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A typical day at university

For many of the units that you study at university you will find that you have more than one teacher. So, for each unit, there is a unit coordinator who is responsible for coordinating the unit and communicating essential subject information to students. This information will include the learning objectives for the unit; that is, an outline of what you are expected to learn and what you will be assessed on.

For each unit you will be told how many contact hours there are, and how these hours are spent, for example, in lectures, tutorials, practical sessions etc. Don't forget about the additional hours of preparation and assignment work that are necessary for successful study.

When you plan your day, start with the sessions you must attend. Then allow for time you need to spend in the library, the computer lab, seeing a tutor about some work you are doing, etc. Then allow time for getting assignments done.

If you plan to work part-time, make sure you take this into account when planning your study time.  Be aware of working too many hours and the impact this may have on your studies.

The way you organise your day is up to you!

four students and one tutor looking at computer monitors

Sonja

My university day usually begins with my first class at 9 am, or it can be as early as 8 am for some sessions.

In medicine we have to do a prescribed number of optional programs or site visits for the year. On the days that we have 'options', it might mean that I have to be somewhere specific between 9 am and noon, and then back at campus for lectures by 2:15 pm.

But if I'm not rostered for an option I sleep in. It's really great when this happens because I have a very full timetable in medicine.

To plan or not to plan?

Toni

If you don't have a scheduled class, then it's up to you to involve yourself in some study or assignment work that you are required to do. No-one will tell you what to do in your non-contact hours. It's up to you to organise your time so that all required work gets done.

It's also up to you when and how long you take breaks from your work during the day. There aren't any bells rung to tell you when to have a morning or afternoon break; nor a set time to have lunch, although in my course, classes are not scheduled between 1 pm and 2 pm. During that hour the university cafeterias and lawns are very crowded.