence, leveraging and valuing diversity, global citizen, entrepreneurial mindset and positioning.

Ok…but what actually IS iLEAD Plus?

The iLEAD Plus program is delivered in three stages. Each of these stages focus on a specific area to facilitate your leadership skills, these being:

  1. Emerging Leaders
  2. Launching Leaders
  3. iLEAD Scholars

Stage one, ‘Emerging Leaders’ is all about learning what it means to be a leader and engaging in global citizen learning. You are exposed to a network of diverse leaders within the community, who aim to inspire you to create your own leadership goals.

“It involves four interactive workshops to learn and develop leadership capabilities in global citizenship with UON academic leaders across different disciplinary areas,” Maria said.

You also get the opportunity to partner with a mentor who will help you create an action plan to achieve your leadership goals. These mentors are professionals with expertise in a wide variety of industries.

Once you have successfully completed stage one, you can then apply for stage two. During this stage you further develop the iLEAD Plus agilities to ready yourself for your future career. The big focus of this stage is your pre-selected leadership experience. There’s heaps to choose from, such as attending the University Scholars Leadership Symposium in Bangkok! The workshops and mentoring throughout stage two will be tailored to whatever leadership opportunity you choose, with you having the chance to share your progress with others in iLEAD Plus.

Finally, stage three is a culmination of the hard yards you’ve put in iLEAD Plus and includes the opportunity to apply for international experiences.

Benefits of iLEAD Plus

There are numerous benefits of completing iLEAD Plus. These include:

  • Developing skills to boost your employability outcomes
  • Making new friends by networking with other aspiring leaders from different disciplines
  • Improving your much-needed soft skills (communication, planning, team work, networking, problem solving and the iLEAD Plus agilities)
  • Meeting professionals in your area of interest
  • Making an impact on local, national or international scale by utilising your acquired skills and experiences from completing ILEAD Plus

Last, but not least, successful completion of iLEAD Plus will be included on your Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS) when you graduate. Basically, this statement shows employers all the neat extra stuff you did while studying.

How do I get involved?

Like most other courses at UON, iLEAD Plus is subject to enrolment numbers. You can express your interest for Semester 2 here. If you don’t get in, don’t fret – there’s always next time.

iLEAD Plus is your chance to build the skills, qualities and perspectives you need to be a great leader of tomorrow. So what you waiting for!?!? Those leadership skills aren’t going to appear out of nowhere.

For more information, visit https://www.newcastle.edu.au/study/ilead-plus-international-leadership/why-ilead-plus

The ALLY Network: Your safe space at UON

March 6, 2018

Students can experience numerous challenges while at university, but for those who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, these can be especially unique. The University of Newcastle aspires to be an inclusive environment – which is why the ALLY Network is such an important support service. If you’re struggling with your sexual orientation or gender identity, this can be your safe space on campus. Navigator spoke with Equity and Diversity Coordinator, Astrid Gearin, on how the ALLY Network can help you.

What is the ALLY Network?

The ALLY Network is a specialised network of UON peers who are trained in discussing and advocating issues facing the LGBTQIA+ community. These Allies can be your fellow students, staff, and even your lecturers. By challenging anti LGBTQIA+ prejudice, stigmas and heteronormative values, the ALLY Network facilitates a more inclusive and welcoming environment at the University.

While Allies are not experts of sexuality and gender identity, they are required to undertake regular professional development so they can hone their knowledge, remain up to date and current on matters that impact LGBTIQA+* community members.

According to Astrid, “The [ALLY] Network’s aim is to create a network of support across the University.” This involves “Challenging themselves and others on issues of sexual prejudice in the workplace, such as homophobia and heterosexism.”

How the ALLY Network helps students

Nobody wants to feel like they’re alone. By contacting an Ally, they provide you with the opportunity to be heard and understood. Everything shared between yourself and an Ally is completely confidential, and they will approach it with an open and respecting attitude. As part of their training, they are able to refer you to other support services both on and off campus, such as but not limited to; ACON (based at Islington) and the UON Queer Collective.

Allies strive to increase the visibility and awareness of LGBTQIA+ related issues, and if needed, will advocate on your behalf.

NUSA’s Queer Convenor, Ollie Cook, has witnessed first-hand how the ALLY Network can benefit students.

“LGBTQIA+ students benefit from the ALLY network because it means that staff on campus are aware of issues that affect queer students specifically and are there as a friendly ear or face when needed. Students benefit from being able to go to staff who are specifically trained to be aware of the problems queer students face and are able to deal with this more,” they said.

