A few questions:
1) When is Enrolment Day?
Its done on the Monday from memory. Don’t sweat. Johns (and all the other colleges) are given times where you go down as a group. Its a pretty easy day, i advise you look up your subject in advance and sort out a “preliminary subject choice” idea, then go with a few questions. It gets a bit harder when people rock up with the name of their degree no idea about majors and no possible elective ideas. While you have the time, research how many “group a” (first year) units you need, how many are compulsory etc - and if not – can “electives” be collected from any faculty etc. Just get a general idea what to expect.
2) Pre-Enrolment Day is 4th Feb. Think it's worth going?
No idea, i didn’t go. I was fine enrolling on the first day. To my knowledge Pre-enrolment was for uber-keen students, and people who were going to be somewhere else on enrolment day.
3) I was originally thinking of getting my mum to drive (and practise driving) up to ANU on the first day, because I'd have to bring loads of luggage. But she can't bear driving home alone, so she wants to take a flight with me over to ANU. It means I can all my stuff over in less time. What method of transport do you recommend?
Hmmmm. In my case i took the bus down for o-week, then both my parents came up on the Sunday with all my main luggage. You could rent a car, and your mum could fly back? I asked a (melb) mate and he said he drove up with his dad and then he drove back alone.
4) Youth Allowance: Do you have it?
No but i know plenty who have. Once you are eligible, they allow you to work a certain number of hours a week (if you like) and they put their funds in your account on a fortnightly basis. You would have to speak with centerlink about that.
5) Can you accept multiple offers from multiple universities? How do they know which one you really want to go to? I accidentally accepted one from the University of Adelaide.
Call UAC and tell them what’s happened – do it fast. Then call UofA and tell them you “accidently” accepted, then call anu and tell them what happened. That’s what i would do for peace of mind lol. Probably only the first bit is needed, but oh well – better safe than sorry
6) How often do they hold question time in parliament house?
Not sure, but i know at least one person from johns who goes. (from memory) he went every Wednesday (or every second Wednesday) – cant remember
7) I want to lug my electric guitar over. Do you know of anyone looking for band crew? Do you know of anyone that has spare time to teach a beginner guitarist?
I’m sure you’ll find someone to teach/jam with. You’ll meet other enthusiasts like yourself during o-week. If you come to johns ill introduce you to our rocking guitar player (although hes in his own band, he’ll probably me more than happy to chat with you about guitars lol)
8) What does ANU think of demonstrators/protesters? How do they react to them?
Doesn’t happen very often. I think something happened last year when Brendan Nelson came? It spoiled the event, but that’s typical extremists for you. Its (ANU) not as political as you might think – like i’m quite politically biased, but no one from my “group” enforces our political influence on anyone.
9) If I feel the need to sing loudly or strum loudly at night, will this affect anybody's health (apart from mine)?
Noise down at 10pm, might be good to take advantage of the music rooms etc. I play music loud, people just tell me to turn it down and i’ll respect that. We’re all in there together lol
10) My mum was thinking of getting a laptop for doing work in my room as opposed to running down to the labs. I'm doing Arts/Law. Wise choice?
Have a read of the other articles about that.
I say yes, but people have lasted without one. Comes down to economics, and how lazy you are. They can be a distraction too. If worst came to worse you could by an average desktop and have it delivered to Johns for less than $800
11) Do many people play games on the ANU Intranet? Are they allowed?
Yes, unsure
I always play counterstrike (because my laptop is crap), but there’s WOW, CStrike-Source and any other game you can think of.
12) Is there any place where you can surf any part of the web for free?
In the computer rooms (everywhere except your room essentially) you are allocated 10mb a day. Also places like the Manning Clarke Centre have unlimited internet via wireless, but if you abuse it they will call you up for “chats”
13) How much do you recommend I should deposit for download usage?
I put $20 down, id say $20 minimum for your first day, it doesn’t take much effort to add more – it just is really annoying if you run out and you’re halfway through an assignment – and it’s a weekend!
14) Does the 2c/mb download usage count for loading pages as well?
