Some Uni Questions

[peteriscool]

Hi guys, I'm kinda new to uni and just have a few questions (I'm starting a Commerce degree at Deakin):

1) In regards to 1st year, I have no choice in what I study right? It is only after 1st year I get to specifically choose what I want to major in etc, right?

2) What is the difference between a tute and lecture, I'm rather confused - do you find out this stuff on O Week?

3) How do you find out what books you need to buy - and also, I've heard you don't need to buy every single book, so how do I know which books to buy or not?

4) I heard uni isn't like school, you don't need to attend anything (although not recommended), so essentially if I learn all the course at home myself does that mean that all I need to do is attend the exam(s)?

5) And last, what should I be bringing with me? I have a backpack, pen and some notepads, is that all that's required?

Thanks in advance!

[kendraaaaa]

I'm no expert but I'll give it a shot.

1) This depends on the course and the institution. As an example, for my Arts degree I have no compulsory units. So I get to choose 4 units (read: subjects) for each semester to complete. Then in second year you chose your major/minor. However courses such as Engineering have compulsory units in first year. You're best to have a look around your Uni's website.

2) A lecture is what you would have seen in the media, it's a giant room seating about 200 people with one lecturer. There is no participation you just sit and listen. Tutes are there to complement the lectures, these resemble high-school classes. A tute is held in a small room with about 20-30 kids, and you get to ask questions and what not.

3) You'll have to ask someone who goes to Deakin. For me at Monash, my booklist is available to me over the net.

4) The only thing that's optional at Uni is lectures. Because these can be downloaded in video/audio form. However Tutes/Pracs/Labs are all compulsory and vital. However most people advise to attend everything, as your lecturers will blaze through the coursework so you'll need all  the help you can get.

5) Haven't been to Uni yet so I'm not too sure!

[*ryan777*]

4) if your a total freak and dont any help you could just show up to the tutes where u get ur assignments etc (just b aware some unis have attendance as part of ur overall mark)
5) depends what course your doing, if your doing comm or arts then yeah, what u listed is basically it i think

[Glockmeister]

1)

Look at your course for specifics.

4)

It depends on your subject. All subject have 'lectures' and they are never compulsory. But some subjects have 'tutorials' or 'labs' and for some subjects, this is compulsory because it becomes part of your assessment for your subject. Even if it is not, I'd advise you NEVER to miss any such sessions. They're probably the only time you'll be able to talk to other people face-to-face about questions you may have.

That said, for the first few weeks, I'd advise any first year subject NOT to miss any lectures.

5) Yeah pretty much... you'll might have textbooks, but I tend to leave them at whole. You'll find that for some subjects, you may get backache just carrying them around all the time.

[nicholasanthony]

1. That is right

3.http://www.dusabookshop.com.au/booklist Get the study guides and the books that it says you must get.

4. You'll need to attend your micro tutes, was worth 5% for me. Otherwise no its not a must. You'll find the subjects you find difficult you will want to attend tutes and lectures for and you'll also find there will be some that you can afford to miss here and there.

[Eriny]

You should probably maximise the amount of time you're on-campus, at least for the first few weeks for social contact and to gauge whether you need to turn up for certain classes.

Wait to buy your books until after the first lecture if you're unsure of what you have to buy and what you don't have to buy. This will be fine.

[peteriscool]

Thanks heaps guys!

On that above link that Nicholas posted it has all the books I need (just need to enter in the subject code).

I might wait until say week 1-2 before I buy the books so I know exactly what I need.