A key measure the ALLY Network has helped with was the inaugural raising of the rainbow flag during Pride Week 2017.

“We were able to have quite a number of staff and students at the event to be able to celebrate the pride flag being raised at the University of Newcastle,” Ollie said.

How to contact an Ally

You can find a full list of the Allies at UON here. Students and staff can also email, phone or visit the Ally Network Convenor.

If you’re feeling sceptical, just remember these people are here to help.

“[Allies] understand the level of fear and stigma associated with disclosing sexual orientation or gender identity and therefore act without judgement and respect individuals’ confidentiality at all times.”

ALLIES can be recognised by the rainbow ALLY logo on their lanyard that carries their staff ID card, or by an ALLY certificate/sticker on their office door or by checking the list FIND AN ALLY.

How you can help

If you’re interested in helping your fellow students, why not sign up to be an Ally? By doing so, you’d be playing your part to make a more diverse and enjoyable university experience.

To become an Ally, you must:

  • Attend an ALLY training session.
  • Be a role model for the University through your behaviour and language.
  • Recognise traditional sexuality privileges and be reflective.
  • Work within and support existing policies around discrimination and equal opportunity.
  • Increase the visibility of the ALLY Network in a proactive manner.
  • Allow your name to be included on the ALLYpage as well as being provided to staff and students.
  • Be able to be contacted at UON as well as provide support for peers in a ‘safe zone’.
  • Understand the various UON support services.
  • Be open and respond respectfully to questions from and about LGBTIQA+ students and staff and maintain confidentiality.
  • Keep up to date and informed about current LGBTIQA+ related issues, learnings, resources and information.

As Astrid explains, “Building the ALLY Network across UON, helps to raise awareness about matters for LGBTIQA+ Communities and that by challenging homophobia, transphobia and heterosexism  makes UON a more inclusive place for all”.

For more info, visit:

https://www.newcastle.edu.au/ally

*The acronym LGBTIQA+ stands for: L – lesbian;G – gay;B – bisexual;T – trans;I – intersex;Q – queer, questioning A – asexual, agender, aromantic; + – other diverse sexual orientations and gender identites.

There are four different issues which are included in LGBTIQA+ spectrum: Sexual attraction; Gender identity; Gender expression; Sex characteristics

Unexpected places your degree can take you

January 23, 2018

When you choose to study at UON, there are usually three reasons for doing so:

  • You enjoy the course content
  • You’re aiming for a specific career path
  • You’re here for the ride

In every degree, there’s often a traditional career pathway with an emphasis on specific jobs depending on your major or directed courses. While it can be easy to start thinking ‘I’m not going to get my dream job’, this could actually be a good thing. Your dream job may not even exist yet, so remember not to limit yourself. We spoke with a couple of UON graduates on how they’ve found themselves in careers which diverge from the expected path.

Entrepreneur Alert!

You might be thinking, ‘I don’t want to work in an existing organisation’ or ‘I’d like to be my own boss!’. If that’s you, STAR4000 is the course you’ve been looking for. It is a uniquely structured course developed in collaboration with accelerator company Slingshot, focusing on entrepreneurship and you guessed it – innovation!

While ‘innovation’ seems to be one of those buzz words pushed onto us by politicians, it is actually incredibly important for your future career.

According to Manager of Entrepreneurship and I2N at UON, Micky Pinkerton, “65 per cent of today’s students will be employed in jobs that doesn’t exist yet”.

“Those statistics can be a bit scary to someone trying to decide what to do at uni, but students can prepare for this by developing their enterprise skills in addition to the technical skills they learn in whichever degree they’re doing,” she said.

Skills such as design thinking, critical thinking and problem solving are becoming increasingly valued by traditional graduate employers, who are realising that they need to embed innovation within their culture and develop their ‘intrapreneurs’ to keep their business relevant in the future.

Bachelor of Business graduate, Ella, decided to enrol in STAR4000 as previously there hadn’t been anything like it.

“STAR4000 was particularly helpful in the beginning with the business planning side of things. The Lean Canvas was the main tool I used to nut out my perfect customer and discover the key objectives behind the business,” she said.

Fully implementing the skills she learnt as part of this course, Ella has now done away with the 9-5 grind, running her own start-up business ‘The Muffin Mob’.

“We found our niche market of vegan products and also discovered the rapid increase in demand for these kinds of products. Now we work a few hours baking in the morning, we then deliver the muffins and are finished work for the day around 8am! We then have the rest of the day to learn new skills or work on other projects which interest us.”

