Roll Call (1 Viewer)

[black.vw.beetle]

Who wants to major in Astronomy at ANU?

I'm pretty sure that I'll get into ANU next year to do a BSci..and major in astronomy/astrophysics. They've got a great program there.
SO.... whos with me????

 

[rumour]

Yeah!!What can I say? ANU Rocks!! I'm doing Psych and science...not sure what to major in in science yet, but, hey! I'll work it out!!

Isn't your major Psych?

 

[black.vw.beetle]

I'm not Alex_H86 !!!!!!

 

[rumour]

Yes I figured as much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[black.vw.beetle]

ummm...

No, I'm not going to, and never have considered, majoring in psychology...

 

[Alex_H86]

Isn't your major Psych?

No, I'm doing a double degree- thus I still have to figure out what to major in in in in in science.lol.

 

[mayhemily]

You nunnery gals are krazy kats. But you got schmiketty schmo and thats why I likes you!

 

[Alex_H86]

You nunnery gals are krazy kats. But you got schmiketty schmo and thats why I likes you!

oh yeah...what you say????we get all in on that schfifty five action....

 

[lulu2]

any one do asian studies? i wanna do arts/asian but i dunno about the cultural study bit or whaterer it is, i just wanna study jap. also is psych considered a science or an art?

 

[loquasagacious]

Psych is science.

You could do straight arts and still have Jap as a major, I don't think you could fit both jap and pysch into an arts degree though and if you did arts/science you couldn't do psych.

 

[lulu2]

so really there no way i could major in psych and jap?

 

[loquasagacious]

Umm you couldn't do it under a straight arts degree because of first year course limitations.

However you could do B. Asian Studies (specialist or regular) / B. Science and major in both Japanese and Psychology with potentially room for two more majors (if you wanted to jam them in).

In Asian studies unless you wanted to do a second language you would do a cognitive major eg Asian History, Religions, Literature, Politics and IR, Contemporary Asian Societies or Security Studies.

In Science you could choose from: Astonomy and astrophysics, botony, Cell and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Computational Modelling, Computer Science, Ecology and Evolution, Earth and Environmental Systems, Environmental modelling, Forest science, genetics, Geochemistry and Mineral Resources, Geography, Human ecology, mathematics, mathematical finance, mathematics and statistics, paleoenvironments and marine geoscience, physics, quantitative biology and bioinformatics, science communication, statistics, sustainability science, theoretical physics or zoology.

As some notes though: Both a language and cognitive major is required for the asian studies aspect of the combined degree and you may not be able to take some of the science majors because they have to many out of faculty units in them. And finally a warning both asian studies and science alone have intense workloads the combined degree would be a very full on degree furthermore it will take a while. A minimum of four years for regular and five for the specialist degree.

 

[lulu2]

yes, so i figured- i found the handbook, thanks for the advice

 

[chappedecl]

Hahah, I am going to the ANU. I have no idea what I would like to study..however my main focus is English seeing as though I do a double major. Oh, and also drama like subjects.

My brother goes to the ANU and he says it is excellent! One of the best in Australia so I have heard?

(Yay for my first post on here!)

 

[Schmeag]

Not sure about the board's policy on threadomancy, mainly because I didn't see a Rules thread or Rules section. So if there is one, take pity on me. Anyway, I was hoping to get into ANU, but it's one of a few universities that I'm looking at. If I go to ANU, I'll be looking at an Asian Studies/Law or Arts/Law degree. Of course, I'm prepared for the scenario of 95 or less and if I this does come to pass, I may either do Medicine, if my UMAT results are stunning (haven't found my results yet, but I try to be pessimistic), Arts, Psychology, and even IT if I must. Generally speaking, however, if I get lower than a 95, I'll most likely not see the worth of travelling interstate. However, ANU is definitely my first choice, both for its reputation in general and its specific reputation in International Relations, Asian Studies and even Law to a certain extent. I'm probably going to go for John XXIII (sorry, I forget the number), followed by Ursula in terms of accomodation preferences, followed by Burghmann (though they only choose people who put them as 1st pref), then Bruce Hall. I've heard about the nerdy reputation of Ursula, and on Open Day our tour guide certainly lived up to that reputation. I find him likeable nonetheless, just as I found the guides at John (insert number) a little light and maybe even a tad arrogant (that's not saying that I can be like them as well, though ). Personally, I don't view myself as having much of a social life as of the moment, but I can be adaptable. VCE killed off any mediocre social life I may have had before, anyway.

