More than 40,000 students are gearing up to start Trimester One as O-Week celebrations kicked into overdrive across all Griffith campuses this week.
New students, about a quarter of all enrolments this trimester, pounced on the opportunity to make some friends and become familiar with their new home.
Groups raced around campuses on scavenger hunts, some cooled off with a dive-in movie and others made the most of their course’s various orientation activities.
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Engagement) Professor Martin Betts said O-Week was a fantastic time to be on campus.
“O-Week is a great opportunity for new students to meet their peers and become comfortable with finding their way around campus, as well as trying something new and exciting,” Professor Betts said.
“It’s also a great way for them to learn about the services and groups available to them throughout their study.”
Professor Betts earlier urged newcomers to immerse themselves in the activities and meet people from different clubs and groups.
“Get involved, join in and make some friends, just really go for it,” he said.
“Uni offers so much excitement and new opportunities for people.”
Thousands enjoyed market day, with their respective campuses transitioning into giant street markets complete with live performances, roving entertainment, product sampling and countless stalls.
Engineering students got a taste of things to come, competing to build the strongest tower out of fettuccine.
“This is a fun way of getting students to think about some principles of engineering, working in teams to plan, design and construct the strongest tower possible with only the materials and tools provided,” Technical Officer Miles Cornish said.
“Once completed, each tower underwent an earthquake simulation on the shaker table, followed by the Instron Machine.
“This machine accurately measures the force required to break each structure, revealing the strongest tower.”
There were also a number of practical workshops being held, with Budgeting 101, Money Habitudes, and How to write a LinkedIn profile sessions on offer.
South Bank, Mt Gravatt and Nathan campuses will also be holding market days in week one, on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday respectively.