This document provides information to help students prepare for studying at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC). It outlines key services and resources available to students, including Student Central for assistance, the library, IT helpdesk, academic skills support, careers services, and health and wellbeing support. It discusses the USC Gympie campus specifically, covering locations like the student canteen, library, and outdoor areas. The document provides tips for success, such as being organised, engaged in learning, utilizing university services, connecting with others, and asking for help. It also explains aspects of studying at USC like different class types, managing fees, and understanding grades. In summary, the document is an orientation guide for new US

1. Preparing
for
USC

2. 2

3. Acknowledgement
of Country
USC acknowledges the Traditional
Custodians of the land on which we
live, work and study. USC pays its
respect to local indigenous Elders
past, present and emerging and
recognises the strength, resilience
and capacity of all Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander people.

4. After
today,
you will
know
• More about your campus
• Who to contact for assistance
• How things work at USC
• Our top tips for success
Today's session

5. • Be organised and
prepared
• Be motivated to learn
• Engage in your own
learning
• Utilise university services
• Ask for help
• Connect with others
Our top tips for success

6. Getting to know your
campus

7. USC Gympie
Come on a campus tour
for a guided walk and
search for these locationsStudent
Central
Tafe
Canteen
Library
Outdoor/BBQ
area

8. Gympie campus
• Study spaces
• Public transport
• Free shuttle bus
• Tafe Canteen
8.30am-1.15pm Monday-Thursday, Closed ​Fridays.​​
Please note: The canteen is closed during school
holidays.​
• Student kitchen (free coffee, tea,
fridge)
• Student events/lunches
• Gympie USC Facebook page
• Co – op bookshop (O
day/online)
• Water re-fill on campus

9. Student Central
Student Central is your first point
of contact
• Online: Search for answers at Student
Central
• Email: studentcentral@usc.edu.au
• Tel: +61 7 5456 5800
• In person: Ground Floor
• Opening hours:
• Monday-Friday: 8:30am - 4:30pm

10. • The SafeUSC community team are available to accompany you to anywhere
within the campus
• SafeUSC guards (security) are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• The campus is monitored by CCTV
• SafeUSC community team members are qualified Senior First Aid Officers
• SafeUSC information is located on your Student ID card
• The Safer Community Unit is your one stop shop for any safety related matters
Stay safe on campus

11. • SafeZone is your free on-campus safety app
• Download the app, complete the sign up process, and create instant access to the Safe USC community
team
• You can call for help, first aid, emergency assistance, and receive campus notifications
Stay safe on campus

13. • Wireless and power outlets
• Comfortable study areas
• Lounge
Study spaces in the library

14. usc.edu.au/library
Resources
Help Guides
Library Locations and Opening
Hours
Renew your Items
Book Group Study Rooms
Visit the library homepage

15. Visit the Library Helpdesk or
attend
a workshop
Call us on 5430 3614
Email us at LibraryHelp@usc.edu.au
Chat to us online
Follow us @LibraryUSC
Library helpdesk

16. Who can help?

17. Can offer assistance for:
• Connecting to Wireless (Select
'Eduroam', enter your full student
email as the username and your
student password to connect).
• Password Problems
• Issues viewing lecture recordings,
etc.
• Accessing 'USC Anywhere'
Can’t offer assistance for:
• Training, formatting documents
• Software installation or personal PC
issues
• Corrupted files
Contact Us
Ph: 5459 4455
Email: studentithelp@usc.edu.au
Student IT Helpdesk
Use alternative free
resources located on
Blackboard
Train Station / Lynda.com

18. You can
access
• Academic Skills Advisers
• Drop-ins
• Workshops
• 1:1 appointments
• Career Development Advisers
• Student Leadership Award
• Work Experience Scheme
• Student Hub for bookings and careers
resources
• Blackboard
• Studiosity (online academic skills
support) 24/7
Support for Learning

19. Academi
c Skills
Advisers
discuss academic expectations​
academic integrity, assessment requirements
help you gain study skills​
time management, reading, listening & notetaking, oral
presentations
work on your writing skills​
essays, business reports, paraphrasing, referencing
usc.edu.au/academicskills
Academic & study support

20. Academic Skills Workshops
Pre-semester workshops are
available for:
• Study Skills
• Task Analysis
• Research
• Academic Writing
• Referencing
• Proofreading/editing/grammar
Check out the Academic Skills
Workshops webpage for more
information on options to support
your learning.