 

[Evilo]

Not sure about the board's policy on threadomancy, mainly because I didn't see a Rules thread or Rules section. So if there is one, take pity on me. Anyway, I was hoping to get into ANU, but it's one of a few universities that I'm looking at. If I go to ANU, I'll be looking at an Asian Studies/Law or Arts/Law degree. Of course, I'm prepared for the scenario of 95 or less and if I this does come to pass, I may either do Medicine, if my UMAT results are stunning (haven't found my results yet, but I try to be pessimistic), Arts, Psychology, and even IT if I must. Generally speaking, however, if I get lower than a 95, I'll most likely not see the worth of travelling interstate. However, ANU is definitely my first choice, both for its reputation in general and its specific reputation in International Relations, Asian Studies and even Law to a certain extent. I'm probably going to go for John XXIII (sorry, I forget the number), followed by Ursula in terms of accomodation preferences, followed by Burghmann (though they only choose people who put them as 1st pref), then Bruce Hall. I've heard about the nerdy reputation of Ursula, and on Open Day our tour guide certainly lived up to that reputation. I find him likeable nonetheless, just as I found the guides at John (insert number) a little light and maybe even a tad arrogant (that's not saying that I can be like them as well, though ). Personally, I don't view myself as having much of a social life as of the moment, but I can be adaptable. VCE killed off any mediocre social life I may have had before, anyway.

Hey there
First things first - ANU offers uniTEST (if you dont get in first time) where you can get into the course with a lower UAI if you do well in the test.
Secondly -do something you are atcually interested in - don't do medicine/law/psyc etc just because of the social status/popularity or percieved image that the subject gives. You'll end up falling on your ass - just as we've seen here. Choose courses you think you actually enjoy or have an interest in.

if I get lower than a 95, I'll most likely not see the worth of travelling interstate

It's definately worth moving away from home - the independence and fun i have had here has probably been the best move i've ever made in my life. It's been a great decision. Yes you're right - ANU is a great uni (not talking myself up )
John XXIII (you got it right) is also awesome. lol
I suppose we would have acted a bit arrogant on the day, but thats just one persons personality - but overall ive enjoyed my time here (ill be staying here next year). You're right about the Ursula reputation, but if you're willing to accept that then go for whatever makes you happy. I didnt think much of burgman (especially their rooms) and rate it lower than Johns, Ursula, and Bruce.

I don't view myself as having much of a social life as of the moment, but I can be adaptable.

I didn't consider myself a very social person to start - but you will fit right in - just be open to new experiences

Have a good one mate and pm me with any questions if need be.
Regards EvilO

 

[Schmeag]

Ack! I was going to PM you, but this exceeded 5000 characters. So here it is, then.

Hey, Evilo, thanks a lot for the answers. I've been told that I shouldn't go for the most prestigious or most popular courses, but I think that I'm going for them because I actually enjoy them. The thing is, I don't do Legal Studies in VCE and the closest subject I have done that incorporates some form of law is Monash Uni Australian History (where we studied a little bit of the Australian Constitution). However, I've done Biology and am in the process of doing Chemistry; I can tell you that I enjoy both--especially when they are combined. You are certainly right, however, that I am doing Law/Med in part because it is prestigious. But I still like them.

The main problem rests in the fact that I don't really have a preference of what I want to do. I've tried scrounging around for information on these jobs, but I haven't come up with much information to turn me away from them. I've tried taking personality tests to determine the so-called 'best jobs for me' (as stupid as that may sound); I've asked friends and workers; I've asked people at ANU. But ironically, the more I ask (or take, in the case of so-called 'personality tests'), the more degrees I want to do.

Here are the reasons why I might enjoy Law:
- I like expressing myself in varied ways.
- I like debating.
- I like writing essays.
- I like reading anything. As long as it's in my hands, it's just too easy for me to read.
- I like quoting and referencing. (I can weave stories, but I have a lot of trouble writing them under pressure, but quoting and referencing is a breeze.)

