Week One: I DONT KNOW WHAT IM DOING. ;-; (1 Viewer)

[iamsolost]

Hi, so it was my first time at university yesterday and I'm doing a Bachelor of Business (I am starting to doubt it because there are so many essays due and quizzes, I kind of wished I did some health science ;-; But it's too late... so yeah, hopefully I learn to enjoy Business, or maybe I'm doubting myself because I'm confused and nervous).
Anyway, so I am doing Business. I didn't buy the textbook for IBP yet, but I am planning to since the course outline has set readings for each week.

I have some questions:

• Is the homework allocated for each week (most homework are readings) be in the course outline. I've read the outline and it's got readings such as xxxx xxx chapters x and x.
^ Is that basically our homework? So we aren't given homework in the tutorials on the day, we've basically got all our homework listed on the course outline?

• Also, I'm stressed because we have 2 essays, a presentation and an exam this semester... 1000 words (which is like High school) but idk... I know nothing about IBP... from the first tutorial and lecture. Is this a lot of work? I mean 2 essays for one subject, I have three other subjects, how do you handle the workload? Is it a lot?

(It seems like a lot because it was overwhelming on the first day to just get bombarded with assignments and exams, I don't even know if it's been officially assigned yet, because at school, we used to get an assignment sheet, so I'd begin maybe a week later... but I don't know if our assignment has been given to us officially).

• Also, do they expect us to be geniuses at essays? I'm not the best english student and I don't use fancy words, in english (at school) I struggled to come up with good thesis's let alone find quotes to back them up. With IBP I know nothing about it... I feel like I haven't learnt anything.

• Some people say 'don't buy the textbook' but does the textbook introduce me to IBP so I know wth it's about? Right now, it's like a foreign subject.

• Also HOW DO I ORGANISE MY NOTES AND PREPARE NOTES? As you may know, IN High school, we would have a subject syllabus and have a textbook, and basically type out notes accordingly, so each week or month we sit down and summarise the textbook and syllabus. IS THIS HOW I STUDY FOR UNI??? I see people in lectures typing notes, when I'm sitting here with dot points and it's soooo disorganised, not subheadings, titles anything. How do I organise my notes?? ARE PRESENTATION POWERPOINTS from lectures sufficient?? Normally in H.S. my subheadings are the dot points from the syllabus, idk how to organise uni.

• IS BACHELOR BUSINESS a lot of work?? I'm doing full time. 4 subjects a semester. I've done one subject yesterday and they went over future assignments and I was literally stressed and regretting B. BUS cos if that much was for one subject. how the heck do i cope with the other 3 subjects???

• DO I SUMMARISE my readings? I assume we need a textbook to actually read. So as well as lecture notes, Im gonna have to study with textbook, so will summarising the textbook actually be USEFUL as it did in High School Business Studies?? I mean I also had case studies. ALSO DO WE HAVE ESSAYS in the exam? Cos that's HSC ALL OVER AGAIN ;-;

• ALSO I saw BUS STATS has quizzes, ?? 40% of your final grade = Quiz 1 and Quiz 2 IS A QUIZ LIKE A TOPIC TEST or more HALF YEARLY EXAM perhaps TRIALS

• AND LASTLY how do I cope with the workload? We have readings and assignments, and I would probably have summaries... idk if they are neccessary, my friend told me she just uses the lecture slides, but she's doing medical science at USYD. And she writes additional notes on the side from what tutor says and lecture says.
But my main concern is how do I make summaries, are they even neccessary and how do I organise notes? Should I turn the lecture slides into a summary or perhaps just print lecture slides then write notes?

I have to know how to prepare before I change my mind at the end of the semester and realise they were not detailed enough or something. at least in high school the teacher told us to make summaries according to the syllabus. idek how to study for uni. im so stressed. SORRY if i repeated myself i couldnt help it.... just not used to uni, or studying in general after four months of doing nothing.

