This blog comes a little late this time – I've been considerably bogged down with numerous assignments, assessments, not to mention a veritable host of personal issues that have absorbed a great deal of my time and enthusiasm. Nevertheless, I'm back with another blog that will, with any luck, give you just that little bit extra background before you choose to come to our University.
It rained considerably today. I've never been particularly bothered by the rain, and I feel it comes as a rather pleasant interlude to the hot days we've had, as well as the ones that are still to come as we move into yet another Australian summer. Truth to tell, I don't think that I've actually used an umbrella for at least 3 years or so- I just see little point. Personally, I find that there is a much higher risk posed by the use of umbrellas than not- forget catching a cold in the 5 minutes you spend outside, worry more about the spiky-umbrella-frame-wire-bits that rush past right at eye level as people hurry through the wet weather. I'd rather have pneumonia than be skewered in the eye – thank you very much!
Of course, one thing the rain can do is encourage indoor exploration. The libraries are scarcely more popular anytime other than when it rains, being pleasantly air conditioned and dry. The new SciTech library has only recently been completed (since the beginning of second semester) and has already a considerable, seeming permanent population of 'people who like to study'. Freaks. As its name suggests, it supports the Science and Technology faculties (I.e. Science, Engineering, Architecture, etc.). Not only does it house a ridiculous amount books, it also boasts an enormous bank of computers scattered around the entire library. I'm not talking fifty. I'm talking hundreds.
To tell the truth, coming from an all boy's highschool where the primary purpose of library computers appeared to be for playing DOTA, Counter Strike, Quake, and various other LAN video games, it's at times quite amazing to see people using their resources to study, rather than 'wtfpwn some of them noobs'. Of course, the rules on the computers are quite tight, as little else than Office programs and Internet Browsers are available (even right click is disabled). You get a bit more freedom in other computer labs that are around however- depending on how much you need to do; as such Engineering and IT computers seem to have considerably less restrictions on them.
In case you didn't know already, the uni has a pretty smart set up for internet access. Students are limited to a set amount of downloads per day, which, if unused, stacks up to a maximum of a weeks worth of downloads (about 42mb). It turns out that a few years ago the uni had a massive leeching problem, where everyone with a laptop was able to download unlimited amounts off the wireless system. Upon catching on (most likely from the huge bill) the university password protected everything, and set up a system where one had to buy data blocks if you wanted more. So far, I haven't needed to- browsing and emails hardly takes up much in the way of downloads anyway.
ANYWAY- this disreputable discourse is starting to get off track, ever so slightly. Only now do I question whether there was a track to begin with. Let's recap. Rain, libaries, computers, internet exploitation.
Yep, thats good. What makes sense to follow next? Pre-enrollment sounds good.
Before your first year, you'll most likely get a letter sometime in the summer holidays saying something along the lines of 'Great! You got in! Come to enrolment!' You'll come to a great big hall and be given several million sheets of paper and be asked to make subject selections based on what's written there. If you're like me, and was on holiday at the time, you can send someone else to fill it in for you (Enrolment via proxy). That's ok if you're doing an engineering degree where you get very little choice in what individual subjects you want to do- it gets a little harder if you're looking at Arts and have lots and lots and lots of things to choose from. I.e. Try not to be elsewhere, or make your choices in advance.
Enter pre-enrolment, the much better, much easier way of enrolling from 2nd year on. Basically, you log onto your Uni account have your handbook open next to you, and type in the course code for the subjects you want to do (you can also do this by mail, filling out a form). Putting down all your preferences early gets you thinking about the direction you're taking much earlier (no last minute decisions, and you can modify your choices if you change your mind) and also helps out the people on the other end who are going to be busy organising your year of education.
Great! Wonderful! Good luck in your HSC if you're doing it! If you're feeling pressured – trust me, Uni is most often much better ;)