What to expect at Australian universities
Going to university is an important event in your education experience. The way teachers and students behave and the study expectations are different from high school, different from language centres and different from universities in other countries. It will be helpful for you to know something about university life in Australia and what sort of support you can get at La Trobe.
La Trobe is a university with over 22,000 students and most of them will seem to be at Bundoora in the first few weeks of semester. At this time it is hard to find a car park and it is easy to get lost. Always carry a map and ask for directions – but don’t be surprised if nobody knows exactly where your tutorial is.
Staff and student behaviour
Lecturers and tutors can be busy people. Teaching is often only one part of their workload; they also do research and administration, and some tutors are part time. Despite this, lecturers are pleased when a student is interested in their subject. If you want to ask a question or discuss any points you can raise these in tutorials or you ask for an appointment in person or by telephone or email.
If you come from a culture where teachers are given a lot of respect you could feel uncomfortable in some lectures and tutorials. It is usual for students at La Trobe to address lecturers by their first name. Sometimes very senior lecturers are called ‘professor’, but this is not common. Lecturers encourage students to argue with them about academic points. (Don’t misunderstand this – lecturers do not like being told they are wrong!). Contributing to discussions in tutorials and seminars is seen as evidence of your interest in the subject.
Preparing yourself
For most subjects, you will be given subject outlines, reading lists and task sheets. It is helpful to use a planner to make a personal study timetable and reading the subject guidelines. Do some reading before lectures and make time at the end of each day to think about what you have learnt.
Take time to find your way around the campus. Take a library tour and learn how the system works. The university homepage will direct you to the library; your Faculty, Schools and the services that La Trobe offers. There are computers for student use in the Student Study Hall.
If you need assistance with your studies, the Language and Academic Skills (English as a second language) advisers will work with you to develop your study skills and language.
For further information
Tel: (+61 3) 9479 2788
Email: lasesl@latrobe.edu.au.
Visit: The Language and Academic Skills (LAS) unit in your faculty.
Your learning style
Not everybody learns the same way. The following websites have information about learning styles and preferences. They also have tests to determine what sort of learner you are. These tests are not very long or difficult, and they are a fun way to learn more about yourself.
- At Felder's Index of Learning Styles you will find 44 simple questions to answer. Your answers will be analysed online to give you a profile.
- The Keirsey Temperament Sorter, while it sells products, also gives a free 36 point personality test. You can do this in a number of languages.
- After you do the Keirsey Temperament Sorter Test you can go the Connecting Personality Types With Careers and Jobs website. This site links certain personality codes to appropriate jobs.
- A number of personality tests are available at PsychTests.com.
