More commonly known as O-Week, this event takes up the first week of every semester and is your chance to learn about life at ANU, how to enrol in your classes, find out where your lectures will be held, and much more. This is when our students can take a campus tour, meet new friends, explore and join clubs and societies, chat with course conveners and attend induction sessions.

To give you the lowdown on Orientation Week and all the ways it can help you settle in, we sat down with Kezia Kartika, the ANU Orientation Officer, and asked her to share everything she knows about this event and getting the most out of it.

Kezia, why do you think O-Week at ANU is so important for new students?

“Well, essentially, it’s the first step in a university student’s learning journey. O-Week is a really valuable period that can help you settle in and get the important information you need.”

Is taking part in O-Week easy?

“Yes! All the people that manage O-Week activities are super-helpful and super-nice. Plus, there are different information platforms available to get the information you’re after. The University will send welcome emails to you too to let you know all the things you need to sort out before classes begin.

“Resources are available on the Orientation website, too, so new students can start looking at these if they would like to. There are a lot of events during Orientation Week that can help you meet new people, learn about your courses and seek help with planning for your studies.

“Basically, we’re here to make the transition to uni as smooth as possible. But we also always recommend you do it at your own pace and be kind to yourself. We understand it can be daunting, but we’re here for you!”

What are your tips on making the most of O-Week at ANU?

“Prioritise attending induction and college sessions if you can! The induction sessions go for an hour and will tell you everything about how to prepare for your first week of classes: how to enrol, get your student card, what courses you need to do for your degree, where you should go for your first lecture, what support services are available, and all the essential learning modules you need to complete, including the ones for students living on campus. And much more!

“ANU college induction sessions cover more specific details about your academic college in terms of your degree itself, and what courses you should be doing as a first-year student. On a social level, these sessions also offer lots of opportunities to make new friends, gain confidence and share the experience with people going through it with you.”

What support services are available at O-Week?

“On Wednesday during O-Week, ANU Student Central has a stall where you can talk face-to-face with the people who provide student support. Clubs and societies also have their own stalls, where you can learn how to get involved.

“We also offer campus tours because ANU is not just beautiful … it’s big! These tours will get you sorted for your first week. You’ll discover the key facilities located in the heart of the University, such as shops, the medical centre and the Kambri food precinct, and the many activities that also happen here. But the colleges are a little further out, so on the campus tours you’ll get to see the entire campus, including how to get to your specific college building.

“And, of course, there are lots of social events throughout the week that can help new students settle in. From movie nights to speed friending events, they are always super-fun!”

What other support services are available outside of O-Week?

“ANU offers a mentoring program for new students, where they’re paired with someone doing a similar degree or has similar interests. It’s called SET4ANU and runs over eight weeks. It involves fun social events and a supportive online community and answers any questions students have. It’s a fantastic way to make new friends as well.

“We also have a First-Year Experience (FYE) program that supports new domestic, undergraduate students from rural and remote, low-income/low-SES (socioeconomic status) and refugee backgrounds or who are the first in their families to attend university.

“Our Prepare for Arrival online webinars are also really valuable. They support students even before O-Week begins and feature student checklists, answers to questions about living on campus and navigating public transport, how to organise accommodation, the enrolment and timetabling process and where to get your student card. These webinars also cover things specific to international students, like how to set up a bank account in Australia and access health care. Parents can also get involved in these. Take a look at our orientation FAQs . They also cover lots of other important info.

“All the time you’re at uni, Student Central will be there to support you. The team are available by phone, email and in person and also has 24/7 resources available on its Wattle and OurBot web pages.

“You can get specific academic advice too by visiting your college. ANU offers academic skills workshops and career advice that will help you gain employability skills during your studies. We’ll also connect you to internship opportunities, student exchange programs and to services that can help you with adjustments and accessibility.

“There’s always someone at ANU who can help –all you need to do is ask."