Auckland University Of Technology Orientation

Orientation is an exciting day on campus and a great start to your student journey. It will help prepare you for life and study at AUT and make sure you’re ready when classes start.

On the day you’ll meet with fellow students studying your qualification, get to terms with campus layout, learn all about the support options available to help you succeed and get connected to the free AUT wifi.

It’s a day not to be missed, but if you really can’t get to our on-campus orientation event, this information contains what you need to know to help get you started at AUT too.

Orientation date and event schedule

Orientation for new students in Semester 2, 2020 is Thursday 16 July.

City and North Campus event schedule [PDF, 1.5 MB]
South Campus event schedule [PDF, 1.8 MB]

Find your timetable

You can find your study timetable on:

Student Hub Online
Arion
official AUT App

If you need to make changes to your timetable, talk to your programme administrator.

How does Orientation prepare students for university life?

Starting university can be both exciting and nerve-wracking for new students. What if they don’t know anyone? What will classes be like? Where do they need to go on the first day? Read on to learn how Orientation can help your teen feel ready for university, and why it’s so important they attend.

What is Orientation?

At AUT, there are two parts to Orientation for new students: Orientation and O-Week.

Taking place in the week before semester starts, Orientation is run by AUT and helps new students get to know the university environment, understand what to expect and perhaps even make friends before classes start.

There are Orientation sessions at each AUT campus, and most new students only need to attend one day, unless they’re enrolled in a conjoint programme or have classes at more than one campus. Throughout the day they meet other new students, and attend sessions that cover what to expect in their chosen programme, and plenty of tips to help them succeed at university.

Usually run a week later, in the first week of semester, O-Week is the social side of Orientation, featuring a line-up of events and activities run by the Auckland University of Technology Student Association (AUTSA).

O-Week is designed to create a warm and inviting environment to start the semester off, and gives students the chance to find out more about the many clubs, events and other opportunities available on campus. Throughout the week, students meet a lot of people they will go through university with, make new memories and learn how AUTSA represent students’ interests within the university.

_{Orientation is full of opportunities to get to know the campus and other new students}

What to expect at Orientation and O-Week?

Throughout Orientation there are lots of events and activities, including:

Programme sessions – a chance to meet lecturers and classmates, and find out what to expect in your programme
AUT101 & 102 – an interactive session full of university tips every AUT student should know
Study Success session – a lecture style workshop that covers the secrets to university success, including academic writing and how to reference correctly
My Orientation tour – covers the most important area of the university campus, including study spaces, computer labs, student services, and places to eat and relax
Auckland City Tour – a tour of Auckland City for those new to Auckland
IT Sorted session – covers IT essentials for new students, including where to find your timetable and where lecturers post notes and resources
Sessions specifically for international students, Māori students and rainbow students
Clubs Days – an introduction to student clubs on campus; from paintball to anime, and astronomy to drama clubs, as well as clubs for students from different cultural or religious backgrounds
Chill spaces where students can reflect and relax
A fun zone where students can play pop-up sports, carnival games, giant games and receive free food at Campus Kai
A wide range of events like quiz nights, bingo and a block party at the AUT City Campus

Top reasons to attend Orientation

With so many new things to take in when university starts, Orientation is a day not to be missed and we encourage all new students to take part in Orientation to make sure they feel ready when classes start.

Below are some reasons to encourage your teen to go to Orientation.

Students who attend Orientation:

Feel more prepared when university starts
Get better grades
Are more connected with other students and with the university
Meet their lecturers and classmates before classes start
Understand what academic skills will be expected of them
Know their campus and where their classes are
Discover what student services are available and where to get support if they need it

Before Orientation even begins, we email all new students more information about the day and encourage them to download the AUT Student App, which helps them schedule the activities they want to attend, and make the most of Orientation and their time at AUT.

Student ambassadors – a friendly face to calm the nerves

_{Each student ambassador is a senior student who looks after 10 to 15 new students at Orientation and throughout the year}

There’s nothing better than hearing from others who have been on the same journey. That’s why student ambassadors are a key part of Orientation; giving new students a chance to talk to senior students and ask them anything, from study tips and great places to eat, to where to go if they need support.

Because student ambassadors are AUT students themselves, they still remember how they felt in their very first days at university. They have been there; the first-day nerves, the fear of not knowing anyone, and the joy when things were starting to make sense and feel familiar.

At Orientation, each student ambassador is assigned a group of 10 to 15 first-year students and will guide them throughout the day. New students receive information about the different student ambassadors before Orientation, and can choose a student ambassador who is studying the same programme or has a similar background or interests