Quick update before Week 1 starts : )
Monash Jumpstart
So the Thursday before O-Week started I decided to go to the Monash Jumpstart, which was basically an orientation program for new undergrad students like me. I went with a few friends but we didn’t get assigned to the same group.
I checked in my name and then got assigned a group for the day at around 9:30 am with the main activities starting at around 10 am. Each group had a MASA volunteer leader holding up a sign so you could find your group. It took me forever to find mine somehow but we got there at the end lol. In our groups, we rotated around activities such as building stuff with Lego, ice breakers like keeping the ball off the floor and this wellness activity at the Monash Sport where we did some light stretching and movements.
The group I was in already had pairs of people who knew each other from outside of Monash so it was incredibly hard to try to socialise and meet the members of my groups because they all talked with their other friend. I did manage to make friends with these two girls who were kind enough to let me hang out with them. Funnily enough, we had mutual friends from our high schools respectively from knowing people in primary school. Although my group wasn’t that close I did see my other friends’ groups more close and engaging with each other so maybe my group was just a one-off experience. I left early to catch the 3 pm bus.
Was this day skippable and at times useless? Yes. The activities at times were irrelevant.
I would recommend it if you wanted to meet new students like yourself, especially if you were an international or interstate student. If you already know some people in your course or don’t have the time to attend this event - it’s very skippable. There are more opportunities to meet new people in the future if you make the effort.
O-Week
Last entry I wrote that I was planning to go on Mon and Tues for tours. That didn’t manage to happen haha.
I only went on Monday for this Science Orientation at 10:15 am and went on zero tours lol. We first had a Faculty Welcome from the Dean of Science, teaching staff and MSS for an hour and a half at the Alexander Theatre and then
free time to do a scavenger hunt around the main science buildings or go into the science lounge to play games. I opted to do the scavenger hunt with two of my friends and 4 other people we met living on campus from Sydney. The 7 of us were pretty slow at it because we had no idea where any of the buildings were or really where anything was at all. We had like 9 locations to go to, find a QR code and then answer some questions relating to science. They were pretty fun questions like Scientist or Serial Killer, Rock or Cake, take a selfie with the Monash mascot and general science questions like what is “Myrmecology” the study of (we had no idea and guessed). After we finished the scavenger, we got a box of Cadbury favourites!
After that, one other of my friends and I split off with the group after that and said our goodbyes as it was already 1:20 pm and still wanted to see the club stalls and eat lunch. Bought a lab coat and goggles at MSS and then walked around by myself to see clubs I’m interested in before taking the bus and going back home.
That day was already long enough and I still can’t believe it takes me a full hour to get back home AND I have to change buses which never comes on time. I saw a good amount of people from high school and some old friends who I met in Year 7 but never kept in contact with. It’s still weird to think that I’m no longer a high school student??!!
To end on a good note, I managed to change my timetable around a bit and only have to go on campus every 2 or 3 days, rotating every week!
I’m excited (and VERY nervous) for my first set of classes.
Thanks for reading this long post!!
Vera