ALSO is it expected we study everyday? like an hour a day? I thought I'd get more free time in uni... cos during HSC I would come home do summaries, and I did 5 subjects but i guess it's slower pace cos we aren't expected to know the subject completely in 2 terms (one semester)... instead 1 year.
I am not a fast learner, so it makes me more stressed. cos it's expected we know the whole subject by the end of term 2 (end of semester).

note i may have more questions by the time i go to uni a second time tomorrow.

edit: I see people with exercise books... why do we need it? do they write additional notes in lecture or something? this is what i mean when I say IDK how to organise. if i have an exercise book, how do I write notes and organise notes? like what headings? or will having a display folder with powerpoint be useful enough ? and then on the side, have a summary of the textbook...


edit: I was bad at maths in year 12. I did 2 unit maths. will i probs fail bus Stats

 

[EinstenICEBERG]

Gg wp. No re.

 

[raisondetre1]

It's good that you're worried and all but you really need to calm down. It doesn't take that long to find your bearings in effective studying for uni. Now, to answer your questions ...

1. Yes, the course outline is basically your guide to the subject. If it says there's reading, textbook questions or worksheets to be done, you should do it - especially if it's compulsory.
2. IBP is only a lot of work if you have a crap group for your project. The content you learn is quite straightforward and shouldn't be too difficult. The secret to uni is time management. Easier said than done.
Okay. University is not like high school. No one cares when you start your homework, assignments or study etc. Just make sure you finish it before their due dates. As long as you've been assigned or given the questions to homework (usually already written in the subject outline) and you've been taught the adequate amount of content to start assignments, you can start whenever you want.
3. Try the UTS Helps centre. You need to book an appointment though, and make sure you book it early because the time slots do tend to run out fast. Basically they help with essay writing and make sure you don't veer off the right track.
4. I believe I've answered this in another thread ... I will say it again, don't buy it - borrow it from the library and you'll see how useless it is.
5. With most subjects there are 'learning objectives'. This is a good place to start.
6. Again, for any degree and just uni in general if you don't have good time management then you are in for a lot of work. If you feel that 4 subjects is too much, then drop one subject before the census date (31 March 2015) and do 3 subjects this semester. It's perfectly normal.
7. Depends on how you study. Everyone is different. For most subjects, the lecture notes are the most useful. Textbooks can be good too sometimes.
8. Don't think I can help here. I did Business Stats in Autumn 2014 and heard the course changed quite a bit after. All I can say is just keep up with the workload, the homework questions should be good practice to study for the quizzes. 2 unit math is fine for Stats.
9. Again, the key is time management. Try doing a timetable planner or something to get yourself organised. Dedicate more time into the subjects that you find difficulty in and less for the subjects you're good at. Prioritise. For me, I print out the lecture slides beforehand and write notes on them during the lecture then I use those to write out my summaries, and depending on the subject I will write notes from the textbook as well. But it all depends on what is effective for you.

If you want to do Medical Science and you have enough ATAR points to get in, why don't you change your preferences for the mid-year transfer on your UAC application because it's still valid until then. You don't have to pay a single cent. Just a suggestion.

Hope this helps and good luck!

 

[iamsolost]

Thanks raison, yeah I will discuss with my parents... i think i am unsure of business because im just in a state of confusion. :/
so if i change, i'd begin medical science during spring semester.
Okay I will borrow it from the library if they are still available.
i have a planner that i am currently using, im writing down the readings due for each subject according to the subject outline.
I have a question though, the subject outline says: 1. content. 2. learning outcome that is listed on the lecture and tutorial structure as dot points and 3. subject objectives

so, is that what's assessable? or can they assess things other than that/ or am i missing something?
cos if i do summaries i will do it according to those dot points, and use that as sub headings... idk yet..

but thanks for your reply, it's really helpful.

