Skip to main content Skip to navigation Skip to footer

Life meets study

It doesn't matter if you've just left high school or you haven't been a student for a few years, study at uni is a whole new world.

To make the most of your experience as an ECU student we recommend some early preparation.

That way, you'll have a better chance of balancing your usual life with your new one as a uni student.

I need to talk to someone about my circumstances

ECU thrives on diversity. We teach a diverse range of courses and our students and staff come from diverse backgrounds and countries.

So we'll go out of our way to help you settle into uni life, whatever your situation.

For example, you may have a disability, mental health challenges, or another medical condition that might affect your study. Or you may be caring for someone at home who has a disability or medical condition.

Whatever your circumstances, you should contact our Access and Inclusion team as soon as you can, and ideally before you start your studies.

You might also want to check out this article so you know how many people across ECU can help you adjust to uni life. There are lots of us!

Support when you need it

Help for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

If you're from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community you can also chat to one of our staff at Kurongkurl Katitjin, ECU's Centre for Indigenous Australian Education and Research.

Introduce yourself by sending them an email: kkstudentsuccess@ecu.edu.au

Help for students who are parents

Depending on your family situation, you may need to organise your life for study and for attending a campus, including childcare considerations.

This includes information about long or short-term care, kids' holiday programs and facilities on campus for parents.

Related articles

Living and studying in Perth

Practical tips for International students, including how to find an interpreter, arranging schooling for children, and connecting with ethnic communities.

Read More

Support when you need it

A whole range of support for you as a new student, including career advice, counselling service, equity, diversity and disability services, health services and more.

Read More

uni•speak

What does
that mean?
Here's a quick guide to some of the things we mention during the Preparing stage.

  • Most university assignments follow a basic format. Knowing this will help you recognise what you need to do and how to do it. Assignments generally have five components:

    • An overview
    • A task statement
    • Content guidelines
    • Style/presentation guidelines
    • Assessment criteria

    Read more about assignments in our tip sheet

  • Lectures create an opportunity to teach a large number of students simultaneously. However, lectures don't teach you all you need to know about a subject. You're expected to supplement your learning from lectures with independent study and participating in tutorials, workshops, etc.

    Read more about lectures in our tip sheet

  • A seminar typically incorporates a lecture, combined with significant student participation. Seminars generally involve activities and discussions to encourage interaction between the students and the lecturer. Seminars are generally two to three hours long.

    Also see ‘Lectures’.

  • In most units you will be required to attend tutorials (also referred to as tutes). Usually there are about 20 students per tutorial group. The nature of tutorials will vary from tutor to tutor and subject to subject.

    Read more about tutorials in our tip sheet

  • Assessments enable your lecturer or tutor to see how well you are achieving the unit outcomes. Through your assessments your lecturer/tutor can provide you with feedback that can help you to improve your performance. Your work can also be given a score/grade.

    Read more about written assessments in our tip sheet

View more uni-speak