Category Archives: Get started at UC

Make the most of your break!

You’re almost halfway through the first semester! Soon you will be able to reset, recharge, hang out with your whānau and mates, and do a few things you enjoy.

It might feel like the last thing you want to do, but the mid-semester break is also a great time to get ahead on your studies and assignments. Although lectures won’t be running, UC’s support services will still be here to help you catch up on study and plan ahead for the rest of the semester.

Look after yourself
It’s easy to put your health on the backburner when life gets busy with study and work. Over the break, it’s a good idea to book in those appointments you’ve been meaning to get to.

Te Whare Hauora | Health Centre offers a range of services, including check-ups and counselling, all at a low cost – or even for free – depending on your enrolment.

UCSA also offers a subsidised dental scheme for students, with discounted check-ups, hygiene appointments and treatments. You can learn more here>

Feeling burnt out?
It’s normal to feel tired after a busy term, but sometimes it’s more than that. If you need to talk – about feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or anything else that’s bothering you – Atawhai Ākonga | Student Care team are here to help. Learn more & book an appointment>

Get outdoors
Feeling stuck on an assignment? Sometimes all it takes to get your brain moving is a bit of fresh air. Ōtautahi is known as the garden city for good reason, with a huge range of beautiful green spaces to enjoy, including the nearby Riccarton BushBotanic Gardens or Mona Vale. Even a five-minute stroll along UC’s Okeover Stream can do the trick!

If you’re looking to go further afield, ChristchurchNZ have put together a fantastic list of walks to explore>

Talk to someone who’s been through it too
Uni is exciting – but also challenging. If you’re feeling a little lost, it’s great to talk to someone who’s been there and done that – an older UC student. There’s a range of mentorship options available. Learn more and register to get a mentor here>

Take charge with Te Pokapū Pūkenga Ako | Academic Skills Centre
With Term 2 workshops soon to be released, the break is the perfect time to book in some classes, whether you’re looking to upskill in notetaking, presenting or essay writing. You can also book in an individual consultation with a Learning Advisor to get help with specific assessments or challenges you’re facing. Learn more about Te Pokapū Pūkenga Ako here>

Not sure about your courses?
Reaching the end of Term 1 can make you reflect on the work you’ve done so far, and what your options are for the rest of the semester. Uni is all about growing and changing, so if you’re thinking about changing courses, UC’s kaitohutohu ākonga | student advisors are incredibly helpful when planning your degree.  

Make time for you 
Over the next few weeks make sure to refresh, recharge, hang out with your whānau and mates, and take some time for yourself too. Ngahau! (Enjoy!)

Have a well-deserved mid-semester break!

Read & Write digital literacy tool to support your learning

Reading, writing, comprehension and recall are vital to success, and Read&Write will provide you with key study tools to strengthen these skills.

You can use it with on-screen/digital texts to generate notes from your readings, to research, revise, complete assignments, check spelling, grammar, punctuation, take exams and do much more.

UC Assistive Technology Service is hosting an online webinar. You will get to see a range of digital literacy tools to support your learning. From reading, writing, studying and researching. 

This webinar will provide an introduction to how Read&Write can support with text-to-speech, dictionary and vocabulary tools, study tools, annotation tools and more. As well as helping you with writing via word prediction, voice notes, speech recognition, vocabulary support, research skills and more.

Presenter: Rachel Coathup, Customer Success Manager, TextHelp for Education.

Date: March 5, Tuesday

Time: 1 to 1.30pm

To enrol in the webinar, write to assistech@canterbury.ac.nz

Make a strong start on your studies

Is this your first year of study at UC, or do you want a refresher on how to get the most out of your studies?

The Academic Skills Centre has developed an online module to give you some key information and useful study tips to help you get your semester off to a flying start.

The module explains what lectures, tutorials and labs entail, how you can stay up to date with your course requirements, and how to understand grades and assessment procedures. It also gives you study tips relating to time management, note-taking, reading, and revision.

Finally, the module contains links to a wide range of services from which you can access further academic support.

You can try the Academic Skills Orientation Module here.