21. USC Careers
• Career Advice &
Guidance
• Application Reviews
• Interview Skills
• Employability
Workshops
• Connecting to Industry
• And much more!
Use our range of services to unlock
employability and career planning
skills, as you learn.
Careers resources
and services are
located via Student
Hub

22. Indigenous Services
The Buranga Centre
• 1:1 appointments with student advisers
• Gympie events
• Scholarships ​
• Indigenous Academic mentoring offers
additional tuition to assist Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander students
General enquiries:
Tel: +61 7 5456 5889
Fax: +61 7 5459 4832
Email: Indigenous@usc.edu.au

23.  ssss
If you are a
USC
student, you
are
automaticall
y a member!
• Not-for-profit organisation
• Governed by students for students
• Advocacy and Welfare support
• Tenancy and Legal support
• Student Leadership volunteer opportunities
Like on Facebook to keep up to date
/USCStudentGuild

24. Health and
wellbeing
Healthy me, healthy you, healthy
USC
USC can support you to manage
your health needs:
• Online health and wellbeing
resources (search Health and
Wellbeing on the USC website)
• Counselling Services
• AccessAbility Services

25. Counselling Services
USC provides FREE counselling support and advice
for any study or personal issues:
Motivation
Procrastinatio
n
Adjustment
Homesickne
ss
Financial
Stress
Self harm
& Suicide
Sleep Personal
Issues
Sexual
Assault or
harassment
Grief &
Loss
Contact: Student Wellbeing
Book online via the Student Hub
Email: studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au

26. AccessAbility Services provides
assistance, advocacy and reasonable
academic adjustments if your studies are
affected by a physical or mental health
condition.
Contact: AccessAbility Services
Book online via the Student Hub
Email: AccessAbility@usc.edu.au
AccessAbility Services
Support for:
• disabilities
• medical conditions
• mental health issues
• learning disabilities
• injuries or illnesses
• Carers of others
• disclosure of your condition

27. We can help you with:
• Settling into studies and balancing study
commitments with work, family and life
• Connecting with other students through peer
learning and volunteer opportunities
• Advice on, and referrals to, support services
• Advice if you are experiencing difficulties with your
studies
Your First Year is located
on Blackboard and
provides key information
in an easy to navigate
weekly format
Student Experience Advisers
Contact us:
At Student Central
Email: studentexperience@usc.edu.au
Ph: 07 5456 3700​
Book an appointment: via StudentHub

28. Understanding how
things work at USC

29. USC
Central
Blackboard Student
Email
Get to know USC Systems
Student
Hub

30. USC terminology
Program
Course
Class
Recommended study
sequence
Electives
Majors/minors
Inherent academic
requirements
Credit
Scholarships
Managing your studyCourse codes
What are they
talking about?

31. • Lectures - the lecturer talks, you listen,
watch and note
• Tutorials (tutes) - you prepare,
participate, discuss and present
• Flipped Classroom – self directed learning
activities/readings
• Lectorial – a combination of lecture and
tutorial
• Laboratories (labs) - you perform tasks,
workshop and discuss
• Practical (prac)/placement – often in a
workplace (e.g. school, hospital)
• Online (Blackboard) – review lectures,
access readings, complete quizzes,
You may
have…
Understanding class types

32. Discuss in
pairs/group
s
True or False?
1. During classes students should not interrupt
the lecturer to ask questions
2. Students should always work with their
friends for group assignments
3. If I already know about a concept or idea, I
can write about it in my assignment without
researching further
Discuss in pairs/groups

33. Applying for credit
You may receive credit from a completed:
• Certificate III
• Certificate IV
• Diploma
• Advanced Diploma
• Bachelor Degree
Apply for credit as soon as possible by
submitting a credit transfer form.

34. Fees and Finance
Ecaf = Fees paid towards your university courses
Esaf = Fees paid towards student amenities
Both can be deferred to HECS/SA-HELP (pay nothing up
front)
When you complete your checklist/to do items in USC
Central you will be asked if you want to defer your fees to
HECS/SA-HELP and prompted to enter your Tax File
Number.
If you have completed this step than you have applied for
HECS/SA-HELP
Be aware that even if you have deferred your fees to
HECS/SA-HELP they will still be displayed in USC
Central until after financial census date.

35. Attach your photo to an email and send it to:
studentcentral@usc.edu.au; or visit Student Central
Get your student ID Card
• Photos must meet the following specifications:
• Photos must be a colour, JPEG files
• Background should be plain and light-coloured
• You must be forward-facing, with your head and
shoulders clearly visible
• No sunglasses, hats or headwear
• Photos should be portrait orientation, no larger
than 200KB
• Your first student ID card is issued free of charge

36. Enrolment and managing your
study
There are a number of resources available on the USC
website under 'Managing your Progression'
• Download a study planner
• Step-by-step instructions and guidelines on how to plan
the rest of your degree
• Electives, majors and minors
• Submit an online request for assistance to our
Progression advice team
If you have questions about your study progression you can
talk with someone from the Progression Team at Student
Central – drop in when you’re on campus.

