Your first semester journey - a guide for Clayton coursework students

• Arrival - 'O' week

• Steep ascent - weeks 1-3

• Gaining momentum - weeks 4-6

• Full speed ahead - weeks 7-10

• The race is on - week 11 onwards

Arrival - 'O' week

Essentials

Attend the MPA postgrad orientation session for the lowdown on postgraduate facilities and services at Clayton

Attend your faculty-specific orientation events

Register your student card for 24 hour access to the MPA postgraduate lounge in the Campus Centre (Building 10)

Subscribe to the MPA Email News

You may also want to...

Check out our accommodation guide

Check out the Monash Marketplace for 2nd-hand goods and house-sharing

International students can sign up for the peer mentoring program

Find out abut the Global Friendship nights held every Tuesday on campus

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Steep ascent - weeks 1-3

When making the transition to postgraduate study you may have to refresh your academic and/or language skills. Your faculty, the library, learning skills advisers and MPA staff have organised seminars to assist you. There are a wide range of seminars each semester on topics such as assignment writing, time-management and presentation skills

Tips

Read your course outline

Get familiar with 'Blackboard'

Start working on assignment 1

Get familiar with referencing

Form working groups

Meet your subject librarian

Attend library introductory classes at the Matheson Library

Attend Learning Skills drop-in sessions

Study the MPA guide to Postgraduate Programs and choose the seminars you'd like to attend

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Gaining momentum - weeks 4-6

Communicate regularly with your lecturers, tutors & learning skills advisors - get feedback if you are on track for assignments.

Meet regularly with your working groups and assignment teams, allocate tasks and responsibilities

Tips

Keep up with your reading

Catch up with further readings (in unit guides)

Draw up a study plan

Visit Language & Learning Online - a great resource to improve your academic skills

Take time to socialise at MPA coffee clubs and free lunches

Drop into the MPA Clayton office and chat with staff

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Full-speed ahead - weeks 7-10

Peak assignment season! Read assignment criteria and keep up with your readings. Meet regularly with your working groups and assignment teams and communicate via email between meetings.

Tips

Make a revision plan & start revising

For group work - set deadlines for everyone’s tasks and check that all is on track.

Catch up with your subject librarian to check the sources for your assignments

Attend Learning Skills drop-in sessions, bring along parts of your assignments and specific questions

 

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The race is on - week 11 onwards

This is when it all comes together. If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed - don't worry. Many first semester postgraduates do! Just stick to your study and assignment writing plans – take one day at a time.

Tips

Revise all articles

Attend the revision lecture/tutorial in week 13

Finalise those assignments, set times for presentation practice

Form study groups for exam preparation

Catch up with your subject librarian to check the sources for your assignments

Attend Learning Skills drop-in sessions, bring along parts of your assignments and specific questions

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