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It is important for any student to have a pre-study checklist when starting your academic journey to ensure that you are fully prepared for the new semester. 

A pre-study checklist is a list of important items and tasks that you should complete before starting your semester. 

The purpose of a pre-study checklist is to help you plan, organise your schedule and set academic goals as you go through the semester. 

Here are some things you need preparing for a new semester in Australia:

Set Up Your Study Desk At Home

Setting up your study desk at home is an essential pre-study checklist item to ensure that you have a designated space that is conducive to productivity and concentration. 

Here are some key tips to consider when setting up your study desk:

• Find a quiet, well-lit space: Ideally, your study desk should be in a quiet area free from distractions. Look for a well-lit space with natural light or a good lamp to help prevent eye strain.
• Choose a comfortable chair: Your chair should be comfortable and provide good support for your back. Avoid chairs that are too soft or too hard, as they can cause discomfort and strain.
• Use a desk with enough space: Choose a desk that provides enough space for your computer, textbooks, and other study materials. If you have limited space, consider using a wall-mounted desk or a foldable table.
• Organise your materials: Keep your study materials organised and easily accessible. Use bookshelves, file cabinets, or desktop organisers to keep your textbooks, notes, and stationery in order.
• Minimise distractions: Remove any distractions from your study area, such as your phone or other electronics that are not related to your studies. Consider using noise-cancelling headphones to block out external

Create A Timetable For Studies, Work And Other Activities

Creating a timetable for studies, work, and other activities is an essential step in preparing for a study semester at the university. 

Creating a timetable helps you manage your time effectively, organise tasks and ensure you are making progress steps towards academic and other personal goals. 

Creating a timetable involves understanding your class schedule, work schedule, and other programs such as club activities, social events, and other personal responsibilities.

Buy Your Textbooks (Preferably Used Ones)

Buying used textbooks is a smart option, as they are much cheaper than new textbooks and provide you with the same information needed. 

You can check with your university bookstore or library to find textbooks that are in good condition. 

As a student, you can also consider buying digital versions of textbooks, which can be more affordable and convenient.

Create A Folder In Your Laptop For Each Study Unit

Creating a folder in your laptop for each study unit is a very helpful thing for your studies.

This will be very helpful for you to keep all your course materials and documents in a designated folder and make it available for easy access. 

When creating a folder for each study unit, you should include all relevant materials such as lecture notes, study guides, readings, assignments, and any other important documents related to the course. 

Having designated folders also helps you stay current with allocated assignments and course requirements.

Download Course Materials In The Folders

Many universities make use of online learning management systems for students. 

You need to download and organise these materials in designated folders on your computer or other devices for easy access and reference throughout the semester. 

This includes lecture slides, readings, assignments, and any other course-related documents. 

By downloading and organising course materials in folders, you can stay on top of your coursework, avoid missing deadlines, and better prepare for exams and other assessments. 

You can read more about assignments in Australia for international students here.

Mark The Calendar With Important Dates Like Exams, Assessment Due Dates Etc.

Marking the calendar with important dates like exams, assessment due dates, and other deadlines is essential as this will help you plan your study schedule effectively and avoid missing important deadlines. 

When marking the calendar, you can take advantage of marking out important dates, such as midterm tests, exams, assignments, and project deadlines. 

You can also mark out non-academic events, such as guest lectures, workshops, or field trips. 

This also allows you to allocate enough time for research, writing, and revision, and ensure that you are well-prepared for assessments and exams.

Plan Your Travel To The Institute Or University

Planning your travel to the institute or university is very important before starting a study semester. 

Getting to school on time would help you settle down properly without any rush or stress which can help you start the semester conveniently. 

When planning your travel, it’s essential to consider the following:

• Mode of transportation: Determine whether you will be driving or taking public transportation to your institute or university.
• Distance and time: Estimate the distance from your home to the institute or university, and estimate how long it will take to get there.
• Transportation schedule: Find the schedule for public transportation and ensure you have sufficient time to get to your destination.
• Accommodation: If you will be staying in accommodation near the institute or university, ensure you have booked your room or apartment in advance.

Understand The University Map And Location Of Lecture And Tutorial Rooms

Familiarising yourself with the university’s routes and the locations of classrooms, lecture halls, labs and tutorial rooms will help you get to places faster during the semester. 

