Pride, Power and People

Well, week eight of semester is here. Hello assignments, hello exam revision, hello stress. Yes, everyone feels it at this stage in the semester. That feeling that you will never hurdle over the pile of assignments sitting in front of you. That feeling that no matter how many hours of revision is spent on a subject, the pages of notes will never suffice that required to pass…let alone do well. That feeling that the mid-semester break is just a few too many weeks away to aid in reducing current anxiety levels (hurry up holidays!!). I am sure that these thoughts are running through the minds of all students, well, they are certainly running through mine.

During one night of intense studying and research earlier this week, I stumbled completely by accident across Facebook…namely the USQ Facebook page. I found this hilarious suggestion at what studying really involves (ironic)…and  it definitely brightened my night! Clearly this graph is not accurate, as there is no section in this graph depicting the time spent thinking about studying. Nevertheless, I had to include this in my blog.

While I was looking at the USQ Facebook page (for research purposes – studying social media in a marketing degree is totally acceptable), it came to my attention that I could register to get a FREE USQ PHOENIX SHIRT!! (OMG free stuff, this requires further investigation). I followed the link to the website www.usq.edu.au/phoenix, and little did I know that this website wasn’t just about getting a free shirt, it was a lot more exciting than that…

The first thing I noticed when I opened the link was the banner at the top of the page stating “91.3% of our students go on to full-time employment or further study”. This statement shocked me! It made me realise that by choosing to study at USQ, I was placing myself in a very good position to actually get employed in my field of study. After all, isn’t that why we are all at uni in the first place? To get a good job, to get a better job, or to get a new job? It seemed like USQ was pretty good at ensuring their students are able to do all three.

After having a look through the various Phoenix web pages, I stumbled across some videos -  www.usq.edu.au/phoenix/videos – and particularly the TV Commercial (which I actually saw on TV the night after finding it on the webpage). I thought this was such a lovely TV commercial because it really shows what USQ is all about…empowering its students. Students go to USQ to become empowered with knowledge, with community, with guidance and with a career outcome. And I believe USQ exceeds at doing this. Well, if so many students are being employed in the workforce they have to be doing something right!

But back to the free shirt….all I had to do was register a few details and they will post my shirt out to me! It couldn’t be any easier J I also got to join the Facebook fans eagerly awaiting the arrival of their shirt! I will wear this phoenix T-shirt with pride, knowing that I am studying at a tertiary institution that is proud to have me as a student. I will proudly study at USQ, proudly graduate from USQ, and very proudly join the 91.3% of students who have achieved their dreams because of USQ. Bring on my shirt!

As I continued to study social media for academic purposes (aka surf Facebook) I found an event page of Phoenix Day – next Wednesday 12^th September 2012. Phoenix Day, what the? Upon further reading I discover Phoenix Day is a celebration of pride within the university… for all of the staff and students…at all three campuses! There is going to be music, free food and activities for everyone. What an awesome way for USQ to kick of this feeling of pride, with a big celebration

Well, talk about a good study session. My notebook is full! My first note: PRIDE – 91.3% of USQ students go on to full-time employment or further study. Lecturers always love a few good statistics. My second point: POWER – as a USQ student I am full of power, knowledge, diligence, a sense of community…and more importantly….a wonderful starting point for my career. My last important note: PEOPLE – at Phoenix Day, USQ is bringing together people to celebrate our university.

PRIDE, POWER AND PEOPLE – I couldn’t ask for anything more.

I would like to finish my blog by thanking all of the devoted blog fans who follow the USQ students on their journey. We appreciate your support and we love to share Our USQ Story with you.

Welcome to Springfield

Welcome to Springfield campus! My name is Jordan and today I’ll be taking you on a tour of all the amazing things which happen at USQ Springfield.

Before we embark on today’s tour, I’ll begin with a little about myself. I have been a student of Springfield campus since first commencing my double-degree program (Bachelor of Business & Bachelor of Laws) in March 2010 – a keen 17 year old straight out of high school and excited for the experiences of university. Fast forward to today, I am currently in my third year of study and have had the marvellous opportunity of being involved in and experiencing the on-campus life at Springfield.

As a student of Springfield campus, I am one of approximately 1700 individuals studying hard toward completing tertiary studies. Whilst I have studied by external mode for a few of my business courses, I find the on-campus mode of study essential to the university experience – encompassing a study/social balance of the time spent at university. As a resident of the Greater Springfield region, USQ is my local university. This makes transport to the campus stress-free – only 5 minutes’ drive from home to the campus (no excuses to be late for class). In addition to the fantastic facilities available at Springfield campus, the things I love most about being a student of USQ include the abundance of student support services available and all the extra-curricular activities and events on offer to students.