Here are the reasons why I might enjoy Medicine:
- I like examining the multi-faceted layers of the body (ie systems, organs, tissues, cells)
- I enjoy learning about the processes that occur in the body.
- I enjoyed Genetics (which was a subset of Biology 3/4).
- I enjoyed learning about carbohydrates, lipids and proteins and their effect on the body. (ie Dietary Nutrition)
- I am interested in the effect of Psychology on the body.

I realise that they are taxing in terms of workload, but I'm prepared for that--as long as I like them, I'll be fine. I just need to figure out whether I do like them. I have to go now, but I also enjoy Philosophy (debating morals, ethics, definitions...etc.), Psychology (understanding personalities and the effect of the mind on the body), History (quoting historians and formulating new contentions) and IT (games and programming.

I talked to my uncle just then (he's registered as a lawyer and is almost registered as a GP) and he raised some points that further sucked me into Law, but not so much Medicine. After talking to him, the case studies in Law seem to be highly interesting to read, and case studies are (apart from legislation) one of the key aspects of practicing law. Not only do I like quoting and referencing, but I also enjoy reading articles which--like Philosophy--use different, but still valid, methods of reasoning to achieve a completely different conclusion. Ultimately, I'd have to say that I enjoy analysing and using the different approaches/interpretations of anything, whether it be history or law.

With Medicine, the case studies there are completely different, but slightly less engaging; instead, they seem to follow a patient's condition from diagnosis to final treatment. I could see myself being interested in that field, but not as enthusiastic as I am to do Law. Ultimately, that is why I have been putting Law before Medicine in all my preferences.

Still, even if I decide to do Law at ANU, I have to choose from Psychology/Law, Arts/Law, maybe Asian Studies/Law, or maybe IT/Law. I originally did not want to do Commerce/Law, but I've been told that, unlike Arts/Law, it allows you to take up two professions (business or law) instead of one (law with an arts background). Not sure whether I want to do it, though. I'm trying to be both pragmatic and go with what I like. The only problem is that I don't definitively know what I like, so I tend to verve towards a more pragmatic approach. For example, the reason why I didn't want to do Commerce was that I liked it--but not enough. It's all relative.

It's definately worth moving away from home - the independence and fun i have had here has probably been the best move i've ever made in my life. It's been a great decision.

True, but it will be harder to justify it to my parents when I'm moving out for a measly 75 UAI (Arts). Ultimately, if I move out, I will be leaving friends and family behind; there'll be a lot of money used to fund accommodation; the actual social life in Canberra (off-campus) will be reduced to some extent. One of my prime decisions to move to Canberra would be for independence, but I have to weight to benefits and downfalls against each other. If ANU is the only decent university that I can get into for Law, then that just makes deciding so much easier. If not, then I'll have to consider other options.

I suppose we would have acted a bit arrogant on the day, but thats just one persons personality

Nah, it was two, lol. Though, what are the parties like? Do you stay up until two in the morning with excessive amounts of alcohol, blaring music, and disco lights? How crazy does it get? (The crazier, the better, I've found ) How do you find time to study? Do the negative social aspects (and yes, I've found that there are some) impact heavily on your work? What is there to do?

Still, for some reason, my social life just started booming these September holidays. It's completely unnerving, especially since my exams are almost on me. I gotta concentrate!

Thanks for taking the time to read through my long posts and answer my queries.

Schmeag

 

[Evilo]

You are certainly right, however, that I am doing Law/Med in part because it is prestigious. But I still like them.

That’s cool, just I see people here doing law for solely prestige (and forceful parents) and they just don’t go as far. They just don’t have that interest. If your confident it’s on interest as well then that’s cool .

The main problem rests in the fact that I don't really have a preference of what I want to do.

I was quite lucky in that respect. My career pathways are quite limited and its what i’ve been interested in. But even then i was still *extremely* nervous about the course i chose in university. At the end of the day trust your gut and choose something that feels right. At ANU everyone’s pretty flexible (well for me anyway I’m doing a bachelor of science) and it’s almost like a stir fry you just chuck whatever you like into the pan lol. Having said that, combined degrees are a lot less flexible because they are trying to cram the 2 courses into a few years. I would talk to someone who is doing a combined degree about that.

