Study times at USC in Australia

Now a few information about the structure of the study at USC.

The study times are all roughly the same in Australia. All Universities or Colleges start and end almost the same time.

Two study systems are available in Australia. The two semester system and the Trimester system.

The main difference between the systems is the amount of weeks one semester includes and the length of the breaks between the semesters.

The two semester system:

This semester (Semester 2- July to Nov) is split into 5 parts:
- Week 1 to 10: contact: lecture/class + Tutorials
- Week 10 (2): Study Break: 1 week break to relax or catch up on the subjects
- Week 11-13: contact: lecture/class + some Tutorials
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- Week 13 (2): Study Break: 1 week break to study for exams
- Week 14-15: Exam Period: writing Exams in the 'Exam Block'


Week 13 to 15 are only important if you have exams at the end of the semester. If you're lucky you won't have any exams so your semester finishes 3 weeks earlier!!

The structure of Semester 1 (Feb to June) is more or less the same as Semester 2.

The Trimester system:

- 1 weeks less contact and one break (after week 9)

- Week 13: Exams

- only one week break between Trimester 2 and 3

- 2 weeks break in Trimester 3

I'm in the two Semester system and I do have to write two exams this semester. But I'm still really lucky. I have them on the first two days of the 'Exam Block'.

So the exams are on the 4th and 5th of November. Fingers crossed that I will pass.

One semester Break in Australia is like...

Last week I had a break from studying. Due to my assessments I have to hand in after this week I didn't go on BIG holidays.

I studied and I had fun with friends and the family I'm staying with.

Firstly I went to Mooloolaba to practice for my swim.

Delicious Breakfast at the Beach...

...after a quick swim...

...with the family.

I also went to the Waterfall in Buderim.

Look at the tall unbowed palm tree next to the tiny palm tree.

A special trip was to the double Island and the rainbow Beach just two hours from home. This was a Trip organized by Emily. Amazing day trip with her siblings and Max from England.

We left the house early in the morning to get an early ferry and to drive on the beach at low tide.

'Easy' with a 4x4 car

breakfast at the beach

climbing up the sand dunes for a great view at rainbow beach

preparing lunch on the back of the car

Off to a short walk to the light house. On the way we have to cross a part of the ocean. 

Let's see how deep the water is, hopefully not too deep.

walking on the sand, stones, through the forest,...

Beautiful Rainbow Beach

View on the way to the light house

some information about the light house

View to the Double Island Beach, where we had breakfast. Just on the other side of Rainbow beach.

Enjoying the drive on the beach back to watch the sunset at the Beach of Double Island.

freedom

Enjoying the sunset at Double Island

Driving home after an amazing time

Last week we had a new record of temperature in October for the Sunshine Coast.

On 7th of October 2019 we had 32 Degrees.

No studying on this day but a ride to the beach to meet some friends.

Australia- am I in the right mood?

G'day Mate!

That's probably the sentence I heard the most since I'm here. But it's a nice sentence. Mate in this context means 'friend'. 

Australia is known for one of the most happiest country or even continent in the world. Maybe it's because people respect each other, they take care of their health, try to live without stress.

But I experienced not all of these aspects. I have the feeling that the Australians are mostly stressed. 
Stressed and relaxed because of work, free time activities or University stuff. 

Studying...

Free time...

Students in Australia are more relaxed about their assignments or presentations. I have to figure out why, so that I can improve my stress level when assessments are coming up.
Probably the priority is on free time activities rather then getting the best mark for an assignment that's only worth 15 marks (out of 100).

I will figure it out and might have to change my style of studying in my second semester at USC.

Being in the right mood to get along with the assessments is very important. 

Australia gives you the variation in studying. My short semester Break is the best example.