Wednesdays at Springfield are always full of activity and excitement. Common hour happens every Wednesday between 12-2pm is a chance for hard working students (like me) to take a break and enjoy the fun social activities run by the campus.  Key highlights for this year include the Sumo and Sushi event, the multi-cultural celebration ‘Harmony day’ and (my personal favourite) on-going Interfaculty challenges. Much like the competition between the four houses of Hogwarts in Harry Potter, interfaculty challenges see students grouped together based on their area of study and face-off in competitions against their rival faculties. These interfaculty challenges can get quite intense (as pictured below).

In addition to the abundance of events and activities, Springfield campus offers a number of clubs, societies and sporting groups for students to join. In the late half of 2010, I signed up to the university’s Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) group. SIFE is an extra-curricular association in many universities worldwide, bearing the motto a head for business, a heart for the world. The group’s focus is to apply concepts and theories learned through our studies by instituting and implementing community based projects, all with the intention on giving back to the community. In 2010 and 2012 I was given the opportunity to travel to Melbourne to represent the USQ SIFE team at the national conference, competing against 24 other universities Australia-wide.

One saying I carried throughout my high school days, into my studies at university is, ‘when opportunity knocks, answer the door.’ With this in mind I encourage all students to get involved and take on all the wondrous opportunities on offer to them throughout their studies.

With all this extra-curricular fun, it is important to also find balance between studies and social life.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, there is study to be done.

More adventures to be continued…..

Pre-semester-lack-of-motivation-for-study-itis

Welcome!! 

Well, this is the first ever USQ blog…being written by the first ever USQ blogger. It also happens to be the first ever blog this blogger has ever written! My name is Amanda Smythe, and I am a student at USQ Toowoomba. I am a first year business student…. and a part-time waitress…and also, now, a blogger (my resume is looking good).

A new semester is dawning and it’s time to start buying new textbooks, collecting miscellaneous pens and waking up before 11am again – all things which had been lost and forgotten since the end of Semester 1. Coming up with the enthusiasm to do such tasks, however, is pretty hard. I have found my only bit of hope in the realisation that my textbooks stacked together would be an excellent footrest (and/or small table for resting drinks) and therefore will get me through another four courses of study this coming semester in comfort. I think I am not alone in experiencing pre-semester-lack-of-motivation-for-study-itis. In fact, I think it may be a common symptom of the holidays. I have pondered on this new concept, and decided that there is surely a cure for the terrible disease which seems to have infected students across the nation.

CURE = ISOLATION, QUARANTINE AND CHOCOLATE.

After testing aforementioned cure, I have concluded that the suggested regime to cure pre-semester-lack-of-motivation-for-study-itis does definitely not efficiently cure the disease. However, further testing may be required.

After failing to gain motivation during the quarantine and chocolate-eating process, I turned to other methods. I decided to go on-campus during Orientation Week in order to find some inspiration.

The first thing I saw was this sign. A clear indication from USQ that they are happy to see their students again!!! Yes, this little sign brought bright, yellow sunshine to my day (ps. it also happened to be raining this day). I continued my adventure through the campus buildings, only to find more inspiration….

Ohh how much the sight and smell of coffee in The Hub Café reminded me of studying in the USQ Hub. It has helped me through so many hours of assignments, so many lectures and tutorials, and so many days of not feeling like doing either. Once again, my motivation was rising and I started looking forward to those days again. I ventured into the Hub Café (possibly with the intention of purchasing coffee), and the building was buzzing with Orientation Week excitement!! There was live music (see below picture) and friendly faces at an information booth (see the picture below the below picture) – all bubbling with happiness and bright coloured hair. To me, a student diagnosed with pre-semester-lack-of-motivation-for-study-itis, this was very strange for me. Perhaps it was….USQ fever…

The final stop upon my journey was a group called ‘Community Building’ (see picture below). Until my journey this morning, I never even knew this group existed. However, as the brightly decorated sign caught my attention in the middle of The Hub, I had to find out more. I am so glad I did. This small voluntary group meets with people within the USQ community to make them feel more welcome, especially those with international backgrounds. One member said they aim to engage these fellow USQ students in “meaningful conversations to build the sense of community”. WOW!! If this group wasn’t enough to motivate me to return to my USQ Community and get stuck into my textbooks…then nothing would!!

So as I write this blog, and count down the days until classes begin, I can safely say that I am ready – and even excited – to begin study again. Have I now caught the ‘USQ fever’??…it’s possible. But most importantly I hope that I have shared with you a little bit of inspiration to cure you from a case of pre-semester-lack-of-motivation-for-study-itis.

Lastly, I would like to thank you for being part of the first blog, by the first blogger, of USQ. I would love for everyone to read, share, like, comment, re-blog, print, re-read, post the link, save the page…whatever you have to do to let everyone know about USQ’s new blog. Most importantly, I would love to hear…what you want to hear. Comment and let us know what you would like our bloggers to talk about!! We are all students, just like you. We are all at USQ, just like you. And together, WE ARE THE USQ COMMUNITY. Help us make it great.