Start uni life - on the web!

New students can now find the daunting experience of starting university a little easier thanks to a website designed "by students for students".

The website, titled 'Starting at University', is one of the best ways for prospective and first-year students to understand what university life is like, by reading some of the experiences of those who have already completed their first year at the University of Adelaide.

The site also includes helpful information and links to sites that will be useful for new students.

The development of the site evolved from an idea by the university's Learning and Teaching Development Unit, and was designed by a team of students with the assistance of the unit and the Prospective Students Office.

James Geddes, who is in his final year of a combined Law and Arts degree, was one of the students employed on the project. He said a lot of research went into the development of the website.

"We made the website from scratch - from the original structure and content to getting it online. We looked at other uni sites to get a feel of what a site like this should include, and we tried to make ours even better," James said.

James said the website project was rewarding and hopes that new students will find it very helpful.

"I can remember that the move from high school to university was challenging for me, as it is for a lot of students. You have to learn pretty quick that you are completely responsible for your own education at uni," he said.

"Our main aim was to make the transition to university a bit easier. We tried to include student stories so that you could see what it really is like from a student's perspective, and you know other people have been through it before."

For more information, visit: www.adelaide.edu.au/starting/

Story by Natalie De Nadai

Important information about student life on campus can be found at the University of Adelaide's Open Day - Sunday, August 15.