Your first semester journey - a guide for 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

If the MPA are not running a postgrad orientation session at your campus - then check out our orientation online for coursework students.

Attend your faculty-specific orientation events.

Register your student card for access to any postgraduate-specific study spaces.

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

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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 your 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

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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 assignmentsdrop-in sessions

Attend Learning Skills , 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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