Communications Consultant for the UN

While Arts based degrees are sometimes (unjustifiably) criticised for being too generalist in nature, this can actually work to your advantage when looking for a job. Nick Turner who graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts, studying a double major in Film, Media and Cultural Studies and English and Writing, is now working for the United Nations Development Fund (UNDF) in Papua New Guinea.

That’s right – the UN!!!

Nick commented that he, “initially began a Bachelor of Commerce when I first started university, but was finding that it wasn’t really for me. After a stint working overseas I came home with the mindset of looking to do a degree with a bit of variety, and the Bachelor of Arts was what offered that.”

“I had never really known what I wanted to do, and in many ways I still don’t know what it is I want to do. I have always had an interest in working in development, so I’m lucky to be working with the United Nations. But I certainly had no clear career objectives when starting out my degree.”

As part of his role as a Communications Consultant, Nick presents human interest stories as well as creates video content to showcase the UNDF PNG’s work across web and social media platforms.

Nick’s number one piece of career advice is not to be afraid of moving to get a start in your chosen field.

“Newcastle is such a fantastic city, and in many ways it’s an incredibly difficult place to leave. But you need to look at as many opportunities as you can, in as many different places as they may appear both in Australia and overseas,” he said.

So who said an Arts degree can’t get you a job?

An Academic

For those of you studying degrees in the Faculty of Business and Law, you might be influenced by the idea that jobs are usually within a commercial environment. But there are numerous other pathways your degree can take you.

Briony Johnston studied a combined Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of Laws with a Diploma of Legal Practice, and is studying her Master of Laws before pursuing a PHD. She is now working as an academic here at UON.

This success came about for Briony due to her interest in Law towards the end of high school. She was motivated by the way a law degree enabled “you to help others and interact with people from all walks of life.”

Briony was lucky enough to work in a law firm while completing her degree, as well as gaining “experience as a PASS Leader and Research Assistant while I was studying.” Such experiences led her down the path of academia, where she is able to help students on a daily basis.

For those interested in pursuing a career in Law, Briony recommends not making the mistake of “thinking a Law degree only leads you down one path.”

“There are so many jobs that you can pursue, whether in private practice, in-house counsel, community legal centres, government positions, research roles, teaching, or advisory postings. Your options really are endless, you just need to find the one that suits you best!”

So if you don’t know what you want to do with your degree, that’s ok. Challenge yourself and stick to your passions! Also, if you have a dream job in mind, branch out and take the initiative. You might just end up getting your dream job by being in the right place at the right time. For further information on some jobs your degree can lead you towards, visit UON Degrees to Careers.

 

For more Information:

STAR4000 – Innovation, Startups and Entrepreneurship

Some Career Path for Law Degrees

Looking to change the world? Consider a career in aid and development

How to get help when you feel like you’re in too deep

November 6, 2017

It may be tempting to dismiss your hardship as another problem that isn’t important, but it’s vital that you speak up because people can only help you if they actually know what’s going on. Luckily, UON has a bunch of services targeted at helping you overcome your challenges and find success.

Speak with a Student Advisor

Student Advisors are here to help you get through your studies and make the most of your time at university. They can help you access a range of free support services, as well as navigate the policies and procedures of UON.

Laura Hudson, a Senior Student Advisor, explains that they are able to work with you to create an individualised success plan. This plan focuses on your potential to succeed, and can include referrals for further support so you can achieve the grades you want.

“We understand that life continues while you’re studying and we can discuss how to keep a healthy work, study, and life balance. If you’re studying on a student visa we can help you understand your rights and responsibilities as an international student here at UON,” she says.

“If you’re not feeling like you’re achieving what you want to, I would suggest you create a Progress to Success Plan to help you get back on track. Make an appointment to meet with a Student Advisor and we will sit down with you to discuss everything that is going on and help you take the first steps to succeeding.”

You can get in touch with a Student Advisor by dropping in to a Student Central location or by making an appointment. If you’re not on campus you can call the AskUON Enquiry Centre on 4921 5000 and arrange an appointment, or you can email studentadvice@newcastle.edu.au.

Catch-up with a Counsellor     

We spoke with Clinical Psychologist/Student Counsellor Dr. Emma Kerr, whose role involves working with students to help them resolve different challenges they may be facing.

“Some challenges might include academic problems such as anxiety, procrastination or perfectionism, problems with low mood, sleep difficulties, wanting to reduce drug or alcohol use, or relationship or family difficulties,” she said. “Alternatively, some students seek counselling to enhance their skills, relationships or wellbeing.”

