Classes and Activities

There are different class types when you attend university. These can include lectures, tutorials, workshops or practicals.

Lecture	May have up to 400+ students in attendance Held in large lecture theatres Often recorded online and can be accessed remotely by students.
Practical	30-60 students Often run by demonstrators and lecturers Applies theory learnt in lectures Often run in laboratories Many science-based subjects offer practicals
Tutorial	20-30 students Run by tutors, or course coordinator Promotes discussion of topics in small groups
Lectorial	A lecture and tutorial combined Often lengthy, interspersed by group tutorial activities
Seminar	Classes involving both lecture content and group discussion
Workshop	May be a combination of lecture, group discussion, and practical tasks
Placement	Practical work experience tailored to specific degrees Learning real life skills for the workforce

Sources: What are the different types of classes (opens in a new window) and Different types of classes (opens in a new window)

Online Learning

The ability to learn online is becoming more common in our present time. More and more lectures, tutorials, meetings and learning materials can all be accessed online.

Online Meetings

Tutorials and other class discussions can be accessed via a wide range of online video chat programs. Universities will use different video chat programs for their online classes. Examples of these programs include:

Zoom (opens in a new window)
Blackboard Collaborate (opens in a new window)
MS Teams (opens in a new window)
Echo 360 (opens in a new window)
Webex (opens in a new window)

Student Online Platforms

Each university will have a specific online platform to access information including:

Unit course outlines
Information about assessment tasks
Study resources
Announcements related to courses

Students will gain access to this online information with their own personal student identification. Contacting university student centres can help you to set up and navigate student online platforms.

Orientation Week

At the start of each university semester there is a week of orientation which aims to link students with university services, initiatives and events.

Check out your university website, bulletin boards on campus or go to open days and university fairs to link with specific social activities on your campus.

Orientation is a great way to get to know what the university has to offer.

Social, Recreational and Cultural Activities

Many universities have a hub where students can join social clubs.

If you have a disability you may be able to use NDIS funding to support your participation in these activities. Discuss this with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or planner.

There are a wide variety of clubs to choose ranging from:

Faith-based
Sporting
Education based
Social themed
Drama/ Dance
Political
Parenting
LGBTQI+
Alumni

Cultural

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander - Most universities and other higher education providers will have culturally appropriate support and services for people of Aboriginal and/or of Torres Strait Islander descent, as well as specific initiatives that are designed to provide pathways into, and successful completion of university. Check your university website for more information.

International/Multicultural - Most universities have groups which offer events and activities, so people from different multicultural backgrounds can share their culture and languages with other students.

Prepare for University

Career Planning

University Pathways

About

This site has been developed as a collaboration between Western Sydney University and the National Disability Coordination Officer (NDCO) Program to assist recent graduates to navigate the journey from tertiary study to employment. NDCOs work to reduce systemic barriers, facilitate smooth transitions, build links and coordinate services between the education, training and employment sectors. Find out more about the NDCO Program.