Future Students

Study Support

Studying at university is different to going to school. You’ll be expected to do a lot more work on your own, and the workload is usually a lot heavier for most. Lectures and tutorials are a different way of being taught, and there are different expectations for the work you’ll be handing in.

A lot of students try to go it alone when adjusting to such a different approach, but there’s a whole host of programs, workshops, and facilities to aid you in adjusting, and improving your research, writing and studying skills. Here are some of them.

Library

The Macquarie University Library has approximately one million volumes in it, but it’s not just for storing books. The library offers a long list of services to help you use the library more effectively, and use your study time to get the best results.

With Academic Outreach Librarians, study guides for all subjects, Information Literacy Training and a ‘fast facts and ready reference’ option, it’s in your best interest to have a look at the help on offer at the library, for all your academic needs.

The library website also has a Frequently Asked Questions section that’s got answers to most of the major questions you might ask about the library itself, and everything to do with Macquarie.

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Macquarie University’s New Library 2010

Construction is already under way on Macquarie’s $77m brand new, state of the art Library. This new building will provide a 21st Century learning and research environment that facilitates vital interactions between people and knowledge. The facilities will be unmatched by any academic library in Australia and complement today’s collaborative approach to learning and research. Located at the main entry to the university, the new building will enrich campus life by providing a central Library combined with learning, research and social spaces. Special features include:

  • Australia's first automated book storage and retrieval system(ASRS)
  • learning lounges open 24/7
  • highly adaptable and high tech personal and collaborative learning spaces
  • café located at entrance

The native parklands of the campus have inspired an innovative design, which aims to set impressive sustainability standards.

Our New Library 2010

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Support for international students

If you’re an international student, then you might find adjustment to the demands of university study especially challenging. Macquarie provides a range of programs, courses and workshops to help you adjust to university life, Australian culture, and using English for academic purposes.

Understanding Australian slang words, the university system, and Australian customs are all covered in a program called Adjusting to Study and the University System. There’s no need to enrol, just walk in. The program is held at the Support Services Seminar Room, Level 2 Lincoln Building.

For more specific, assignment-oriented advice, there’s the Study Skills Adviser for International Students. They can’t do your assignments for you, but they can help you to understand the assignment task, and help you with researching and writing in a correct academic manner. They also can assist you with a lot of other study-related problems.

The Academic and Professional Communications Unit is part of the Linguistics Department, and offers training in English for Academic Purposes, English for Specific Purposes, and Communication for Academic and Professional Purposes.

There are two credit-bearing units that you can integrate into your study program at Macquarie University, aimed at developing your language skills while increasing proficiency in academic and professional communication.

Also on offer are a selection of non-credit courses, free language and communication workshops, and individual consultation services available to all Macquarie students for whom English is a second language.

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The Numeracy Centre

Most technical, financial and scientific courses at Macquarie require a pretty high level of knowledge about maths and numbers.

The Numeracy Centre exists to help you develop your mathematical proficiency to the level required at uni. With a free drop-in service, weekly workshops for some first-year courses, bridging programs and preparatory courses at the beginning of each semester and some on-line resources, there’s always help there if you need it. The Centre’s website also has some useful advice on coping with maths anxiety and developing your skills.

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Study workshops

So that you can make the most of the time you’ve put aside for study, and achieve your academic potential, Macquarie has a selection of study workshops you can attend. There are programs on procrastination, learning skills and lots more, and you can request programs to be tailored to your needs.

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Writing help

You’ll most likely be doing a lot of writing at uni, so you want to make sure that your writing skills are up to scratch. There’s lots of help on offer, so you never have to be impeded by your writing ability while at Macquarie University.

The Writing Skills Program for Undergraduate Students offers preliminary seminars before the beginning of classes in February, short courses in several different aspects of essay writing, and individual consultations by appointment, so you can get off to the best start in your assignments.

The Writing Gateway offers online support for improving your writing skills. With info on research, referencing, plagiarism and more, it’s a must for anyone new to academic writing.

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Learning skills workshops

Learning isn’t something that just happens. Learning is something you can get better at if you concentrate on developing your learning skills.

Macquarie University Counselling and Health Services offers a range of free Learning Skills Workshops, such as: Getting Organised; Effective Reading; Effective Note-Taking; Making the Most of Tutorials; and Coping with Examinations; and many more. So contact them if you want to find out more, and improve your learning experience.

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Student Online Study Support

Student Online Study Support is designed to help you develop your study skills so you can have a happy and successful university experience. With info on creating a balance between life and study, managing your time, and reading more effectively, it’s an essential guide for anyone wanting to study well and have a life while they’re at uni.

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IT Help

Information Technology is an integral part of the world and of course plays a major part in education at Macquarie University. If you aren’t the most technologically capable of people, it’s easy to feel like you’re behind the pack, and you might be at a serious disadvantage. Macquarie University is committed to providing equity for all our students, and therefore provides plenty of help for students to come to grips with IT, and make the most effective use out of it.

The IT Help Desk at the Library, can answer questions and give advice on any aspect of IT to our staff and students. There are also face to face training classes supported by training notes, and online training in IT and Information Skills can be undertaken any time at your leisure via LearningFast TeachMe or Information Skills Online. All your student computing needs can be attended to, including:

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