All counsellors at UON are qualified as either a psychologist, clinical psychologist or social worker, so you know you’re in good hands.

Dr Kerr says the most important thing to remember when you’re struggling is that you’re not alone.

“Being a student is not always the cruisy ride often portrayed in the media or other student’s social media. Students are often juggling multiple challenges such as working to support themselves, high rent prices, maintaining some form of social life, navigating share house dynamics, pressure from themselves or others to perform well academically, maintaining or finding an intimate relationship, and possibly being away from family.”

Counselling is offered via face-to-face sessions at Callaghan, NeWSpace and Ourimbah, and online (via Skype, phone, or Blackboard). Evidence-based online treatment programs for mood and substance abuse is also available.

To book an appointment for a face-to-face session, phone 4921 6622. Appointments are usually booked on the day, so it’s best to call as close to 9am as possible.

For online counselling or the online treatment program for mood and substance use you can speak to a Student Support Advisor or email onlinecounselling@newcastle.edu.au.

Apply for Adverse Circumstances

Sometimes life unexpectedly throws something our way and we have to put uni on the backburner. This is where adverse circumstances kicks in. You can apply for adverse circumstances if you have:

  • Unavoidable commitments (eg religious commitments)
  • A serious injury or death of a close friend or family member
  • Hardship, including sudden employment, family breakdown, or a severe disruption to your living arrangements
  • Trauma, not limited to the impact of crime or accident and natural disasters
  • Health grounds, including physical illness and psychological issues

You will require some supporting documentation. You can upload these documents when you are submitting your application, or within 3 business days of submitting your application. Once your application is processed, you will receive an email to your student email account with the outcome of your application. You can log into the adverse circumstances system in myUON.

Just Ask

You don’t have to suffer in silence. Sometimes just telling someone can be a massive burden off your shoulder.

“When things are tough it can be tempting to bury yourself in a bucket of ice cream or do the doona dive and hide from the world, however when you emerge from this cocoon the problem is likely to still remain,” says Dr Kerr.

She recommends staying actively engaged with the University, and attending events designed to help you stay on track, such as Stress Less activities.

Most importantly, remember to be kind to yourself. Even if you feel like you’re not achieving the goals you want, self-criticism won’t get you anywhere.

According to Dr Kerr, “Self-compassion is like a muscle that strengthens with practice – so be patient with yourself and keep practicing.”

 

5 questions with Gina Gilmour

October 16, 2017

All UON students have their own unique story to tell. Here at Navigator we want to share with you a few of those stories.

We spoke with Bachelor of Construction Management Student, Gina Gilmour, on what led her to studying at UON and her experience studying a traditionally male-dominated program.

NAVIGATOR: When you were younger did you ever picture yourself studying Construction Management?

GG: I’ve always been interested in the what, why and how of both the built and natural environment. As a kid, I always wanted Dad to take me along to the hardware store. I’d nail a few bits of wood together but I’d get bored. I was probably better at finding things for him to do. I’m not sure he listened.

When I was first at uni I went out with a guy who was studying civil engineering and could listen to him talk about roads and bridges all day. Then a chemical engineer –  just as enthralling. Then I ended up marrying a brickie. And there was always Dad building something or other at Mum’s behest! I always wished I had the talent for these things and I got to a point (took me a while) where I realised there were genuine opportunities for women in the industry. I wouldn’t have been keen to be the only female, but one of several seemed real and achievable. I wanted to challenge myself, and I wanted to learn the what, the why and the how.

NAVIGATOR: What was your life like before UON?

I [originally] started university straight from high school and chose a Bachelor of Arts, planning to major in German. There was a bit of talk then that we could finish our degrees and get jobs as translators at the Sydney Olympics; sorry, am I making you feel young?

I left midway through my second semester to travel and mostly just to move. I moved with my best mate to the Whitsundays and worked on an island resort for four months, then I followed a boy to Sydney, where I worked at a finance company for nearly three years. I moved back to Newcastle to save money, and I worked a few jobs to save every penny so I could spend a year in Canada.

After travel I planned more travel, but instead did the family thing, having babies (a few years earlier than intended), a country pub (okay not much of a family thing) and finally resettled in Newcastle in 2012. By the time my youngest child had started Kindergarten I was itching to do something for myself. Being a mum and self-employed for 10 plus years leaves a bit of a gap in your resume.

NAVIGATOR: How did it feel when you first started studying a Bachelor of Construction Management?