Anything that is sent back to your computer (download) is charged (except from .anu.edu.au domain). Uploads are not charged. Although i don’t know much, yes that includes page data.
15) I'm looking at upgrading my bank account. How much do you think I'll be spending each year? Do you think it's wise to keep money in your room?
I’m not too sure, you can survive off about $20-30 a week, but if you want to buy other stuff you would need more. There is a thread about this too. Jason had some insightful information from memory.
Money – keep it hidden, i don’t keep more than about $200 in more room a) because you don’t need much more as a poor uni student and b) large amounts of cash is asking for trouble. Get a debit card if need be, almost everything except for “a night out” can be put on a debit card.
People who have access to your room
a) Cleaners
b) The Duty tutor
c) Senior Residents (they have a key to the people on their “hallway” only)
d) Maintenance
e) Head of college etc
f) you
I haven’t had any problems with any of the above, just be smart. Its better not to leave an “opportunity” for people to take things
16) I'll also be bringing along some ID. Is it wise to stow these papers in your room? Do I need a safe chained to the desk in my room, or will just leaving them in a cardboard box suffice to keep away thieves?
I just hid them well. Safe will probably just attract thieves if people know you have it.
17) How often do you have robbery incidents?
Once happened last year at johns. It happened during lunch when people left their doors unlocked. The thieves got 2 laptops, ipods, wallets etc. Its pretty obvious stuff to be honest – lock your door when you leave the room.
18) Can I add you on MSN?
Yeah pm me and ill add u
19) What leadership roles/organisational roles do they have?
There is 1st year representative for the RA (residents association). The others are for 2nd years and above.
20) Are their any 'weird' or non-comformist people in Johns?
Yes, is suppose, but everyone is different, and everyone has a group of friends to join into.
There’s 320 residents, so it will be pretty easy to find a group to join into
21) Do emos actually exist? At ANU?
A) Yes, b) not that ive seen – well “true” emos anyway. They mostly live around Guarema place (spelling) in civic if you’re into that culture
22) Is it possible to appeal if you do not receive the accommodation that you want?
I don’t believe so, that would be something that you would have to sort out with the chick from anu accom. If you didn’t get into what you wanted, my advice would be to get involved for the 1st sem as much as possible, then beg the respective colleges to take you for 2nd sem. You might like it in the 1st college after all too.
23) How do you find out the cost of each unit?
Unit? Hall/college
http://accom.anu.edu.au/UAS/1328/ve...Summary 2008.pdf?branch=main&language=default
24) Is the atmosphere at Johns really all hunky dory and full of happy hippies, or do you have 'incidents'?
Define incedents...
Of course theres going to be drama – its not going to be fake and “plastic” faces. People have their own problems etc – deal with it in different way.
When you give me a definition i’ll probably answer that one off the main forum.
Bottom line – no place will be perfect, johns isn’t like that “stepford wives” movie lol
25) Do we have assemblies or strict schedules in Johns?
Everything is optional- except for all of college meetings held about once a term for half an hour (and they don’t mark the role too lol, but its expected that you show up). Its uni now, its your life – you can do (almost) whatever you want.
26) Do you know of any good computers to buy?
Dell, asus <see other thread>
27) If people can 'accidentally' walk into your room whenever they like, will you ever get any peace?
You’ve got a door lock, most people will respect your privacy if you want to be left alone. Also everyone knows if you need time to yourself – and at one point or another we all do.
28) I'm an all-rounder at sports. Any recommendations for what sports I could play?
They will tell you on the second day what there is on offer
29) What different competitions do you have?
WE have interhall sports competition and interhall arts comeption
Sports – pretty obvious
Arts – chess, debating, trivia, talent show?, etc
30) I can debate a little and I know a little bit about chess and have had a little experience at acting. I'm all-rounded in pretty much everything. Is it possible to participate in everything?
Sure why not lol, You’ll get the right balance eventually, just keep in mind you are here for a degree too. I advise to go for as much as possible, then see what suits.
Sorry, did I annoy you with all these questions? Lol
Nah its fine lol, a bit longer than half an hour though