By reviewing the university map, you can locate the buildings and facilities you will need, such as the library, cafeteria, and student center. You can also plan your routes to classes and avoid getting lost or arriving late for lectures and tutorials.

Download All The Apps That Might Help You For Your Study And Productivity

In this ever-developing digital age, there are many apps that can help you organise your academic and work life, manage your time, and improve your productivity level. 

There are some apps that would be really helpful for students, like note-recording apps, such as Evernote, Notion or OneNote which allows students to take down notes during lectures and organise them all in a single place.

Time management apps like Trello or Asana can help create to-do lists, prioritise your tasks and set reminders. 

Apps like Forest can help you stay focused and avoid unnecessary sites and other phone application distractions while studying.

You can check all the Free productivity apps for students here.

Start Connecting With Your Classmates Online Through University Forums

Online forums are a great way to communicate with fellow students, discuss coursework, share study materials, and form study groups. 

By connecting with classmates online, you can get to know one another before the semester begins and establish a support network. 

University forums can be accessed through the university’s online platform or social media groups. 

Students can post introductions, ask questions, and participate in discussions. It is a very good opportunity to learn from others and gain insights from different individual perspectives. 

By building relationships early on, you can find potential study partners and develop a sense of community, which can be helpful when preparing for exams or completing group projects.

Have A Bag Ready With All The Stationary, Laptop And Snacks

This is a valuable tip for students who plan to stay out longer for studies, or attend a study group gathering, or study at the library.

Making sure to pack all necessary stationery, food and devices in a bag will definitely help you save time and ensure that you have everything you need.

Some essential items to include in the bag may be pens, highlighters, a notebook, a laptop or tablet, some healthy snacks like fruits, a water bottle, and charging cables.

Having a pre-packed bag will help you avoid the last-minute rush and prevent you from forgetting important items at home. 

Check all the uni essentials you need with a free checklist here.

Make Sure Your Devices Are Fully Charged

Having your devices well charged before setting out is very helpful. With most coursework being done online, students heavily rely on electronic devices to complete assignments, access learning materials and communicate with professors and peers. 

By ensuring that your devices are fully charged, you can avoid interruptions during your study sessions and stay productive without worrying about running out of battery. 

It’s also a good idea to have chargers and power banks readily available in case of emergencies or when studying in locations without easy access to power outlets.

Plan For And Schedule Any Necessary Medical Appointments Before Starting the University

It is crucial to take care of any health concerns before the semester begins so that you can focus on your studies and other activities without being distracted by health matters. 

You can schedule appointments with their doctors, dentists, or other healthcare providers as necessary for medical checkups. 

It is also a great idea to keep copies of your medical records, for example, immunisation records and blood test records, because they might be needed during emergencies or for paperwork. 

Read The Course Syllabus And Understand The Course Objectives, Expectations, And Grading Criteria

Reading the course syllabus and understanding the course objectives, expectations, and grading criteria is an essential pre-study checklist item for a study semester. 

The course syllabus contains essential information about the course of study, the learning outcomes, assignments or projects, and due dates. 

By reviewing the course syllabus, you can understand what is expected of you and plan your study schedule accordingly. 

You can also identify any potential challenges or areas that require more attention, such as difficult assignments or exams. 

Understanding the course objectives is very important as it help you thoroughly understand the scope of what you will be learning through the semester. 

This will help you stay focused and motivated and ensure you are meeting the learning outcomes.

Create A Budget Plan And Explore Other Financial Aid Options

University education can be costly, and students need to clearly understand their financial situation before starting the semester. 

Students should create a budget plan that outlines their income and expenses and helps them track their spending throughout the semester.

You can get a free budget plan template from the Australian Government website, Money Smart.

Learn on how to avoid debt trap as an international student in Australia. 

Determine What On-Campus Or Off-Campus Housing Options Are Available And Make Necessary Arrangements

You should do your research on the available accommodation options in the area, including on-campus dormitories and apartments, as well as off-campus alternatives such as rentals or sharing a room with roommates. 

When making housing arrangements, you should consider budget, location, safety, and proximity to campus. 

On-campus housing may offer convenience, but it can be more expensive than off-campus options. 

Off-campus housing may offer more affordable options, but transportation and safety should also be considered. 