The decision to start back at uni was pretty scary – I didn’t know if I could do it, how I would find the time whilst still supporting the family, how I would be supported at home. My son has a disability and I missed a few weeks in first semester while he was in hospital, and I allow four or more hours a week for his therapies and appointments. Usually it’s just life as we know it, sometimes things get a little more stressful. A friend of mine had started back at UON a year earlier whilst still working and juggling kids and family life; he helped give me the confidence boost I needed. It wasn’t as scary a leap as I’d thought, although I get pretty bloody anxious when I have an assignment due, and I’m often wavering between complete confidence and irrational fear of not doing something right!

I really love doing something for me, but it’s also something that will benefit my whole family (eventually!), so I can feel less guilty for spending time on myself. This is a guilt thing pretty common to parenthood.

NAVIGATOR: Do you feel supported while you study?

My family are a massive support. Mum or Dad will get the kids organised and off to school so I can attend morning lectures, and they are invaluable for school pickup when I’m working. I work about 30 hours a week and have four kids so there’s a bit of juggling to do, though nothing every other parent isn’t faced with. My eldest is in Year 8 and I like to joke with her that she and I can graduate from UON together. Now we just need to rope my Mum into it. Three generations graduating in the same year from the same university? Surely that’s front page of the Herald material!

NAVIGATOR: What is it like studying a degree that is traditionally male dominated?

It’s a little bit lonely being one of few females, and I’m probably old enough to be Mum to most but there were some excellent get-togethers at the start of the year to support women in the faculty, and I think this is essential to showing the kind of support we have. If I put my hand up I’m sure there’d be someone to help. I chose a mentor this year and she has been great too. I’m content knowing I’m finally studying what I want to study. I don’t really know any other females in my course – I only started back this year and only part-time. At O Day I was walking across the bridge from architecture to the Language Centre (where I spent some time back when it was a new building), and overheard two guys in front of me talking. I heard the words “15 years ago” and rudely interrupted, “You were here 15 years ago?”, “Haha, yes!”, “Excellent, I was here 20 years ago!” Thanks goodness for those boys, they may not know it but they’ve been my UON rocks ever since.

For women heading into a male-dominated industry – what industry wasn’t, at some stage, dominated by men? I was chatting to my cousin yesterday, he’s a firefighter, and we talked about the latest intake for jobs in his field. They had to take 50% women. Because if they don’t make a massive change to culture in the system, nothing will change. How many women were joining the police force 40 years ago? I had to do a white-card course (WHS for construction) at the start of the year, and there were, predictably, quite a few boring bits. After one too many indirectly sexist comments, I started a tally. The trainer wasn’t trying to offend. He was just talking about the industry, and relating it back to the males in the room, as men in the industry were his point of reference.  It made me feel a little tired; there’s a long way to go. But we’ll get there.

What to do if your degree isn’t right for you

September 5, 2017

You might have had a change of heart career-wise, or you might not have known what you wanted to do with your life and just jumped the gun. When six assignments are all due at once and you’ve got family and work commitments (and probably a million other tasks), it’s natural for the negative thoughts to start creeping in. You’re not the only one who contemplates a change. We talked to Laura Hudson, a UON Senior Student Advisor on what steps you should take if you’re thinking of changing degrees.

Stick to your passions

It can be easy to forget why you are doing your degree, especially in difficult times. Laura recommends “students…consider if they are going to enjoy the degree and make a note of what they want to study for, whether it’s a career pathway or for interest in a particular area.” If you choose something you really enjoy it makes it a lot easier to stay motivated during the hard study slogs.

Handbook alert!!!

It’s easy to jump straight into a degree without taking into consideration the subjects you are undertaking. When choosing your degree, it’s important to not just take into consideration the course content of the subjects but the course outcomes. It can be easy to skim through the handbook, but you’ll probably do so at your peril. For example, a Bachelor of Psychology has a lot more statistics courses than you might have expected. As a result, when looking through the handbook it’s important to consider your strengths and passions.

Discover career pathways

The Careers Team at UON has some cool advice for those who are contemplating a degree change. If you want to get a more accurate picture of the different career pathways your degree could take, make sure to book an appointment.

Laura says it is important to determine, “what careers you might be interested in and find out what qualifications you might need,” as well as learning “about the employment prospects, salaries and working hours to make sure the career you choose will suit the lifestyle you want.”

Job Outlook is a nifty tool by the Australian government to help you out with determining such prospects and average salaries. Finally, Laura recommends that you “seek out people who work in the occupations and industries you are interested in and talk to friends, your careers adviser or our staff at careers markets and events.”