Here are the reasons why I might enjoy .....<snip>

Wow lol you’ve certainly got a lot of (valid) interests and skills there. AS above do what feels right. I took a risk and chose psychology and Computer science for fun. Comp didn’t work out to well, but i thoroughly enjoy psyc even though it doesn’t fit in with my course on the grand scale of things. Doing combined law/med will be a challenge though with workload you might need to contact ANU about that and see what they think/ If your keen it probably wont be a problem.
People who work in their industry are always going to be biased towards that specified field. I found that with everyone i spoke to. Do some research about the fields and look up both positives and negatives of both. Should also help you come to a decision.

Still, even if I decide to do Law at ANU, I have to choose from Psychology/Law, Arts/Law, maybe Asian Studies/Law, or maybe IT/Law.

That’s the awesome thing about combined degrees there’s so many combinations. Go on the faculty websites and have a look at their descriptions. Perhaps even go to the open day and get a feel for a few faculties.
http://studyat.anu.edu.au/programs/undergrad/combined.html

True, but it will be harder to justify it to my parents when I'm moving out for a measly 75 UAI (Arts).

Hmmm it’s not the UAI that affects the quality of the coursework. It’s based on supply and demand and unfortunately everyone is scared of moving away from mummy. (excuse the sarcasm).
I left all my “friends and family” behind when i came here its been the best move i’ve ever made. Everyone here is really nice theres no hsc bitchings and on top of that i feel (for alot of my friends) closer to them that i do back in syd. Lol it does make me sound like a social outcast in Sydney which isn’t the case. But everyone here (at johns anyway) is from inter-state/national. So everyone arrived with no friends on the first day. I’ve made so many awesome friends and its such a great atmosphere. You don’t have to be a wild drunken person to have fun/or if that is you the facilities are there for that. There’s such a good mix of people from different backgrounds/countries/states/urban and rural areas it’s an awesome community.
Independence is one of the reasons why i love Canberra so much im at a catered college which makes me not 100% independent but its a good equilibrium for me.

Though, what are the parties like?

There’s parties Johns has (sometimes themed nights), my mates have (who live off campus), up at the clubs (really really cheap you buy a card which entitles you to $2 drinks @ mooseheads), parties in peoples rooms ( cramped but they are good fun i’m going to one tonight), parties in the JCR (junior common room) [a couple of weeks ago the American exchange students hosted a drinking games night. BYO was great fun.] Oweek we had Toga party, Hawaiian bar crawl, fantasy island, etc etc

Do you stay up until two in the morning with excessive amounts of alcohol, blaring music, and disco lights?

Yes Thursday nights most people go clubbing mooseheads hosts hour of power - $1 drinks 10-11pm Thursday great item you’ll experience it all here.
Noise is kept to a minimum at 10pm every night here and most people are pretty respectful of that. At johns if you want to keep partying we just move up to the JCR.

How crazy does it get?

Good its not as dodgy as places in Sydney but it gets crazy you must stay longer than 2am to experience real crazy stuff though

How do you find time to study? (+ negative social aspects)

Most challenging part all about finding a balance. I don’t work so that always helps. Also i don’t have a tv here. So since the start of the year i’ve probably watched 30 hours max of tv we spend so much time socialising, partying, talking etc you’ve got time to study if you want. Lol i make it sound like study is optional

What is there to do?

Too much i never run out of things to do. Canberra gets a lot of flak for being a “hole” etc etc. But i’m yet to be bored out of my mind (as i was in Sydney). It’s what you make of it and with 300 other students (at most halls) in the same situation there’s always something to do.
300 (johns) + 200 (Ursula) + 500 (B&G) + few hundred (bruce)... fenner, burgman, uni lodge etc etc etc theres plenty of students around to have fun with.

Still, for some reason, my social life just started booming these September holidays. It's completely unnerving, especially since my exams are almost on me. I gotta concentrate!

Concentrate now and get that good mark so you can come here. It’s defiantly worth coming here even if its for that course with the “75 UAI”. Great uni, great people, great fun.

Thanks for taking the time to read through my long posts and answer my queries.

