IN Study In Australia /

25 Jun, 2026

What to expect at student orientation: a new student's guide

Starting your studies is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. There will be a new campus, new people, new systems, and new expectations. This is why orientation exists; it is designed to help you feel more confident before classes begin.

Whether you're joining straight from high school, arriving as an international student, transferring from another institution, or returning to study after time away, orientation is your first step into student life.

In this blog, we will go through:

What is orientation?

Orientation is an introductory event for new students and takes place before classes officially start. You may be tempted to think orientation is just an information session, and you don't need to attend. In reality, it will make a big difference to how prepared you feel in your first few weeks.

“Orientation is an important first step because it helps students feel welcomed, informed, and connected before classes begin. Starting at a new environment can be overwhelming, especially for international students who may be adjusting to a new country and culture. The orientation program offers a lot of helpful information that can help students kickstart their academic success. It also gives you the chance to make new friends and meet faculty members.”

~ Ashila Kamila, Student Ambassador, Kaplan Business School (KBS)

For many students, orientation is the moment when everything starts to feel real. You move from wondering what student life will be like to seeing how it all works.

What happens at orientation?

Every education provider's orientation program is different, but most include a mix of information sessions, introductions, activities, and opportunities to ask questions.

Here is a list of things that many orientations will include.

1. Your academic program

You’ll receive information about your course structure, subjects, assessments, academic policies, and expectations. You will get to meet your lecturers, learn how classes are delivered, how participation works, and what kind of support is available.

2. Student support services

You will learn the range of support services available to you such as academic support, help with enrolment or administrative tasks, counselling or wellbeing services and library resources. New students sometimes wait until they are struggling before asking for help. Orientation shows you where support is available early, so you know who to contact when you need guidance.

3. Career and employability support

Orientation will introduce you to careers services such as career coaching, employability programs, networking opportunities, workshops, and resources that can help you prepare for your future career. This is useful if you want to update your resume, improve your interview skills, find internships, or understand what employers are looking for.

4. Student systems

You will be shown how to access student portals, learning platforms, school email, timetables, subject outlines, and important forms.

5. Take a tour of the campus and facilities

A campus tour will help you become familiar with important locations such as classrooms and libraries, making it easier to navigate the campus when the semester starts.

6. Meet other new students

Orientation gives you a chance to meet people who are starting at the same time as you. The school may organise fun activities or group discussions to help you get to know each other.

You don’t need to make your entire friendship group on day one. A simple conversation with another new student can make your first class feel much less intimidating.

" Being willing to start conversations and participate in activities can make a big difference. Orientation is designed to bring people together, and most students are looking to make connections as well. Joining discussions, introducing yourself to classmates, and attending social events are great ways to build friendships. Sometimes a simple ‘Where are you from?’ can start a lasting friendship.”

~ Ashila Kamila, Student Ambassador, KBS

7. Hear from current students

One of the best parts of orientation is hearing from students who have already been through the experience. Current students can share honest advice about managing study, making friends, using support services, and settling into Australia. Their advice can make the experience feel more personal and less overwhelming.

Orientation at KBS

Questions to ask at orientation

Orientation is the perfect time to ask questions. No question is too small, especially when you’re new. Asking early can save you stress later.

Here are some suggestions:

How do I access my timetable?
Where can I find my subject outlines?
Who do I contact if I need academic help?
What happens if I miss a class?
How do assessments work?
Where can I get help with referencing or study skills?
Are there student clubs, events, or networking opportunities?
How can I access career support?
What should I do in my first week?

Advice from KBS students

Mariana Leite and Ashila Kamila, our Student Ambassadors, have helped many students settle in at our orientation events.

Mariana Leite Gongora, Brazil

Why do you think orientation is important for new students?

Orientation is important because it is one of the first contacts students have with the campus and the KBS team. During orientation, students can learn about services such as the Careers Team, Academic Success Centre, and student support services. It is also a good opportunity to ask questions about enrolment, subject selection, and anything else they may be unsure about. Meeting staff, student ambassadors, and volunteers makes new students feel more comfortable and welcomed.

Why do you think orientation is important for new students?

What questions do new students ask most often?

Many new students ask about assessments and how the Australian education system works. They also often ask whether services such as career support and workshops are included or if they cost extra. Another common question is about choosing subjects and planning their study journey.

What should students not worry too much about?

As international students, I think many of us worry too much about our English and making mistakes when speaking. I felt the same when I arrived. However, KBS is a very supportive environment, and everyone understands that English is not our first language. The more you participate, ask questions, and speak with others, the more confident you become. Students should not be afraid of being judged because everyone is learning together.

What helps new students make friends at orientation?

I think joining the activities is the best way. Talking to the student ambassadors, participating in the campus tour, joining games like Kahoot, and simply introducing yourself to other students can make a big difference. Most people are also looking to make new friends, so orientation is a great place to start.

Ashila Kamila, Indonesia

What is the best piece of advice you got from a current student or staff member when you attended orientation?

The best advice I received was to make use of all the support services available and not be afraid to ask for help. Whether it is academic support, career guidance, or simply seeking advice, there are many people who genuinely want students to succeed. Asking questions early can make the transition much smoother and help students get the most out of their experience.

What should students not worry too much about?

Students should not worry too much about having everything figured out. It is completely normal to feel uncertain during the first few weeks. It takes time to adjust to a new environment, learn new systems, and building friendships with new people. The important thing is to be patient, be open to learning, ask questions when needed, and remember that support is available throughout your study journey.

What's one mistake new students should avoid during orientation?

One mistake new students should avoid is staying in their comfort zone and not engaging with staff and other new students. Orientation is a unique opportunity to learn about available resources, meet new people, and become familiar with the campus community. The more students participate, the more confident and connected they will feel when classes begin.

What to do after orientation

Here is a list of tasks we recommend doing after your orientation to help you feel ready for your first week of classes:

Log in and explore your learning platforms
Start checking your student email daily
Review your timetable
Read your subject outlines
Highlight important dates
Save key contact details
Join any communication channels recommended during orientation

Settling in takes time. You don’t need to have everything figured out. Your first few weeks as a student may feel busy, but orientation will give you a strong foundation to start.

At KBS, our Student Support team can help you with any study or personal challenges. Download our free eBook about studying in Australia for everything you need to know about living and studying here.