You need to make housing arrangements as early as possible, as popular housing options may fill up quickly. 

Studying in Australia comes with exciting and amazing experiences, and for your smooth journey through school, you are required to plan and prepare well in advance.

To make the most of your study semester in Australia, it is essential to have a pre-study checklist to ensure that you have everything in order before you leave.

We wish you all the best.

Read more about 11 accommodation options in Australia here.

Australia is a popular study destination among female international students with the country offering a range of courses and career opportunities.

In this article, we are going to look at some of the courses for female international students in Australia with a focus on female dominant industries.

But before we get started, here is something very important to keep in mind before reading this article.

While the purpose of this article is to provide ideas on courses based on female-dominated industries, this doesn’t mean that these are the only course options available for females.

Females are welcome to study in male-dominated industries (and so they should) and likewise males are welcome to study these courses.

Our main aim is to highlight the key industries and courses that are popular among women in Australia, so female international students can get a clearer picture of that.

At the end of the day, it is important to choose a course based on your career goals and passion regardless of the gender ratio in the industry.

Now, let’s begin!

Nursing

Australia has one of the finest healthcare system and Registered Nurses in Australia are in high demand in the country.

As a nurse you are work in various fields including hospital, nursing homes, education, clinics, child care etc.

Currently, 89% of the registered nurses are females with average weekly earnings of $1937.

It is one of the fast growing occupation that is expected to grow by 13.9% till 2026.

Some of the popular courses in Nursing for international students include:

• Diploma of Nursing
• Bachelor of Nursing
• Master of Nursing

Want to know how to become a nurse in Australia, check our complete guide here.

Social Work

Social workers is another female dominated industry in Australia with 84% of the workforce being females.

Social workers are usually responsible for helping people in crisis and needing support. The jobs includes counselling, providing information, referrals and other aspects to help people in need.

The average weekly salary of the social workers is $1736 and the future expected growth rate is 23.2%.

The popular courses to become a social worker includes:

• Bachelor of Social Work
• Master of Social Work

We have a detailed guide on how to become a social worker in Australia on the website. You can check it over here.

Accounting

Accounting is a very popular profession in Australia. Females makes up 52% of the workforce in the accounting industry.

Studying an accounting courses in Australia can lead toward a career in finance, banking, taxation and government services.

Accounting offer a stable career with 9.2% growth expected in the profession over the coming year til 2026.

The average weekly salary for the accountants is $1756

Popular courses to become an accountant in Australia includes:

• Diploma of Accounting
• Bachelor of Accounting
• Master of Accounting

Read our complete guide on how to become an accountant in Australia here.

Education

There are multiple opportunities in the education sectors that can lead to rewarding career in the field.

If you are passionate person that helps other to learn and grow, then career in education might be right fit for you.

Particularly speaking careers in Early childhood teaching and secondary school teachers are in high demand in Australia.

Let’s take an example of early childhood teacher, 98% of the workforce is made up of females with average salary of $1667 per week.

The career is also expected to grow strongly by 21.6% in the future.

The popular courses to become early childhood teacher includes:

• Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
• Master of Teaching (Early Childhood)

If you want to become a secondary school teacher, then the course options include:

• Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
• Master of Teaching (Secondary)

Psychologist

Another very popular and female dominant profession in Australia with 80% of the workforce being females.

Psychologist are experts in understanding the human behaviour and they can help people to change the way they thing, behave, react and feel about things.

Studying a course in psychology can lead to various field like clinical psychologist, education social work and research.

The average weekly earning is $2066 with a future growth rate of 13.3%.

Some of the popular courses to become a Psychologist in Australia includes:

• Bachelor or Psychology (Honours)
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Psychology)
• Master of Clinical Psychology

Conclusion

While these are some of the courses that is based on female dominated industries in Australia, we want to emphasise that you should always do further research on other options as well as this is not an exhaustive list.

We hope you find this useful. Please share this article with a female friend who can find this information useful.

Starting a university is an exciting time.

Let alone if you decide to do it in another country.

So in this article, we are going to talk about the things you need to do when you arrive at the university for the first time in Australia as an international student.

Let’s talk about these things!

Attend Orientation

Most universities in Australia organise an orientation session for newcomers. So if you’re newly arriving in Australia, the chances are that you will need to attend this orientation.