Consult with someone

Before you make the degree change, it’s important to talk to someone about it. There are numerous people you can talk to about your degree, whether you are struggling with the program or need some advice on the best route to complete your future degree. If you are struggling with your course, you can talk to your program convenor before making any future decisions. The program convenor consults on academic matters, including career advice and course recommendations that will reflect your interests. Also, if you are changing your degree, it is best to talk to the relevant program advisor as to inform you of how to complete the new degree in the allotted timeframe. The relevant program advisor and convenor for you can be found here.

How to transfer

You’ve decided to take the plunge and transfer to another degree. Whilst not always the case, if you have room for electives or you’ve already completed some courses, you can apply for a credit transfer here. In doing so, it’s super important to look at the program handbook and change your enrolment.  Laura notes that “students should be aware of key dates of each term, like Census Date,” when changing enrolments or degree. To officially change your degree, visit here. You’ll have to wait till towards the end of the semester before transfers can be made and will usually require a credit average with some exceptions.

Dropping out isn’t the solution

On a final note, if for some reason you are struggling with university, and considering dropping out, Laura recommends talking to the Student Advice team or having a chat to someone. She notes that sometimes dropping out can feel like your “only option when there may be assistance” for your needs. Student Advice can help you with your issues by breaking “each item down to find a way to continue on, or, we can go through options and implications for taking leave from studies.” Such options to help support you with your studies include:

  • Counselling, financial assistance and addressing learning challenges for those suffering from mental health or other related issues.
  • Academic skills which you may develop by contacting your course coordinators, the Learning Development Team, PASS and even the Library.
  • Social participation including UON clubs & societies, volunteers, first year mentors, NUSA or NUPSA.

For more information, visit:

Why you should give PASS a go

Changing UoN Enrolment Details

How to start a club or society

Ooh friend: Our back to basics guide on making friends at uni

Why you should give PASS a go

August 22, 2017

Have you ever felt like you’re struggling to understand your course content? Like you need someone to break it down into your language?

Don’t worry, you’re not the only one. This is where PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) is able to help.

What is PASS?

PASS Program Coordinator Karen Cutts, says PASS is a “regularly scheduled, super-charged study session” led by a student who has recently completed the same course and received at least a Distinction. So basically, you’ll be getting the nitty gritty from someone who’s been in exactly your situation and come through the other side, successfully.

PASS gives you the opportunity to discuss difficult-to-grasp concepts with other students, compare notes and complete practice exam questions.

For some people, PASS can mean the difference between failing and passing a course. For others, it’s the difference between a Distinction and High Distinction.

Why Attend PASS?

If you’re feeling time-poor, PASS is a great way to learn what you need to know. According to Karen, PASS is “guaranteed study time” in which “One hour of PASS is equal to three hours of individual study”. That covers nearly a third of the recommended weekly study time for a 10 unit course.

Nikola, a PASS leader for Film and Television Studies (FMCS1200), says that PASS has a myriad of benefits. To help you get on top of the course content, PASS helps students “learn about the material directly, [and] strategies for breaking down and absorbing the material” as well as “how to approach assignments”. Not to mention the fact that the skills you learn in PASS for one course can easily be transferred to your other subjects.

Bachelor of Communication student, Lauren Kempe, found PASS really made a difference in her overall understanding of the course and increased her motivation to study.

“The PASS sessions are such a fantastic way to not only ask further questions about your course content and cement any ideas discussed by your lecturer, but also open you up to new perspectives on the course content you may not have otherwise considered, having that real point of difference from other students,” she said.

“It’s such a supportive environment, and the fact that the sessions are run by students who have been in your position and done quite well in the course makes you feel really comfortable in the knowledge that you will not only pass your course, but soar with flying colours.”

Nikola also stressed that it’s been proven that those who attend PASS receive a definite improvement in their marks. This is partly because the learning environment is “very casual” and it feels like you’re “chatting with friends”.

“There’s no such thing as a stupid question [as] someone else is probably thinking it as well,” she said.

Where is PASS?

Who doesn’t like free things? That’s right – PASS is free for you to attend.  If you want to improve your marks and connect with other people in your course, PASS is a must! You needn’t worry with a sign-up sheet – just attend and you’re good to go.

No need to stress if you can’t make it to campus – PASS is also offered online.

Whilst PASS isn’t offered for every course, you can figure out the class, place and time by looking at the web timetable.

 

What are you waiting for? Find out more about how PASS can help you at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/current-students/learning/study-skills/peer-study-assistance.