37. Academic
Calendar –
Important
Dates!
Academic calendar – Important
dates!
• Financial Census Date (Semester
1)
22nd March
• Academic Census Date
(Semester 1)
3rd May
• Mid-Session break (Semester 1)
15th – 22nd April
• Academic Calendar
• Diaries and A3 Calendars will be
available at Orientation

38. Understand
the task
Find
Information
Read, Take
Notes, Plan
your
argument
Draft – More
information,
more reading,
Refine your
ideas
Edit and
proofread
Submit
Use the Assignment Calculator to help you
https://www.usc.edu.au/assignment-calculator
Planning assignments

39. • Your study materials may include
textbooks, workbooks and/or
course readers
• Check Blackboard for course
material requirements
• These can be made to order
• Please allow 1-3 days for
workbooks to be printed
• Order online via MyPrint SHOP @
MyPrint.usc.edu.au
Study materials, workbooks and
textbooks
Second hand textbooks can be
found from a number of places:
• Facebook page (USC textbooks –
buy and sell – University of the Sunshine
Coast)
• Co-op Bookshop
• Blackboard
• Online (Student VIP)
• Public noticeboards
• Online bookstores
• Library Reserve
Just makes sure it is the right
edition!

40. How will I be assessed at USC?
a) Written assignments
b) Tutorial participation and presentations
c) Examinations or tests
d) Online assessment tasks
e) It depends on the course
Quiz

41. HD High Distinction 85-100%
D Distinction 75-84%
C Credit 65-74%
P Pass 50-64%
F Fail <50 %
Grades

42. Ph: 5459 4455
Email: studentithelp@usc.edu
Grab your free copy of Microsoft
Office

43. • Log onto MyPrint
• Add value and check your balances
• View activity statements
• Change your 4 digit pin
• Access Webprint to send files from
your own device
• Use your USC Student ID number
to login to the self-serve printers
• Black/white and colour printer,
copier, scanners are located at all
USC campuses
• $20 SAAF Credit
Print, copy and scan
You can find a list of printer
locations, whether they are
accessible 24 hours and their
colour printing capabilities by
searching 'Printer Locations' on
the USC website

44. Students
are
expected
to…
• Participate in class discussions, ask questions and seek
clarification if you are unsure
• Prepare by completing required readings and activities
• Appreciate that everyone brings different strengths to
groupwork
• Respect diverse perspectives contribute to your learning
at university
• Read critically and widely
• Acknowledge the work of others through accurate
referencing and citation
• Understand academic integrity
usc.edu.au/studentexpectations
Student expectations

45. Our tips for success at
USC

46. Be
organised
Semester
Week
Day
168 hours in a week
10 hours of study per course per
week
RECAP: Our tips for success

47. Time management
Your Time
Management
planner
might look
something
like this.....

48. Be
engaged in
your
learning
Be an active learner
• Prepare for lectures
• Participate in tutorials
• Join a study group
• Read, think, ask questions
Be a responsible learner
• Check your email regularly
• Use Blackboard
• Know your assessment requirements
• Respect others
• Have academic integrity
• Understand academic expectations
Tips for success

49. Utilise
universit
y
services
Tips for success

50. Connect with staff
• Talk to academics
• Participate in class
• Check your email regularly
• Ask for help – Student
Central or the teaching staff
Connect with students
• Join a study group
• Discuss ideas outside class
time
• Respect others
• Join in student events
• Volunteer on campus
Being connected is the
single greatest predictor
of student wellbeing!
Connect with others

51. Your next step…..

52. Student Central ~ usc.custhelp.com/
Campus Maps ~ usc.edu.au/maps
SafeUSC Community Team ~ usc.edu.au/security
Printing ~ usc.edu.au/printer-locations
Student ID Card ~ usc.edu.au/idcard
USC Central ~ usc.edu.au/usccentralguide
Student Email ~ usc.edu.au/uscmail
Student Hub ~ https://studenthub.usc.edu.au
Microsoft Office Download ~ usc.edu.au/office
Scholarships ~ usc.edu.au/scholarships
Credit ~ usc.edu.au/credit
Managing your progression ~ usc.edu.au/how-do-i-
enrol
Quicklinks
Assignment Calculator ~ usc.edu.au/assignment-calculator
Library ~ usc.edu.au/library
IT Services ~ usc.edu.au/itsupport
Academic Skill Advisers – usc.edu.au/academicskills
Careers ~ usc.edu.au/careers
Indigenous Services ~ usc.edu.au/indigenous
Student Guild ~ https://www.uscstudentguild.org.au/
Student Wellbeing/Counselling ~ usc.edu.au/studenthealth
AccessAbility ~ usc.edu.au/accessability
Academic Calendar ~ usc.edu.au/calendars
Fees ~ usc.edu.au/fees
Preparing for USC Checklist ~ usc.edu.au/preparingforusc