Curieux’s Semester Two O-Week Guide
By Phoebe Davies
And just like that, the start of the second semester of 2021 is mere days away from commencing. But it wouldn’t be the start of the semester without O-Week, filled with fun, food, and plenty of opportunities to familiarise yourself with UC and all it has to offer (or have a little refresher if this isn’t your first time around the block). As per usual, UC has got every area covered, creating a week that is the perfect start to another semester. With a plethora of activities on the schedule, this is an O-Week you don’t want to miss out on.
Make sure to keep in mind that all events are ticketed, so if there are any events you want to attend then be sure to grab your tickets before attending!
So, without further ado, let’s have a look at what this O-Week has in store for you.
Monday – July 26th
We are starting the week off right, with a delicious pancake breakfast, starting at 9.30am on the concourse. Be sure to get in quick because with pancakes this good, and toppings to match, who knows how long they’ll last.
At 10 am, also on the concourse, a Welcome to Country will officially start O-Week, so grab your breakfast and hang around.
If you’re feeling crafty or want to try your hand at some arts and crafts, then be sure to swing by the refectory from 10 am. UC Thrive is holding their Info Zone every day this week, so it’s a great opportunity to meet your Student Mentors, and try your hand at some rock painting or making macrame plant hangers at the Wellbeing Craft Station.
If you’ve recently moved to Canberra from a regional area and are wanting to chat with your peers and current UC students who have this shared experience, then come along to the New To UC virtual meet and greet, taking place at 10.30 am. Make sure to register for the event and the link will be provided.
Since your morning has been full of fun and socialising, it is now time for you to head on over to the refectory for the welcome lunch. Lunch starts at 12pm, so make sure you don’t miss out on what is bound to be a delicious meal.
For those who are still in a crafty mood, or are wanting a little something handmade to spice up your room, then head down to The Well from 1-3 pm to try your hand at making your very own terrarium.
The UC Esports Lounge is delivering quite a few fun gaming opportunities this week, starting off with a VR Escape Room which will be running all week. Make sure to register online and you will be notified of your session’s start and finish times.
At 2 pm head on over to the Refectory to partake in a classic O-Week activity, Speed Friending. Whether you’re new to UC, want to make some new friends, or just love getting to know new people, this is a great way for some speedy and fun socialising.
For UC’s mature-aged students, whether you’re starting this semester, or want to meet more of your peers, then head on over to the Clive Price Suite at 6 pm for the Mature Age Meet & Greet.
To wrap up day one of O-Week, at 6.30 head back on down to the UC Esports lounge for their weekly Smash Bros Tournament. It’s sure to be a blast so don’t miss out on the action.
Tuesday – July 27th
Day two of O-Week is off to a great start with UC Thrive’s Info and Craft Zone. They’ll be starting daily at 10 am in the refectory, so if you haven’t missed out on getting to meet your student mentors, or trying your hand and some arts and crafts.
Starting at 11 am is something that you won’t want to miss. Market Day is kicking off with a collection of UC’s clubs, societies, and organisations. So make sure you don’t miss out, because there will be something for everyone. Make sure you swing by Curieux’s table and have a chat with our editors, pick up a copy of our latest print edition, and even find out how you can get involved. Market Day will be running until 2 pm, so don’t miss out!
For those wanting their first or third cup of coffee for the morning, then a coffee cart will be in the refectory, from 11 am-2 pm to attend to all your caffeine needs as you stroll through Market Day.
This is also one of three days this week that the Food Pantry will be running, so from 11 am to 1 pm, you can pop on down to the Food Pantry in the UCX Student Lounge.
For those wanting to partake in the VR Escape Room down in the UC Esports Lounge, then you’re in luck because the Esports Lounge is running these escape rooms every day this week. Make sure to register online and you’ll be given the start and finish times of your session.
If you’re wanting to learn how to navigate the UC learning environment, covering areas from how you can access your unit information, planning your studies, how to access study help and other UC services, then head on over to 2B07 at 1.30 pm to get the information you need and all your questions answered.
This one is for the lovers of trivia, or if you’re wanting a fun night with friends. At 6.30 pm, head on over to the refectory for a fun-filled Trivia Night.