How to ace an interview with not-so-great grades

July 4, 2017

Have you ever looked at your transcript and felt disheartened? Have you thought that since the job market is super competitive that you won’t get a job? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one! Whilst it may appear grades are the be-all and end-all, this is not the case. As such, here’s some advice to ace the dreaded job search and subsequent interview.

Self-Reflect

We all have a dream job, whether we realise it sooner or later. If for some reason you don’t see yourself fulfilling the requirements of that job, it’s going to be ok. According to UON Careers and Student Development employment consultant, Nicola Evans, self-reflection of your skills – among other factors – is an important aspect of maximising your job search.

If you feel unsuccessful for any reason, don’t be disheartened. As part of maximising the job search, you should at the very least identify the opportunities available that play to your strengths and look for the relevant jobs that are suited to your skillset.

Transcript Alert!!!

While providing an academic transcript may be an important aspect of the job application and the interview stage, don’t fret if you’re grades aren’t what perhaps they could be. Whilst having good grades might get you to that next stage, there are numerous factors employers also look for when applying for a job and undertaking the interview.

According to Nicola, employers want to know if you will perform the work role required. This means having the motivation and evidence that you can be flexible and succeed as well as having a positive attitude.

Another important aspect that employers consider is whether you’d be a valuable member to their organisation. Every workplace has a set of values and employers tend to look for people to fulfil them. By doing a bit of research on the places you’re applying, you can make sure you’re a right fit for the employment environment.

Finally, don’t just stick to studies; broaden your horizon. Employers are looking for those who have the relevant “training, skills and experience,” Nicola notes.

Skills

Everyone has a myriad of skills. Whilst undertaking studies at UON, we are expected to learn six skills. These are critical analysis, teamwork, oral and written communication, problem solving information literacy, and use of technology.

While we could be top-notch at all of these skills, it is best to concentrate on “your top four or five” in preparing for job interviews, according to Nicola.

Therefore, identifying the most relevant skills to a given job “is core to strong job applications and persuasive interview performances”.

Prepare

You might have nailed the job application, but it usually isn’t worth it if you haven’t also prepared for the interview. If you’re one of the lucky bunch to score a job interview it means you’ve convinced the selection committee that you fulfil the requirements for the job, so don’t disappoint!

Preparation is key. While it may be tedious, you should at the very least, research the job and organisation. Investigating “how you can value add to the organisation”, as well as “understanding the interview process”, including, but not limited to: “what type of interview it will be, who will be on the panel and anticipating what types of questions you will be asked” are extremely important, says Nicola. Finally, never forget to ace the basic techniques such as handshakes, eye contact and body language. It can make all the difference!

As mentioned, don’t put too much pressure on yourself if you don’t have the grades you hoped for. Employers are not looking at grades the way they used to. Instead there is an increasing emphasis on experience as well as your value to the organisation. Good luck, and get those resumes flowing!

 

Studying hacks

June 20, 2017

Are you someone who struggles to study during exam time? We’ve all been there at some time or another.

According to Lil, a Learning Advisor for the Centre of Teaching and Learning, there are numerous reasons we don’t study effectively. One reason is that we try to “do too much at once,” in which we tend to procrastinate. Family and friends also tend to interrupt us and our surroundings can also be factors that make us struggle to study.

We’ve compiled some tips for you to make the most of studying in exam time.

Turn off Technology

Technology plays a huge part in our lives – from Facebook, binge-watching Netflix to surfing the web, it can be easy to get side-tracked. It is recommended you not only stop using technology but switch off your phone and temporarily deactivate your social media profile. Lil says that “Vowing not to use it” just doesn’t cut it most of the time.

Plan your day

It’s important to have a plan. Lil notes that switching between tasks makes it difficult to “retain information.” Make sure you have a detailed plan as you are more likely to get everything done. Pointer – don’t plan weeks and months, just stick to a weekly plan. This can be achieved while you are watching TV or doing something else in the night.

When planning, make sure you schedule in everything – including all your breaks. Lil recommends organising “all the notes you need to go through” the night before so you can “get straight to it” in the morning.

Leave the House

Treat your studying like getting ready for work. Lil recommends to leave the house and find a quiet place to study, such as the library. Forcing yourself to go somewhere else to study will keep you away from the usual distractions.

Take a Break

You’re bound to get fatigued from studying all the time. It happens to the best of us. It is recommended you take a break every hour for 10 minutes. It’s a good idea to use the 10 minutes to take a break “from screens and getting fresh air” given you’re most likely studying on the computer.