No problem I’ve over-used the quote button today but oh well.
If you want to stay on campus next year (i strongly suggest you do) apply right now! Some have interviews and they need to see if your interested. If you want to go to johns make sure you put them as 1st preference because they only interview 1st preferences because of the large number of applicants. (Check www.johnxxiii.anu.edu.au for more info)
http://accom.anu.edu.au/UAS/199.html
Haha yeah i even had a meal during the reply - so much to write lol (1000+ words and 3 pages worth)
Good luck hopefully i’ll see you here next year
Regards EvilO

 

[Monkeylord]

Hahah, I am going to the ANU. I have no idea what I would like to study..however my main focus is English seeing as though I do a double major. Oh, and also drama like subjects.

My brother goes to the ANU and he says it is excellent!

Almost exactly the same for me! I want to do English and my Bro's studying there already too XD

 

[Evilo]

Schmeag.

I only just uncovered this post, and now im not sure if I’ve actually answered it in a pm. Oh well I’ll try again.
Well I spose you just need to trust you gut, go with the flow, and be open to try different things. If it doesn’t work out suffer for a term (just like I did). You can change(courses) at almost any time*, but remember the further you are into the year, the harder it is to catch up. Good idea for the compromise.
---RE: Cons of ANU
“has a relatively lessened cultural experience” – I have spoken to my mates who are at UNSW, SYD, MACQ, UTS etc – they have had no social life in comparison to me here. Provided you stay on campus at a college (for the 1st year) then it will be a blast. When people spoke to me and said Canberra was a hole, I pictured a desolate farmland with absolutely nothing within 200km. Then I came here and im yet to be bored.
Part time jobs are damn easy to find. I reckon if I went out tomorrow I’d get at least 3 interviews. Just gotta be persistent and proactive.
Accommodation – It was actually cheaper for me to live interstate at college than stay at home. (im a big guy lol). It cost me about $10k, which when you add up insurance, and utilities + food – it isn’t that much.
Settling is pretty easy, everyone is in the same boat getting used to the place. I found it hard to get into a good rhythm (work and play), but I’ve got it sorted.
Friends and family are not an issue – everyone is in the same boat. I’ve made more great friends here then back in syd. Isolation is not an issue. Within a 100m radius is 319 people, 200m – 519 people total. Add a few hundred meters and there’s about 1300 people. If you can’t find a bunch of friends here I’d be honestly surprised.
ANU campus is BIG! If I’m not going to my geology lectures, I use a bike. It’s good because it’s not congested. The main area (union court) is usually full of people, but I haven’t got my lectures near there. Better big, than cramped in my opinion.
“I've had a few discussions with them, and they would prefer that I consider Victorian universities first, in order to save money.” – as per post above, it was cheaper for me to live interstate, possibly because I eat an elephant in food a day. But yep it does come down to how much your family can afford etc. It will play a factor in what you do
“HSC Bitchings” – people fighting/arguing/not talking to one another etc over the stress caused by hsc. Not a pleasant experience.
“. So there's no division between races/genders...etc?” – I think its more of choice, particular from what I’ve seen the Asians generally like to stick together (as aussies would if they were in a non-english speaking country). Having said that, I include everyone in anything I do. Nobody is expected to be in any “social group” etc – everyone is pretty mature in this respect.
“Splendid! Pardon me for being curious, but what stuff goes on after 2am?” – Fights occur outside the nightclubs more often (happens anywhere including Sydney – but after 2am its more regular.). AFP are usually around pretty quickly. I have not been in a fight yet (touch wood) and it seems to be a case of “it takes two to tango”. I do see people who try and start fights, especially when they see me (being a 6 foot 4 male), but I seem to avoid most confrontations. Its nothing major really, I mean I’ve seen a lot worse in Sydney. Drunk girls seem to get a bit more “rowdy” after 2am (take clothes off on dance floor etc).
“However, I was wondering what the best expected date of arrival would be” – this year it was about Sunday the 14th of feb, I can make the assumption that next year (because uni starts a bit later) you will be told to arrive on 20th. Different halls start on different dates, they will tell you closer to the date when your application is accepted.
Also, what would the recommended duration of stay be?
Everyone stays for a year, unless your one exchange – its cheaper that way (up to $20 a fortnight) by paying a year in advance. (really depends on your economic circumstances) – changes from college to college
I think I replied to the other questions in the email, oh shit I hope I didn’t repeat myself.