 

[nerdasdasd]

Thanks raison, yeah I will discuss with my parents... i think i am unsure of business because im just in a state of confusion. :/
so if i change, i'd begin medical science during spring semester.
Okay I will borrow it from the library if they are still available.
i have a planner that i am currently using, im writing down the readings due for each subject according to the subject outline.
I have a question though, the subject outline says: 1. content. 2. learning outcome that is listed on the lecture and tutorial structure as dot points and 3. subject objectives

so, is that what's assessable? or can they assess things other than that/ or am i missing something?
cos if i do summaries i will do it according to those dot points, and use that as sub headings... idk yet..

but thanks for your reply, it's really helpful.

The content satisfies the learning outcomes

 

[tOnnyAyye]

This is my 3rd year of uni so here's my thoughts on your questions:

1) The readings are not the homework. They are there so that you can spend time understanding the concept in more detail (lecture covers them). The tutorial homework are actually on UTSOnline, for your respective subjects. They are usually up the day after the lecture. The tutorials are there to clarify any questions you have with regards to the tutorial homework.

2) Considering that I've done IBP in first year, workload is not as intense as you think it is.(Perhaps it's because I've done business in high school) You can always ask the tutor for any assistance with the assignments. You should obviously go over the lecture notes a few time to understand the concepts. In terms of giving out assignments, the lecturer will announce it during the lectures and will also be emailed to you via UTS email, so always check it.

3) You're not expected to be genius in essays, but you have to at least know how to write one (which you learned from high school English). I'm pretty sure that the tutorials will assist you in how to write an essay for the faculty of Business. There's no need to use fancy words, but the jargons are important.

4) Most people that got into Bachelor of Business have done Business Studies, Legal Studies or Economics in high school. Therefore, they already have the fundamental knowledge from IBP, which covers all areas of Business, from marketing, to accounting, etc. If you have absolutely no idea what's going on, then getting the textbook may greatly help, or even better get a friend that did the high school subjects I've mentioned.

5) I have used the strategy you mentioned in Business Studies. It was basically use the syllabus dot points as the starting point for making notes. In university, however, it gets complicated. Each lecture covers specific areas of the subject and in the powerpoints, those areas are explored in more detail. What I normally do is to prioritise which slides are important and summarise them (include examples). Everyone has different ways to taking notes so find a way that you think is comfortable.

6) Considering that you are doing just Bachelor of Business, workload is not a lot. Yes, each subject bombards you with a bunch of information, but the first week is usually an introduction or a plan for the semester. You have done at least 4 subjects in high school, so it's all about adapting to university life. I'm sure there are people that are on the same boat as you.

7) I get asked many times by high school students about how university works. It's pretty much 2 HSC in one year. In some subjects, the lecture slides are sufficient to cover the necessary concepts. Getting textbook is what you have to decide. Buying it new cost at least $100. That's why there is a second-hand bookshop or students exchanging for lower price. The subject outline will tell you everything about the assessments, and this may include the structure of the exams. The lecturer would have covered it in lectures.

8) BStats may have changed their assessment structure since I completed it.. But generally, you need to complete all assessments and get an overall grade of at least 50 to pass the subjects.

9) It's okay to be overwhelmed with the workload the first time you step into university. But overtime, you can get some good advice to surviving uni and will help you in organising notes, summarising, etc. During lectures, consider having the slides with you, and highlight vital points in each powerpoint. Also you can add additional information that the lecturer may say.

10) Studying every day is good, but you need to at least balance it with social life, that's why there are societies/clubs to help relieve the intense workload of uni. You no longer spoonfed the answers or specific instructions just like high school. In university, it is your decision to spend time studying and or socialise with friends.

11) Exercise books are mainly useful for tutorials. During tutorials, the tutor will usually go over the questions that you were meant to do (these are uploaded on UTS online). He/She may write the solutions and it's your job to write down. If you do skip tutorials, they upload the answers online. But I highly recommend you to go to tutorials, cause you can ask questions.

