USC will welcome more than 100 new students to its Gympie campus tomorrow with a packed Orientation program that mixes the serious and not-so-serious side of university life.

Workshops, tours, stalls, live music and even a free lunch are part of the event to familiarise students with the campus and help them to successfully transition to tertiary study.

The number of new students electing to study locally has jumped more than 20 percent since last year, taking estimated total enrolments at the Gympie campus to about 270 when Semester 1 begins next Monday (26 February).

Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill said Orientation provided a great opportunity for students to learn academic skills to assist them throughout their studies.

“It is also a chance to meet other students and to find out about the various groups on campus that can help make their student experience here even more fulfilling and enjoyable.”

The new cohort will attend information sessions and meet academic staff from their study programs, join workshops on IT and research fundamentals, and gain insights into campus life from second and third-year student mentors.

They will be introduced to free wellbeing services provided by USC, including counselling, study support and practical help with accommodation, finance and budgeting needs.

Gympie students are also invited to attend the welcome activities held during the week-long Orientation at USC’s Sippy Downs campus.

More information on Orientation can be found at www.usc.edu.au/orientation. For details about enrolling to study at USC go to www.usc.edu.au/learn

Applications are still open to study at USC in 2018.

— Clare McKay