A new year and a new stage begins for more than 2800 students
Friday 24 February was a day of contrasts: a formal Commencement Ceremony, where the students were officially greeted as Undergraduates by the Vice-Chancellor, followed by the UWA Guild O-Day Fair and Concert showcasing the fun and relaxed side of university.
Over 2800 undergraduate students commenced their studies at UWA in 2006. For many students, O-Day is their first experience of university community life, and every year both the university staff and student communities ensure that the O-Day experience is a memorable one!
O-Day begins with a presentation by the Vice Chancellor and the head of Student Services at the Sommerville Auditorium. Afterwards the new students are led to James Oval where the Guild O-Day Fair begins proper. Every organisation, club and society at the university that caters to the students is present to answer questions and highlight the more entertaining side of university life.
For the rest of the day the new students of UWA can volunteer to be thrown around a crash mat by the UWA Karate club, find out about the infamous Prosh, get dressed up with the UWA Medieval Club and join the UWA Drama Society. All the UWA sporting clubs are there to court potential players - from rowing to wakeboarding, from aussie rules to soccer. Whether someone wants to continue with their favourite sport or get involved in something new at university, the O-Day Fair is the best place to do so. Lastly and most importantly for many, the O-Day Fair is when you can activate your UWA Student Guild membership.
In addition to the Guild clubs and societies O-Day is also a good opportunity for new students to find out about Student Services and what they have to offer. There are many services available including learning skills workshops, financial aid information, careers information, counselling services and medical help. Almost all of the services provided by Student Services are free to students.
Coming to university can be an overwhelming, even frightening prospect. More than anything else, O-Day helps you make that transition between high school and university more comfortable by showing you just how many people there are who are eager to welcome you to the university and give you a helping hand whenever you need it. It's also one of the best opportunities students have all year to meet people and make friends. When you are preparing to come to university make sure you mark O-Day in your calendar.
