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Welcome to the first edition of MacBrain: the Human Sciences

Newsletter. Over the next four weeks Mentors@Macquarie will be releasing

Faculty specific newsletters to give you a run down on some invaluable facts you may

have missed or forgotten over the busy orientation period. Let’s be honest - there were too many condoms, ice-blocks and frisbees being handed out during O-Week for you to remember that there were lectures being run as well. Now O-Week has come to a sad end (our mentor Michael just can’t come to grips with it), and you’re probably realising that you do in fact need to pay for things around campus, start course readings, and (I’m going to say it...) go to class. In saying this, our monumental first edition will focus on your lectures.

You may have realised by now that all your university lectures follow a generic rule of thumb: Sit down. Shut up. Listen. What’s wrong with this picture? If you’re thinking, “that’s a dictatorship!” then you are incorrect - because it totally is. The problem here is that there may be lots of questions that remain unanswered. Whether you’re scared to ask the lecturer who spits when they talk. Or you don’t know who to go to with your problems. You not only have your Mentor’s email address but now you will also have this newsletter to guide you along the way for the next four weeks.

However before you read on, are you studying education, psychology and/or speech and hearing? If so, congratulations! You not only survived your first two weeks of university life, but you are currently exactly where you need to be! If you’re not studying within one of the aforementioned degrees, you

are most welcome to read on and live vicariously through the lives of other fabulous Human Sciences students. You know you want to...

Until next week,

Your Editor,

Stacey :)

Welcome to the first edition of the MacBrain Newsletter.

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How to make friends in lectures: according to Francesca.

When choosing your target, first survey the field. Avoid prey in large groups as they may become protective of their own, but if you are confident feel free to attack and assert yourself as “the Alpha”. Upon approaching your

target, move cautiously with no sudden movements in order to not startle them and cause them to flee. Remember

prey can smell fear so try not to exude desperation.

Maintain a minimum distance of 15cm so as to not encroach onto their personal territory and make them feel threatened. This includes unwelcome physical contact and not-so-accidental touching. Let the reader note that all claws, fangs and sleazy pick up lines will lead to failure. Let the small talk flow with the proper amount of banter and just a touch of quirk so as to remain memorable to the target.

If you have succeeded in convincing them that you are an optimum candidate for potential friendship a subtle turn of conversation to Facebook will guarantee you a 94% chance of a friend request provided your name is stalkable. Should this method fail, cut your losses and just smile (without being creepy) and say hi – you’ve got nothing to lose! Good luck and happy hunting!

Shayaan, how do you prepare for your lectures?

Ahhh, lectures. The heart and soul of any university. We go in, make notes and then, we get amazing HDs for our assessments. That or your lecturers’ oration comes in one ear and goes out the other whilst you sit doodling over your notes. Therefore, I am using this opportunity to pass unto thee my seven commandments (a.k.a good-will gestures):

1. Read the unit outline to know which topic/s will get covered.2. Be up-to-date with past lectures. Summarise/revise any past

notes and read your allocated readings.3. Have your current lecture slides printed off. Nothing is more

irritating than trying to scribble down each word before the lecturer skips to the next slide.

4. Before the lecture, go over your lecturer’s notes and make a mark against anything that doesn’t make sense. If it’s still confusing you after the lecture, send your teacher an email.

5. Arm yourself with a highlighter and felt-tip pen to make your notes stand out.

6. For laptop users: avoid logging onto Facebook during class. No seriously.

7. Have water and a snack on hand in case you get peckish.

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“How to lose concentration in a lecture in 10 ways.” Directed by Stacey. Starring Kate Hudson and

Matthew McConaughey.

1. Eat really loudly - we’re talking carrots, Maltesers & Doritos. 2. Play COD on your laptop. Kill your friend. Cry with remorse.

3. Text anyone who will respond. Ex partners. Your dentist. Mum.4. Stare at the clock. Every second. Literally.

5. Draw special pictures on your friends lecture notes circa Jonah’s dictation in Summer Heights High.

6. Fall off your lecture table (Note: this may actually induce concentration if you fall because you’re asleep, and said fall wakes you up).

7. Listen to Katy Perry on your iPod, close your eyes and envision yourself wearing a candy-frosted, cone-shaped bra.

8. Interrupt the lecturer and entire class by asking irrelevant questions.9. Take 10 different coloured pens and highlighters. Endeavour to use them all. 10. Write down everything the lecturer says including “now we will take a 5

minute break so please be back in your seats by 11:04”.

Alex, what if I don’t understand the lecture material?

So, you’re sitting in your lecture and thinking ‘WTF?!?!’ or ‘How the hell am I supposed to understand this?!’. Stay calm and don’t worry, as there are tonnes of ways you can get some extra help! Here are some steps to follow if you are finding the material challenging!