Wednesday – July 28th
The third day of O-Week is kicking off with the familiar faces at UC Thrive, with their daily Info and Craft Zone starting at 10 am in the refectory.
A book swap is taking place from 11 am to 1 pm on the concourse, so bring a book you’re happy to part with and swap it for a new read. Who knows, you might just find your new favourite book.
For those wanting to partake in the VR Escape Room down in the UC Esports Lounge, then you’re in luck because the Esports Lounge is running these escape rooms every day this week. Make sure to register online and you’ll be given the start and finish times of your session.
If you’re wanting to learn how to navigate the UC learning environment, covering areas from how you can access your unit information, planning your studies, how to access study help and other UC services, then head on over to 2B07 at 1.30 pm to get the information you need and all your questions answered.
What is better than free food? Free donuts! Come and grab this delicious treat at 2 pm on the concourse.
At 2 pm head on over to the Refectory to partake in a classic O-Week activity, Speed Friending. Whether you’re new to UC, want to make some new friends, or just love getting to know new people, this is a great way for some speedy and fun socialising.
This is the second day this week that the Food panty is running, so swing by the UCX Student Lounge from 4-6 pm. But if you can’t make it, don’t stress because there’s still one more day this week that you can come by.
To wrap up day three of O-Week settle in for a movie night with Pizza. SAC and UC Life are bringing you a showing of Coco, a feel-good movie perfect for the middle of O-Week.
Thursday – July 29th
The fourth day of O-Week is once again kicking off with the familiar faces at UC Thrive, with their daily Info and Craft Zone starting at 10 am in the refectory.
Do you love cooking? Or want to pick up a new skill? Well, you’re in luck because in the UCX Student Lounge from 11 am to 1 pm, you can partake in a cooking class.
If cooking isn’t your thing, but you’re wanting to swing by the food pantry, then this is the last day this week you can do so. From 11 am to 1 pm swing by the UCX Student Lounge for the food pantry.
Midday Music will provide you with some entertainment on the northern concourse from 12-2pm. So grab some lunch and lounge around as you listen to your talented peers perform.
For those wanting to partake in the VR Escape Room down in the UC Esports Lounge, then you’re in luck because the Esports Lounge is running these escape rooms every day this week. Make sure to register online and you’ll be given the start and finish times of your session.
If you’re wanting to learn how to navigate the UC learning environment, covering areas from how you can access your unit information, planning your studies, how to access study help and other UC services, then head on over to 2B07 at 1.30 pm to get the information you need and all your questions answered.
At 2 pm head on over to the Refectory to partake in a classic O-Week activity, Speed Friending. Whether you’re new to UC, want to make some new friends, or just love getting to know new people, this is a great way for some speedy and fun socialising.
Looking for a fun way to wrap up the second to last day of O-Week? Kicking off at 8 pm down in the UCX Student Lounge is a board game night. So grab your friends, or just come by and join in, because it’s bound to be a fun night.
Friday – July 30th
It’s the last day of O-Week, which means in order to finish strong, we’ve got to start strong, with the most important meal of the day. Swing on by the concourse from 10 am to enjoy a delicious egg and bacon roll for breakfast.
This is your last chance to swing by the refectory and say hi to your student mentors for UC Thrive’s Info and Craft Zone. Like every other day this week, things will be kicking off at 10 am.
For those who missed out on the New to UC virtual meet and greet earlier in the week, now’s your chance to say hi to your peers and chat to current UC students who have this shared experience of moving from a regional area to Canberra. Register online and the link to the event will be provided to you.
Once again the UC Esports Lounge is running their daily VR Escape Room, so if you’re interested, make sure to register online and turn up for your session.
Wanting to have a tour of Canberra to get to know the place you’ll be calling home whilst you’re at uni? A Canberra Bus Tour will be running to help wrap up the last day of O-Week, so make sure you’ve got your ticket, and are at The Well by 1 pm.
UC is making sure we wrap up this O-Week in style. Hands Like Houses are performing in the refectory from 8 pm, so make sure you’ve got your tickets and are ready to dance the night away.
And just like that, another semester is underway and another O-Week is all wrapped up. You can get a closer look at what this week will have in store for you on the UC Life Event Page. And we wish you all the best for the upcoming semester.