| In Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, a student's academic schedule fluctuates between lectures, tutorials (small group sessions), laboratory work, seminars, and library study. The tutorials may require you to prepare material, present a paper, read articles or participate in group discussion. Students generally concentrate on their major in the first year since there is not a "general studies" requirement like most U.S./Canadian four-year institutions and therefore introductory subjects may be more difficult than at your home university. The academic systems in all three countries place emphasis on independent study. This can be quite different to that experienced in the US/Canada. It is expected that students will research and write essay type papers even from their first year. These written papers will make up large parts of the overall assessment with final exams making up to 60% of the final grade. It is not uncommon to have 1-2 exams or papers making up 100% of the grade. The grading system typically works on a strict bell curve and students are expected to perform a great deal of independent study in order to achieve high marks. In general, you should be prepared for some differences between the overseas and the U.S./Canadian academic systems and be aware that you may experience a period of adjustment. Now that you have the basic education system and academic differences, how do you enroll for classes? |