La Trobe’s Bendigo campus was transformed into a market place Tuesday as the university welcomed a new crop of first year students.
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The Market Day came university launched its 2017 Orientation Week.
Head of campus Rob Stephenson said O-Week was a chance for students to get to know the campus, their lecturers and each other.
After the official launch by deputy Mayor Rod Fyffe students descended on the university’s soccer pitch to browse a record 100 stalls showcasing local activities, sporting clubs and community groups.
Those included activities and services run by student clubs aimed at enriching student life, with event coordinator Melinda Keighran saying most courses had clubs and societies which helped foster a sense of community.
Over three days the university planned to hold campus tours and information sessions in the hopes of easing new students into the next stage of their lives.
“O-Week is very important, especially for first-year students,” Mr Stephenson said.
“It ensures they’re equipped for a positive start to their university studies and connects them to the support staff and academics who will influence their years ahead.”
“We haves students moving to Bendigo from overseas, from Melbourne, and many rural and regional areas of Victoria and New South Wales,” he said.
“We want them to know the university is a proud part of the community, which has many flow-on benefits to their education.”
New outdoor education student Celia Grigg had moved to Bendigo from Melbourne.
“This is my second day of uni,” she said.
“There’s so many stalls here showing all the things you can do in Bendigo. And there’s so many freebies as well,” she said.
Ms Grigg had just jumped off a segway after taking part in free trials held behind Market Day stalls.
She said she loved the campus atmosphere and was making a lot of friends.
Activities continued into the night with the Bendigo Student Association organising a glow party featuring artists Will Sparks, TJR, Saso Pink and Rossco.
A “grub tour” of local eateries was also planned for Tuesday night.
Places still open
Mr Stephenson said although there was just one week until classes started, it wasn’t too late to enrol for 2017.
“Direct offers close on February 26, so we encourage anyone thinking about starting university this semester to come onto campus and talk about their options.”
While many courses were at capacity, others such as education, creative arts and speech pathology were still accepting students.