Eat Healthy

Whilst it might appear old-school, Lil advises to have healthy “meals prepped in advance” and ready to heat. This means when you finish work and you decide to study, you “don’t have to fuss with cooking”.  At the same time, it reduces the temptation to nibble on treats that will eventually “make you feel tired”.

Exercise!

We may not all like to exercise, but it’s good for you! Apparently, doing an outdoor activity for an hour can bring you happiness (hello endorphins!) as well as allowing you to “get more study done”.

At the end of the day, you can only study so much. That’s why winding down, whether it’s watching an episode or 2 on Netflix, reading a book or doing something that will help you relax can help you get that sleep you need to function in the morning.

 IMAGE: Jazmin Quaynor

 

How to start a club or society

May 25, 2017

Starting your own club is an incredibly rewarding experience. Aside from sprucing up your resume, you’re also giving back to the UON community and get to make a tonne of friends along the way. But like all good things – it comes with its challenges. Building your club from the ground up can be a huge task. We spoke with Student Engagement Leader, Fiona Mundie, on how to get your club off to a flying start.

  1. Your club must be different

UON is home to more than one hundred clubs. If they aren’t suited to your interests, there’s nothing holding you back from starting your own. But you can’t just start a new version of a club which already exists; it must be something different.

You can find a full list of the clubs and societies here.

  1. Find people who are interested in joining

To start a club you need at least 20 members (only 10 at smaller campuses), and 80% of these members need to be current UON students. Not sure where to find students who are keen on joining? Fiona suggests one of the easiest ways to gauge interest is by discussing it with your friends or the people in your classes at uni.

“It might be people in your tute group, or people you meet with after a study group, or people in your lecture to see if there’s that interest, and if someone else is [willing] to help you.”

  1. Decide who to register with

Depending on the nature of the club you will need to decide whether to register with Student Central or affiliate with a Student Association (NUSA or NUPSA). Sporting clubs must register with NUsport and those at Ourimbah with Yourimbah. For those in Port Macquarie and Sydney, you should check with your Campus Life Assistant. By affiliating with Student Central they can help you set up a booth at O week, promote events and help arrange rooms for meetings. NUSA also allow free room bookings at their building, as well as free use of the BBQ.

Reminder: You need to re-affiliate on an annual basis.

  1. Draft a Constitution

Every UON club or society needs a Constitution. Here is where you set out the rules for membership, the responsibilities of the Executive Committee, and the aims of the club. To make life easy for you, the UON Student Central have provided a draft constitution template you can use.

  1. Form your Executive and arrange an Annual General Meeting (AGM)

So you’ve found enough people you want to join your club – but who is going to help run it? An Executive typically consists of four positions: President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. You’ll need people who are organised, work well in a team and are just as passionate about seeing the club succeed as you are.

“It’s actually a really big task. What you need to do is gather enough people to create a critical mass who can keep it going, because one person can’t do it by themselves,” said Fiona.

To get the club up and running, you’ll have to organise your first Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM is your chance to decide upon a name for the club, agree on the objectives, and most importantly, elect your Executive. (Sorry – there are no dictatorships at UON).

A good way to boost attendance for your AGM is by providing catering. What uni student has ever said no to free pizza?

Remember to take minutes of the meeting so you can keep track of everything that was decided.

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SOURCE: Giphy/HBO

  1. Reap leadership benefits by completing Generation Governance

Running a club comes with a number of responsibilities, like keeping the finances in order and running events, which are highly valued by employers. Fiona says being on the Executive of a club shows that you “have the teamwork, negotiation and communication skills to succeed in the workforce.”

It doesn’t matter if you don’t have any prior experience – that’s what Generation Governance is for. It is a UON-led online learning initiative to help make the most of running a club by showing you how to take minutes and host an AGM. Even better, once completed, you’ll even get a nifty certificate to add to your portfolio.

“It’s a trite thing to say it looks good on your resume, but it does… distinguish you from all the other people who are graduating in the same year, who have the same degree and who may have received the same marks as you,” she said.

  1. Open a Bank Account

You will need to set up a bank account with multiple members as signatories, and one of these must be the Treasurer. If you need help financing your club or society, UON has a number of grants and subsidies to assist. The guidelines and allocation of funds for Student Central club funding can be found here. If you need help planning a budget, the Student Engagement Team can help you out.

  1. Plan Activities and Events

Now for the fun part!

Throughout the year you’ll get to organise events and activities for your club. If you ever feel lost, make sure to check the online resources designed to make it easier for you.

 

For more information on starting a club or society, visit https://www.newcastle.edu.au/current-students/campus-environment/campus-life/clubs-and-societies/start-a-club