University of New South Wales - @ Kenso Newsletter

"O'Week was the greatest introduction to college that we could have imagined."

(quote from a group of O'Weekers at the end of O'Week 2009)

O'Week is organised for all new residents at Philip Baxter College and it is aimed at providing an easy and extremely memorable way to get used to not only college, uni and city life.

Scheduled for the first week before classes begin, O'Week is organised and run by a select group of returning residents at Philip Baxter College who have been chosen due to the diverse range of qualities they have to offer. As a team they work together in helping each and every individual move into their new rooms and begin the amazing week of meeting many new friendly faces. This team helps to settle new residents and overcome their nerves about moving away from home for the first time.

From Sunday to Sunday, events are jam packed into a calendar that caters for everyone's interests. Each year a new theme is decided upon and new residents are immersed into the world of Baxter College. There are opportunities to find out more about UNSW, how to find your way around Sydney as well as find out where all the local shops, banks and other important things are! Some of the most enjoyable events include city scavenger hunts, dance nights, Tri-college parties, and plenty more amazing things that will etch themselves into your memory forever. These events not only provide a great opportunity to familiarise yourself with this new way of life but also a unique chance to get to know people from all walks of life, many of whom have travelled inter-state and even from overseas to come to Philip Baxter College.

Throughout the week, you will not only meet many of the new residents and O'Week leaders but also all of the staff members (tutors) at the college. The staff, lead by the Head of College provide information sessions throughout the week on various matters related to living at Baxter College as well as being involved in the daily activities. This ensures, upon return of the rest of the college's residents, that you are not only comfortable with the new members of Baxter but have also forged strong friendships with some of the more senior residents here.

The week guarantees fun, deprives sleep and ensures that life long friendships are formed. A great sense of college pride is felt by everyone involved in O'Week as new residents are permanently welcomed into the Baxter Family.