Some important answers
What is Academic Advising?
Academic Advising sessions offer students the opportunity to find out more about their course and receive assistance in selecting units for study or applying for Advanced Standing. For some courses Academic Advising is compulsory. Check if Academic Advising is required for your course.
How is Orientation different from Academic Advising?
The definition of Academic Advising is provided in the question above. Orientation is an opportunity to find out more about your course, what services are available to assist you, how to navigate your way around your campus and is a great opportunity to meet academic staff and other students in your course. Go to the Orientation website has details of your course session.
What is the difference between a lecture and a tutorial?
A lecture is normally held in a large room or lecture theatre with many students and one lecturer. You are expected to take down relevant notes during the lecture.
A tutorial is a smaller group led by a tutor. You discuss lecture material and readings and sometimes present your own work.
Are lectures and tutorials compulsory?
Some parts of your course are compulsory. Information on compulsory components will be provided to you in your unit outline. Even if a part is not compulsory you should attend as work is covered quickly and catching up can be difficult.
What is the difference between an Undergraduate and Postgraduate course?
You can do an undergraduate course without having been to university before. You need to have completed a degree, or equivalent, or have a particular level of experience in the field to do a postgraduate course. These and other words which UWS uses which may be unfamiliar to you are explained in our A-Z Guide section.
How do I register for tutorials?
You will need to register for tutorials before the teaching session starts. Information on when to register is in your enrolment pack. Register and follow the instructions.
How do I know I am enrolled in a unit?
Once you have submitted your forms at enrolment you can check your enrolled units 72 hours after you have established your MyUWSAccount. Follow the prompts to activate your account.
Can I change the units that I am enrolled in?
You can vary your enrolment online using MyStudentRecords (MySR). Log in to MySR using your MyUWSAccount details, then click the 'Enrolment' link. Click 'Unit Selection' to view your current enrolment, and add and delete units as you wish. Remember you must 'Confirm' your enrolment for units to be valid, and comply with the relevant course and unit rules. You may add units without special permission until 5pm on the Friday of the second week of session, and drop units until the session census date or more information about adding and dropping units go to Managing your study.
What is an elective?
An elective is a unit that you self select from other courses in the university. Usually an elective is a free choice unit based on your interests or a unit you believe will enhance your studies in a particular field.
UWS actively encourages students to take elective units in disciplines other than their major area of study. Students should seek advice from their course coordinator in the first instance.
When do I get my timetable?
Once you know which units you are enrolled in it is your responsibility to check the teaching session timetable information to work out where and when your units are scheduled. You will not receive any kind of hard copy timetable from Academic staff.
Remember you must register for tutorials and may also need to register for labs.
I am not very confident taking notes or writing essays. What can I do?
UWS offers a lot of help at no charge. The Student Learning Unit runs a number of workshops throughout the semester to help.
A range of free professional services, programs and special activities for students in the areas of careers and employment, personal counselling, disability support as well as learning skills are available at UWS. More information is available on the Getting Help page.
How do I know which text books I will need?
When you attend your first lecture you will receive a unit outline which will list the texts you need for the unit. You can obtain textbooks from Co-op Bookshops located on all UWS campuses. You can buy key texts here.You may also be able to buy second-hand texts through your Student Association or through keeping an eye on the noticeboards on campus. The Library will also have copies of compulsory texts in closed reserve.
What do I do if I miss a compulsory component of my course?
If you have been unable to attend or complete a compulsory component of your course then you may be eligible for special consideration. Make sure you read the policy on Special Consideration and speak to your Academic Program/Unit Coordinator.
How do I contact my lecturer or tutor?
Your unit outline will give details of how to contact your lecturer or tutor. They have set consultation hours during each teaching session. If you are unable to contact them, then your school administration office will be able to provide information on their consultation hours. To find contact details for academics (or other staff) at UWS, type their name into the Staff Directory. Once you have their 'Personal Details' screen, you can click on the School/Division name to find contact details for other staff from the school or division to which they belong.
What is stuvac?
Stuvac is the period immediately prior to the official examination period during which no lectures or tutorials are held, to allow you more time to prepare for your exams.
Where can I get my exam timetable?
Students are requested to access their personalised examination timetable on PlatformWeb. No staff members, including Student Centre staff, are permitted to advise students of their examination timetable details.
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