12) Bachelor of Business assumes that you have knowledge in 2U maths. But generally, the lectures and tutorials will cover the maths and again ask as many questions as you like.


NOTE:

Just a bit about myself. You can look at the signature below. I'm currently a 3rd Year student and so I have completed all the core business subjects in first year. I was a consistent student in high school so I have picked up a lot of study tips during this time and adapted to university life smoothly. At first I got a bit overwhelmed with assessments, but it was not a major problem. I try to balance out study with social activities, mainly from the Anime and Japanese society. (Anime@UTS and JASS, respectively). Not bragging or anything, but it takes time to get used to being independent. I have mentored a bunch of high school students that are either stressing during HSC, or not being sure on what to do in university.

For first years, the first few weeks of uni is a transition between high school and university.

PM me if you have more questions, but keep posting them here so that other students can see.

 

[Shaz8teen]

Fuarkkkk... today was my first day, I'm also doing B. Business. Reading your post made me stressed -.-

Edit: iamsolost, this might help you with essay writing: http://www.uts.edu.au/sites/default/files/business-writing-guide-2014.pdf
Also, contact HELPS at UTS for help with assessments and stuff.

 

[cormacshaw]

Remember: feeling stressed is normal, but if you are feeling overwhelmed: don't wait and have a chat with a counsellor, or an academic advisor, and think about the University's programs for mentoring and group work (I think it's called UPASS).

 

[Bongos]

My main problem is that I'm freaked out I have no idea what to do for the essay. Do they explain what is needed in the essay in a lecture and/or tut ? or do they just expect us to know ?...

This is probably a dumb question.

Do they prefer a specific structure or as long as I answer the question ?

 

[Bongos]

Statistics - any advice ? Pls

 

[raisondetre1]

Remember: feeling stressed is normal, but if you are feeling overwhelmed: don't wait and have a chat with a counsellor, or an academic advisor, and think about the University's programs for mentoring and group work (I think it's called UPASS).

Not quite. The U: PASS program is run by students with an overall credit average or above and a D or HD in the subject they are facilitating in. The subjects that U: PASS offers are those with the notoriously high-failure rates. IBP is not offered in U: PASS unfortunately. It's mainly peer-learning so U: PASS leaders can't help you directly with questions you may have about the content i.e. spoon fed you the answers. But they do give out general uni advice. (Trust me, I used to be a U: PASS leader.)

My main problem is that I'm freaked out I have no idea what to do for the essay. Do they explain what is needed in the essay in a lecture and/or tut ? or do they just expect us to know ?...

This is probably a dumb question.

Do they prefer a specific structure or as long as I answer the question ?

Good idea to ask your tutor since s/he will be marking it. Yes, definitely answer the question - never blab unless you have spare words in your limit to use. As a general rule, you write it as you would with any essay: introduction, body and conclusion. As previously stated by other users, try the UTS Helps centre. It is located in Building 1.

Statistics - any advice ? Pls

If you've done 2 unit Maths you should be fine. It's pretty straightforward and not as bad as people make it out to be. Just keep on par with the lecture slides every week (they are quite good, at least when I did the subject) and do your homework. Ask/email your lecturers and tutors questions if you get confused about any part of the content - something I wish I should have taken advantage of in first year. It's their job to help after all. Don't stress and good luck!

 

[Bongos]

Thank you - but you see I didn't do ANY maths. That's why I'm freaking out

 

[EinstenICEBERG]

Thank you - but you see I didn't do ANY maths. That's why I'm freaking out

if you can add, subtract multiply and divide then you are fine, otherwise....

Sent from Samsung S5

 

[raisondetre1]

Easy. My answer doesn't change much. Consider going to U: PASS. Or if you're lucky enough to get a tutor called Atieh don't bother. She's the best. The subject really isn't that hard. They hold your hand through most of the concepts.

 

[waterlml]

i feel you, i have done business in high school and i still feel like i don't know what to do, all i can feel is so many assessments are coming up

 

[Flop21]

Can I ask what you want to do when you get out of uni?