Orientation is a great way to understand about your university, the facilities they offers and everything that you need to know about your studies.

They also give you tips about general life in Australia and the things that you need to be mindful of when studying at University.

They will also talk about some support systems they have for the students, so it’s a great way to get to know about your University.

Usually, orientation week is usually quite a fun fair at universities, and they organise some free activities, free food and information sessions. 

So we highly recommend you attend your orientation session at your university.

Get Student ID

Student ID is an official number that identifies you as a student at your university.

Most of the time you need the student ID in order to enroll in your course. The admin team will usually take your photo and issue you with the physical card.

This card will have a unique number that will belong to you only. So make sure to keep that card safe and secure.

Sometimes you get the student card on the same day while other times they might ask you to collect it after few days.

Lots of universities also link services like printing, entry to labs and classes with the student card, so it is critical you get this card and secure it.

In case you lose this card, you could be charged a fee for an additional card issued. 

Enrol Into Units

Once you arrive at the university, you are usually required to finalise their enrolment at the University.

This involves choosing your subjects (also known as units) for the term. However, some universities may not have lots of options for you to choose from, and you may have to enrol into the units you are allocated to.

So you will need to enroll in those units to get started with the university studies.

In case the university advises you that the units are full, then don’t panic. Speak to the administration team, and they will help you enroll in some other units. 

Sign in to Student Portal

Most universities will have an online portal for your studies.

This platform or portal will provide you with information regarding your studies that includes:

• study materials 
• lecture notes 
• Assignments
• dues dates for the tasks
• recording of previous classes
• additional information regarding your studies 

Activate and Check Student Email

Most universities will communicate to you through your student email ID that they will issue you when enrolling into the course.

This email ID will be only used for your communications and other information regarding your University and your studies.

So it’s very important that you access and activate this email as soon as you get access. The information regarding the sign-up for student email will usually be sent to your personal email for the first time.

Then you need to activate that student email and change the password after logging in.

Make sure to keep checking that email regularly so that you are on top of the things you need to do for your studies. 

Select Your Timetable

Once you have selected the units you want to enroll in, you will also need to select your timetable.

There might be multiple options available with regard to your lectures and tutorials. So you’ll have to choose the time frame that suits your work and life the most.

We suggest you choose your timetable nice and early as a lot of times your preferred options might not be available if you are too late.

So it’s better to choose timetable quickly as soon as university allows doing so.

Lots of students who are already studying in university usually know about that, so there is a bit of competition in choosing your timetable.

Buy Textbooks

Textbooks can be an expensive affair at times in Australia.

Buying a text book can cost you anywhere from $50 to $150 for each book.

And in each term, you are required to study around 3 to 4 units. So, if you do the match, it means you can be spending anywhere from $150 to $450. (That’s a fair bit of money).

We suggest you that if you have an option to borrow the books from the library that’s great but a lot of times those books may not be available or already booked out.

So you may look up on websites like Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace or sometimes there are university websites that allow you to buy second-hand books from other students who have already completed their studies. 

Join Student Bodies and Associations

Large universities tend to have many student bodies and student associations.

These student bodies and unions usually create a lot of fun activities during the year for the students.

Sometimes that includes discounts around your local areas for students. 

You can also join these student bodies for some extra activities and some other events that you can attend, and you can even volunteer at some of these events with these unions and bodies.

It helps to build your resume and skills needed for jobs in Australia. A great plus. 

Most of these student bodies are free to join, so our question is Why Not?

Know Your Support Channels

You can ask your University administration teams regarding what sort of support systems are available for the students.

Universities in Australia understand that it can be challenging for new international students arriving in Australia for the first time.So they provide support services for the students including: 

• support with your assignments
• your studies in general or 
• finding an accommodation 
• your rights as a tenant in Australia
• finding a job in Australia 
• preparing your resume and cover letter
• preparing for the interview
• health and wellbeing
• and many other aspects of life

So there are many things that you will be doing when you arrive at the university.

Sometimes you can fit all of these things in one day and at other times it could be done over multiple days. 

Please note that the sequence of these activities may vary depending upon the university and the systems they have available.

Some of the things mentioned here may be done in a different order or sequence, but when you arrive at the university in Australia for the first time, most likely you will go through with all these things.

We would like to wish you all the best with your studies here in Australia.