O f f i c e
Welcome to university for 2009 everyone! Welcome back to
those that are continuing to study, and to those who are just
commencing in 2009, welcome and good luck!

Being an off campus student can be quite daunting at times,
but being an off campus student myself, I can honestly say
that it’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve done so far in
my life. I’m currently working whilst studying part time, so
know how hard it can be to juggle the two. There are even
those out there who are studying full time whilst working!
Here are some hints and tips that have helped me work
around the two, and I hope they help you as well.

The Deakin University Student Association (DUSA) Wall
Planner. If you sign up as a paid member of DUSA
(www.dusa.org.au), for just $20 you get a bag of life savers
including this wall planner. Stick it up somewhere near where
you will be studying, and when you get all your course mate-
rial, mark down those important dates, exams, assignments,
and even those important non study events that will impact
on your time.

The weekly study planner. Available at http://www.deakin.edu.au/current-students/study-
support/study-skills/downloads/weekly-planner.doc , I have this little gem sitting on my desk. In
hourly blocks I mark down the hours I’ll be at work, and any other important things such as meal
times, or any other activities that need to be done through the week. Remember, the
recommended study load for a subject is 10 hours, so make sure that you have that time. Also
allow yourself two hour study blocks per subject with a break in between. If you keep at this, you
should find that you never fall behind in your work, and you have time left over to revise for
exams.

The DUSA Diary. This also comes in the paid membership package. When you get your unit
material, write down every week what you will be expected to do, and mark it off as you have
completed it. This may sound like a chore in itself, but by only having to refer to the diary on your
desk instead of multiple unit guides, you’ll save time and be more productive!

So, that’s only a few tips, and I’m sure there are many others out there with more helpful tips
that could benefit us all. So why not email us so that we can publish them in the next issue of
Office, or you could submit them to the DUSA Chill Out Forum at http://forum.dusa.org.au/,
which is also a great place to relax and communicate with other students in the same situation as
you.

Remember, it’s not all about study; it’s about relaxing too, which will only contribute to making
your uni life more rewarding. Looking forward to another great year. Good luck everyone!

Ainslee Hooper
DCC Student Representative
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