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Bachelor of completing assignments and passing exams. Assessment:
Not all science tutorials have an attendance
requirement, so make sure you check Part of the joy (haha, not really) of picking
SCIENCE by Bec Carra the subject information in the University Science is that the exams will determine the
Handbook. Your attendance might also mark you receive. Keep this in mind, as it’s
directly affect your results - lecturers aren’t a good idea to be prepared early and make
Welcome to Janet Clarke Hall and the As you all should (hopefully!) know, each impressed with students who don’t go to cue cards or study materials regularly so you
Bachelor of Science! You now have just a subject usually consists of 2-3 lectures, a class. don’t leave it all to SWOT Vac. During SWOT
few days to shake off your holiday lethargy, practical, and a tutorial per week. However, Vac, it’s better to sit practice exams and
prepare to say goodbye to sleep-ins, and find the classes and format differ depending on answer practice questions. Most faculties will
where you left your brain over the holidays. the discipline of science and specific subject. release past exams for practice and some
Starting at university can be a daunting are available at the libraries, but it’s also a
experience, but don’t stress! This quick guide Lectures good idea to revisit questions and ideas from
is full of things I wish someone had told me lectures to further text yourself.
when I started my course. Please, please, please keep on top of your
lectures!!! Most science lectures are recorded The rest of your grade will be made up
The BSc (and majors) – but beware the trap of watching Lecture of smaller assignments and marks from
Capture! If you find the lecturers go too fast, practicals. Most subjects have regular
In the next few weeks, be prepared to get have a timetable clash, or prefer to watch multiple-choice tests. Definitely study for
asked about your course major. Some of lectures at your own speed (…or you fell these, as they tend to ask harder questions
you will know exactly what you want to do, asleep in class), it’s a fantastic tool. But I to prepare you for exams. Assignments will
and others not so much. Don’t worry if you really recommend watching them the same test your understanding and may need to be
aren’t sure, it’s okay to not know your final day if you choose to not attend lectures, as submitted in person. Maths assignments,
major! The great thing about having a general it’s incredibly easy to fall behind. It can be Practicals for example, must be placed into a particular
Science degree is that you’re not locked into stressful if you have an assignment or exam locker within the Peter Hall building. Be
one path; you’re free to explore different approaching and you realise you haven’t Practicals differ depending on subject, so familiar with your subject’s requirements, and
subjects and work out where you want to even seen the last 12 lectures covering that be familiar with your timetable. For fields all will be well.
go. I highly recommend taking a broad range module... And trust me, you do not want to like Earth Sciences and Maths, you will work
of subjects from different fields in your be the person who lucks their way through through problems and activities in groups, Have fun and best of luck!
first year so as to keep your options open. their assignments but gets to SWOT Vac and while in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics you
But, be aware! Many second-year subjects realises they haven’t seen a single lecture will be in the lab. Lab practicals often require
have prerequisites. For example, second- since week one… (there will be one person, some form of preparation: usually reading the
year maths subjects tend to require you to trust me) textbook and lab procedure, and completing My first year goals
have completed both Calculus 2 and Linear a pre-prac test (which are quite important,
Algebra (or, the equivalent Accelerated Maths Tutorials as they are compulsory and count towards
classes). your grade). Practicals are also very rushed,
You might hear different things about so being prepared is never a bad option. You
If you already know your major, that’s tutorials, but I found them really helpful. will require safety wear and notes for labs, so
fantastic! Make sure you check the Course Tutorials go through lecture content a little a good tip is to always make sure you have
Planning page for your major and figure out slower, give you exam problems to work your things ready (especially spare hair ties
which subjects you’ll have to do. Aside from through, and of course, you get to meet if you need them) the night before. You’ll pick
that, make sure you pursue a few different other people doing the subject. They’re also a up tips for doing well in labs as the year goes
interests. It’s very common for students to great space for asking questions if you don’t on - talk to older students to find out what
change their mind during their degree, and understand the course content, and often worked for them. As mentioned, do as much
that’s alright! can contain helpful student tips for as possible before each lab, to conserve time
within the labs themselves

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