University Preparation

University Terminology

Semester - a university year is made up of 2 semesters (3 including summer school) which range from 10-13 weeks. Think of it as 2 school terms.
Paper - a university "paper" is the same as a "subject" at school. A degree is made up of many completed papers.
Lecture - a lecture is where most of your teaching will occur. They take place in lecture halls where a large number of students (up to 600 at UoA!) listen to a lecturer.
Tutorial - these are smaller lectures where you get a chance to engage, ask questions, and get help with assignments. These are a crucial part of your learning experience at university.
Stage - you will occasionally hear people talk about stage 1, 2, and 3 papers. This is simply classifying their difficulty similar to NCEA level 1, 2, and 3.

Tips and Biggest Learnings from Students

Time management - learn it. Treat uni as a 9-5 job. If you don't, things will quickly get overwhelming.
Motivation - be sure to take courses you're interested in so you can stay motivated throughout studies.
Referencing - this is a skill you will have to use a lot so learn it well.
Get used to reading - there will be a lot of reading at uni, learn to embrace it and read effectively.
Get involved - join clubs, meet new people, and get stuck in. University can be a big but lonely place.
Take care of yourself - uni is a big change from school. You have a lot more independence but also distractions. Enjoy university but remember why you're there and take care of yourself both mentally and physically.

12 Tips for the Transition to Uni.

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