Starting university

You already have some well-developed skills which got you here, but you’ll notice that university learning is different from secondary school, TAFE or other places of learning

At university, you are surrounded by a culture of enquiry. This derives from British and North American (“Anglo-western”) academic traditions. Students from overseas may notice differences from their home traditions, but local students will also encounter differences. Also, within the university, each discipline has its own version of academic ways of enquiry and writing.

By persevering you will develop some strong skills and deeper understandings.

Spending time on these pages will help you make the transition.

You may be returning to study after a significant time away, and you may be feeling concerned about how you will fit in and whether you can be successful.

This is normal, so don’t worry, you’ll soon find your feet. In fact, people returning to study are often among the most successful at university because of their greater life experience.

At the same time, it is important to look for the support you need: brushing up computer skills, how to approach assignment tasks, getting organised, dealing with home and study pressures, .... There is  support available, but you need to be pro-active. These pages are designed to offer support, and links to people who can help, for when you need it.

 Hear a La Trobe student talk about the transition

• Using the library and researching: The library has a lot more than just books on shelves.  Libguides and LibSkills will help you learn how to find information for assignments. If you have further questions look at the Library website and you can try the Student Learning Advisors in the Library, the Research Help Desk or the LibChat service where you can chat to a librarian online.

• Using the online Learning Management System (LMS): The Learning Management System webpage shows you how to log into and use the LMS.
• Managing study time: With other commitments (e.g. family, paid employment), it can be difficult for people returning to study. The obvious advice here is to stay organised. Look at Using your study time effectively. The Library’s assignment calculator will help you stay on track with your assignments. Write weekly “to do” lists to organise your study time. There is a video clip on how much study time you need to allow.
• Keeping up with the reading: The reading required at university can be complex, with a lot of new terms which may be difficult to understand. You might feel overwhelmed by the amount of reading you have to do each week. Our Reading and Note Taking website has useful strategies so you stay on top of your reading.
• Numeracy skills: Your maths skills might need brushing up for some subjects. We have some online resources to help you.
• Writing assignments: Your Faculty "First Year Survival Guide" has useful and easy to follow guidelines about how to write different types of university assignments. Our Writing website also gives useful information.
• Plagiarism: "Plagiarism" is a word you hear at universities. It means that you have copied the work of someone else without properly acknowledging or referencing it.  The Academic Integrity site has further explanations.   If you are a new student you must do the Academic Integrity Module.  It will make all this much clearer.