About the SmoothStart Networking Program

The transition from high school to university can be daunting as well as exciting, especially if none of your high school friends are coming to university with you!

• How do you find your way around?
• Where do you even begin to find out what you need to know about uni life?

If you are coming from a rural or interstate school, or from a metropolitan school which has few students going on to university, the challenges are even greater than for other students.

SmoothStart is a free program designed to help first year students experience an easier and more enjoyable transition from high school to university.

If you register for SmoothStart you will:

• Be supported by SmoothStart staff and mentors during the first semester, particularly in the first six weeks.
• Have your own Peer Mentor, an experienced University of Adelaide student who can help you and be your guide to university life.
• Meet other first year students in a fun and relaxed way.
• Get to know the campus and services the University has to offer.
• Receive information about how to improve your study skills, find out some of the differences between university and high school styles of study and learn where to get help with your academic work.
• Be introduced to the CBD area and services relevant to students.
• Be invited to SmoothStart social activities throughout the semester (can you smell the sausages and pizza already?!).

Some comments from SmoothStart participants

"I met four to five really good friends on the first SmoothStart meeting and stayed friends with them throughout the semester."

"It made the transition to Uni much less daunting and was a good opportunity to get familiar with the campus and new people."

"Just knowing that there was a group of people I could turn to for help who knew what I was going through (starting uni) and had all the right answers to my questions was great."

So if you are considering or have accepted an offer to the University of Adelaide for 2010, refer to 'Who Can Apply?' and find out more about how to apply for SmoothStart or download a copy of the SmoothStart information brochure.