Vodcast 2 – Getting Started
Jen: Okay, so you're enrolled at Monash. Now here’s the hard
bit – actually getting your degree.
Hilary: To get there you're going to need to do around
twelve hours o f study a week for every six credit
point unit.
Hilary (voiceover): For on-campus students this includes
three to four hours contact time with lectures and tutorials
for each unit. Off-campus students need to do about the same in
set readings or tasks and everyone should do about eight or
nine hours of private study each week.
Jen: So if you're doing four units, that's ... a full time job!
Hilary: Exactly. But the six Ps can really help.
Jen: The six Ps?
Hilary: Proper Preparation Prevents Pretty Poor Performance. And
the first step to being r ea ll y prepared is to print off one
of these for each of your units.
Hilary (voiceover): This is a unit guide telling you what
will be covered in lectures and tutorials, what you have to
do to pass the unit, course requirements and policies.
Jen: Most units make guides available a week or so before
semester starts, sometimes at the first tutorial. There's also
a lot of information on the Unit Pages section in Moodle.
Hilary: Noodle, like Noodles as in lunch?
Jen: No. Moodle. Modular Object Orientated D ynamic Learning
Environment.
On screen: moodle
Hilary: Ohhh, sorrrrreeee…
Jen (voiceover): Every unit has an online presence and Moodle
is a space for discussions, forums, submitting assignments,
grading, receiving and posting news and announcements and heaps
of other stuff.
Hilary: That sounds great. S o h ow do I get onto it?
Jen: Through your My Monash portal. In fact, when it comes to
getting ready for uni your portal pretty much has it all.
Jen (voiceover): For example, the portal can take the hassle out
of getting your books together by giving you an online book
list for each unit. With every item linked to the Monash
University Bookshop and its online purchasing facility, you
c a n just tick what you want, give them a credit card number
and it's a done deal.
Jen: How easy is that? Thanks.
Bookshop staff member: You’re welcome.
Jen: To activate this service, just contact the Bookshop.
Hilary: For on-campus students, you’re my m o n a s h portal helps
keep you organized by displaying a two-day summary of your
timetable on your homepage.
Hilary (voiceover): And if you go to the "Study and
Administration tab" you'll find your timetable for the current
week and the week ahead.
Hilary: Of course, you off-campus students have to work out
your own timetable around your other responsibilities.
Jen: Hey!
Hilary: Hey.
Jen: So have you mentioned faculties yet?
Hilary: Actually, no. Why don't you?
Jen: No. You go on.
Hilary: Oy!
Jen: I'm starving!
Hilary: Anyway… basically it’s really good to get to know your
faculty.
Hilary (voiceover): They've all got their own websites which
contain information about courses, student services and who to
go to if you've got problems - and a lot more.
Jen: Getting prepared to study is a lot more than knowing your
way around your unit requirements and getting books and
stationary together. It's also about organising your life to
cope with the demands of student life.
Hilary (voiceover): You need to be happy that you'll be able to
cope with all the other demands on your time - family, work,
social commitments and all the rest.
Jen: Some people cruise through uni and that's great, but if
you do need help or support, it's there for you.
Jen (voiceover): Monash has a range of support services
including counselling, self-help resources, residential
services, disability support, services for indigenous students
and much more. All of these services are available on each
campus and for off-campus students too.
Hilary: To you like chess? Music? What about d rama? D r a m a ?
War gaming?
Jen: No.
Hilary: Dancing?
Jen: Well, not like that.
Hilary: Well, some people do.
Hilary (voiceover): Joining one of more of the many clubs,
societies and associations on all our campuses is a great way
to get settled in and meet like-minded people. There's something
for everyone and you can check out what's available on the
website.
Hilary: And off-campus students, you don't get left out either.
You can get involved via student associations, social media,
discussion groups or by coming to campus activities if they're
not too far away.
Jen: Thought I’d take up tennis.
Hilary: I can see that.
Jen: And I have the most essential skill down pat.
Hilary: And what skill might that be?
Jen (grunting): Ha uh, ha ya, ha, haaah, ha ya…