Familiarity with university life is a main indicator of academic success for first-year students, making campus tours an important part of the transition into tertiary education, a Queensland University of Technology (QUT) expert says.
QUT director of First Year Experience Professor Karen Nelson said research showed first-year students who feel as if they belong at university had higher retention rates.
"We know that familiarity with university is one of the main indicators for later success," she said.
"Unfamiliarity with the campus environment and uncertainty about university are two of the main reasons why students leave in the early part of their studies."
Professor Nelson urged potential undergraduate students and their parents to take special campus tours of Gardens Point, Kelvin Grove and Caboolture in the lead up to the QTAC closing date for on-time university applications on September 30.
Over the school holidays, high school students can tour QUT from 10am to noon daily, with tours leaving each campus every 30 minutes from September 26 to 30.
Discover QUT, from September 27 to 29, will offer students another chance to learn about the faculties and courses based at QUT's three campuses.
Prospective students interested in studying within Built Environment and Engineering, Business, Law and Science and Technology faculties can tour Gardens Point campus on September 27.
Those keen to apply to Creative Industries, Education and Health can visit Kelvin Grove on September 28, while Caboolture campus tours for Business, Creative Industries, Primary Education and Nursing are available on September 29.
Professor Nelson said QUT students conducted the tours, giving potential students and their parents the chance to hear about QUT from someone currently studying.
"Getting the feel of the university and where essential places such as the library and student support services are located are incredibly important background knowledge that students and parents need to have," she said.
"It's particularly important for students who come from families where going to university hasn't been part of the family experience. Campus tours can make a difference as to how quickly a student adjusts to university.
"It's a strategy for success."
High school students expecting to receive an OP 1 to 5 are encouraged to attend an Academic Scholarship Preparation Seminar on September 28, from 5pm to 7pm at Kelvin Grove campus.
For more information about these events, visit:
Holiday campus tours:
www.qut.edu.au/study/events/holiday-campus-tours
Discover QUT: www.qut.edu.au/study/events/discover-qut
Scholarships: www.qut.edu.au/study/events/academic-scholarship-preparation-seminar
Media contact: Stephanie Harrington, media officer, 3138 1150, stephanie.harrington@qut.edu.au
