Get Started as a First Year Student

Welcome to HKU! This is a joyful and exciting time to celebrate your academic success, make new friends, and get ready for a new chapter of your life. University, unlike secondary school, offers a wide range of study programmes, courses, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. You are free to explore, choose, and plan your studies according to your personal interests and goals.

However, you may feel overwhelmed by the amount of information and resources and confused about how to make informed decisions. This is a process that most first year students have gone through and you are not alone. Teachers, staff in different supporting services offices, and senior students of the University are here to help you. We encourage you to make your own Academic or Study Plan, contact the Academic Advisers in your home Faculty and the Academic Advising Office (AAO), as well as the personal and career counsellors in the Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS) whenever you need help.

The AAO website contains useful information and resources to facilitate your academic planning. We hope you can make the best use of the information and links here. To get started make sure that you know about the “Basics” for a new student:

What is Academic Advising?

• The meaning of Academic Advising.
• Different types of Academic Advisers that could help you.
• When the semester starts in September 2012, you will be able check the name and contact information of your Faculty Academic Adviser via SIS.
• Academic Advising Office. Come and visit us at Room 07, Upper Ground Floor, Knowles Building.

Learn the Basic Terms and Concepts

• You should familiarize yourself with new terms and concepts that are commonly referred to in the University.

Know Your Curriculum Requirements

• It is important for you to know your curriculum requirements and the curriculum structure.
• Common Core Curriculum and Capstone Experience are common learning experiences for all undergraduate students.
• Students who are not studying under a professional curriculum are required to declare Major(s) and may choose Minor(s) towards the end of the first year.

Do Your Course Selection

• Check the Course Offering List to find out whether a course is offered or not in the current academic year.
• Formulate an academic plan listing out the courses you wish to take in each semester. You may find this template useful.
• Complete the online course enrolment through the Student Information System (SIS).

Explore New Learning Strategies

• To have a fruitful and successful educational experience, you must recognise that study in University is very different from secondary school.
• There is no shortcut to academic success. However, there are some useful skills and tips that will help you study in a smart way.

Prepare for the New Semester

• Join the Induction programme organized by your Faculty which introduces you to your teachers and provides you with important information about your curriculum and course scheduling.
• Know the locations and contact details of your Faculty Office and other important units like AAO, CEDARS, Computer Centre and the Main Library.
• Familiarize yourself with the building abbreviations eg. KK1101 (stands for K.K. Leung Building, 11/F, Room 1101), or MWT5 (stands for Meng Wah Complex, Lecture Theatre 5) in your class schedule. Check out the locations of the classrooms in advance.

Reminder:

The above suggestions are not an exhaustive list of all the things that you ought to know; you are strongly encouraged to browse through this website to find out more information about University studies.