And I'm confused why you're locked into business. I thought you could change if you didn't like it? Do you have to wait until the year is over or something before you can change? Thanks, I'm just wondering.

 

[iamsolost]

I think it would be in Business Report Format.
IDK, I am just as lost as you :/ I would assume executive summary then 1. title then 1.1. sub title then 1.2. then 2. second title then 2.1 etc 2.2 ??

Flop, I think I am in a state of confusion because the first week has been hard to grasp. I mean, I have no idea how to take down notes, I don't have textbooks YET because some say it's useful, others disagree, i dont have a lot of money. etc. im conflicted.
I got a band 6 in business in yr 12 but it's nothing like uni business. also 2 HSC's dammmn. at least in highschool, i was organised and had notes and knew what to study and how to study.

problem right now is, how do i study? what do i study? how do i organise etc... im stressed because i have to come up with a solution to my questions asap before we get any further in the course.

i think i am unsure of business atm cos i am just confused not yet organised or settled. once i figure out how i will carry through with uni things will be better.

as for now, im just so confused. a lot of the answers here have been helpful, especially toonyayye> thanks for breaking everything down for me, especially about finding out what homework is, and about the readings etc. i think i will try do the readings once i get a textbook. i did business in year 12, did alright even though it wasnt my most fav subject. biology was but i didnt do as well (band 5) and so i thought maybe business was for me. thanks for explaining the homework, and note taking thing.

i think what i will do is re-write/summarise/re-format the lecture slides on word doc in a way that i can follow and read (cos i dont like how the slides r a bit messy, and while re-formatting and stuff, i will sit in the lecture and type my additional notes... and then i will put the 'dotpoint' thingy next to the topic and at the end see if all the dot points are covered (by dot point i mean learning outcome) and then in tutorial i will have loose leaf paper and write my homework answers and additional notes. and then eventually print out the stuff and file my notes and tutor notes in a folder.

i might not summarise the textbook, since the slides sorta do that, but i will defs make sure to add any other interesting thing or explanation.

:/

 

[iamsolost]

Also, are the learning outcomes what we are tested on? anything further than that? i assume these learning outcomes are similar to that of a syllabus dot point from year 12 and 11... so in H.S. we would cover each dot point in order, one per lesson, or over 2 lessons depending on how much content was involved. so will the lecture basically cover one learning outcome in one lecture? or is it scattered, so we never fully do one outcome, instead, it builds up over many lectures and it's all over the place, just need to know while i think about ways to make uni notes. thanks

 

[EinstenICEBERG]

Also, are the learning outcomes what we are tested on? anything further than that? i assume these learning outcomes are similar to that of a syllabus dot point from year 12 and 11... so in H.S. we would cover each dot point in order, one per lesson, or over 2 lessons depending on how much content was involved. so will the lecture basically cover one learning outcome in one lecture? or is it scattered, so we never fully do one outcome, instead, it builds up over many lectures and it's all over the place, just need to know while i think about ways to make uni notes. thanks

Thread has ended. Read subject outline.

 

[Chronost]

You just need to calm down and study one subject at a time a day so that you don't get interwined with everything at once. B.Business is a pretty easy degree on its own, if you're going to switch to medical/health science trust me you'll have an even slighter bigger workload which I'm not sure you want considering you'll already so stressed. Take down notes how you take notes in High school, it's simple just write down what you THINK is important, don't look at others just do your own notes. You seem like you've been really one of those spoonfed people in High School, at least that's the impression I'm getting right now, so I suggest take into account you need to be independent now and work things out one by one.

Honestly the assignments and exams etc that you get in one go are the same as you'll get in High school during a certain period or during exams, didn't you ever have to take mid-sems or yearly exams for 5-6 subjects during a 2 week period? It's exactly the same as uni now, it really shouldn't be much of a problem for you to handle.