Orientation

The New to SCU Module is your first stop for all things Orientation at SCU. It's a comprehensive online, self-paced module that steps you through everything you need to know for your studies. Whether it’s your essential admin tasks, attending your course information session, or learning about the technology you’ll be using and support services available to you, New to SCU covers it all. You can log in to the New to SCU Module via your Blackboard learning site.

While the Orientation program tries to schedule workshops in and out of work hours, we know that not every time will suit everyone! If you're unable to make it to a live workshop, a recording will often be made available in the coming days. You can access these on the New to SCU Module. 

If you're unable to make it to an on-campus Orientation, we offer an evening Online Orientation which will cover the essential information from the day. 

Please note that if you are an International student, you may have attendance requirements that mean you need to attend on-campus Orientation. 

Registration confirmation will come through to the email you used when you registered, sent from Southern Cross University. Sometimes this may be delayed, or might go to your junk email.

The most common reason students don't receive a confirmation is due to having the incorrect email address in the form. For example, using a comma (,) instead of a full stop (.), mistyping a word, or not following the SCU student email address format correctly. 

Please note that if you are using your SCU student email address, it will typically follow the below format:

firstinitial.lastname.number@student.scu.edu.au for example j.smith.10@student.scu.edu.au . 

If you have left out any of this email address, including full stops, the number, or "student", your email confirmation will not come through. 

Southern Cross Uni is based across two time zones during daylight saving time. All on campus sessions are in local time (i.e. Lismore and Coffs Harbour operate on NSW time, and Gold Coast operates on QLD time).

Online sessions are scheduled at NSW time, even for people based outside of NSW. This applies to any workshops you need to complete as part of your units too. 

When you first start at university, there can be some terms which may be unfamiliar, or may have a different meaning to what they normally would outside of university. Some universities will use the same words but they will have different meanings. 

The glossary of terms is a great place to start. 

If you're attending an on campus Orientation day, please ensure you register your attendance beforehand for organisational purposes.

On the day, wear comfortable clothes, including shoes you can comfortably walk in. Some campus tours may include labs which require enclosed shoes.

You may also find it helpful to bring a bag (such as a tote bag), a notebook and a pen, as well as a water bottle. Don't forget to bring a smile; remember, there are lots of other new students who are also excited and nervous about their first day too. 

Students and staff must display a parking permit with a valid expiry date when attending the Lismore or Gold Coast Campuses, you can get your permit during Orientation using the instructions below. Coffs Harbour students do not require a permit but are required to use the designated parking areas.

To be issued a parking permit, please visit the Parking Permit Program for more information.

You can apply online through MyEnrolment by clicking on the Forms tile, then selecting the Student ID - Request Form. Alternatively, you can select the My Details tile, select the Forms tab, then select the Student ID Card - Request Form. 

For more information, visit the Student ID Cards page.

You can watch your session recordings in the New to SCU Module. 

Course Information Sessions can be found under the 'Faculty Information' page.

Orientation workshops can be found under the 'Orientation workshops' page.

Instructions are provided on the Accept your offer and enrol pages. If you require assistance, you can contact Student Services and they will be happy to answer any questions and help you through the process.

All rooms are listed like this M.G.13, if we break that down it reads like this: M=Block/Building G=Building Level (lower ground, ground, 1, 2 etc) and the last number refers to the door number. For more information, visit the campuses page or the Timetables page.

Check out Orientation Social Activities for connection opportunities like the New to SCU Facebook group and Student Association events and activities. You can also find out about upcoming events on What's On and check out UniLife for sport, health and wellbeing activities. Each unit on your MySCU (Blackboard) will also have a discussion board where you can interact with your fellow classmates.

SCU has a wide range of support services to support you on your study journey. Check out the "Support services" tab in the New to SCU Module to see the full range of support, or visit the Services and Support page. You can also enjoy student membership rates at the Coffs Harbour and Lismore campus Fitness Centres and join health and wellbeing activities by UniLife and the Student Associations.

If you are under the age of 18 years, an international student advisor will contact you before you commence and arrange your orientation to ensure you have the information you need about your academic progress, support services available to you, and ways to keep yourself safe and manage an emergency. 

If you are not accompanied by a parent or guardian, this student advisor will meet with you every fortnight until your 18th birthday to assist you to manage your studies and welfare.

Missed your Orientation or feeling lost? Contact the International Student Support team:
Email: ioadviser-gc@scu.edu.au or Phone +61 26620 3876  / Afterhours: 1300 782 676 or text 0477 751 363

See more at your International student support website.