1. Trawl the Unit Outline - They usually include some additional resources/readings, which could help you out!

2. Re-listen to it on iLecture - sometimes, listening to it twice might clear up your confusion.

3. Clarify material in your tutorials - that’s what they’re for! 4. Check out Blackboard - Lecturers will often post up extra

resources there, and check out the discussion board too! Most of the time there is someone else with the same question as you!

5. Note down the consultation times and email addresses of the tutors and lecturers/conveners - They don’t mind answering questions, especially if the content is tricky.

6. Keep an eye out for PAL sessions - not all units have these but Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) sessions are study sessions run by students who have already done the unit. If your unit does offer it, go and check it out!

7. Numeracy Centre for Maths/stat subjects! Drop in whenever you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by the content! Trained tutors will be able to answer your questions, and it’s free!

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What are good note taking techniques, Nathan?

Out of all the different classes at university, lectures are definitely my favourite! There’s really nothing to it. You walk in, look around for familiar faces (if there aren’t any, the most attractive faces work well too), you sit yourself down and have

a quick chat until you are rudely interrupted by that electronically enhanced voice. Would now be a good time to start taking notes?

Very few can absorb every speck of information that a lecturer throws at them. That is why it is so important to always take notes. However, when it comes down to note taking, many wonder whether one way is more efficient than another?

Note taking really does come down to personal preference. Whether you make dot points, draw pictures, create a flow diagram or turn your lecturer into a cartoon, your lecture notes are there to trigger larger concepts that are locked up in your memory. Even something as small as a single keyword can release an amazing amount!

So don’t be cocky and think you will remember everything that your lecturer says. Get out that notepad, exercise book, laptop or scrap paper and go with what’s comfortable!

So Michael, what steps do you take if you miss a lecture?

• Firstly, DON'T. • Secondly, How could you? Lecturers are AWESOME! Some anyway.• Lastly, do not fret, as there are ways to recover what valuable information

you missed out on!

Log on to Blackboard (BB) and download the lecture slides from the lecture you missed! If they aren't up, email your lecturer directly and give them a piece of your mind (on second thought don't, academics scare easily), they then should inform you of their laziness. Once you have hold of the Lecture material, click on the iLecture tab in BB and listen to the Lecture via online streaming. The benefit of this is that you can rewind, fast forward and play around with the

Lecturer's voice. Another amazing option is to talk to your tutors about the content of the lecture you missed. Email them directly using your student email account to set up a meet and they'll gladly answer all your questions :)

This may be harsh, but use your friends’ knowledge of the lecture as a last resort if necessary. All in all, don't miss a lecture!

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Francesca! How important is it to attend lectures and why?

What with the ingenious invention that is ‘iLecture,’ attending lectures can seem a little redundant for internal students in

today’s techno-savvy society. Despite the definite perks of iLecturing if you lead a busy work life outside of uni, attending

lectures can be quite important for those that actually have the time. If the lecturer tends to gesticulate or use physical examples – or even heaven forbid: the lecture doesn’t record – then you may regret having that two-hour sleep in.

Attending lectures is also a good way to ask the lecturer (relevant) questions while you have their attention and you are far less likely to lose concentration and see what’s new on Facebook. Lectures are also an excellent way of catching up with your friends and meeting new people, not to mention a major part of the university experience!

However, for those that in all seriousness cannot attend lectures remember to enrol in External Composite classes whereby you iLecture from home but you still come into uni for tutorials.

Next week: Assignments

Wednesday 16th March we will be sending out the second edition of MacBrain with a focus on ‘Assignments’.

If you have any questions you’d like answered regarding your assignments, or any genius tips that you would like

to share with your peers, send an email through to humsciencementors@mq.edu.au

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Mentors are people too! Michael FajardoHey Guys! Michael's the name, but I like to spell it Mikool because it looks awesome-r! I'm a BPsych student aiming for honours and am a total study freak, surprisingly I still have

friends :P If you see me don't be shy to scream our my name :D x

Nathan MillarHi! My name is Nathan and I’m a 2nd year student studying Science with education. I absolutely love basketball, playing the guitar and singing. But most of all, just hanging with my friends is the best thing ever! If you ever see me around campus, say hello! (Editor’s note: Nathan is an AMAZING g-tar player!) Shayaan MalikHi, I’m Shae and I study the awe-inspiring subject known as psychology! I like avocadoes, watching ‘Lord of the Rings’ over and over again, and hanging out with my fellow mentors. You are most likely to find me at T2 or at your local bookshop. J Francesca EnriquezHi, I’m Frankie! I’m a second year student doing a Bachelor of Arts-Psychology and loving it so far! I love learning languages and travelling despite the fact I have zero sense of direction. I have a not-so-secret fetish for crazy costumes and the awfully bad habit of waving at strangers.

Alex SnoekHey! My name is Alex and I’m in my third year of a BA/BEd (Primary) majoring in Education and Development Studies and Culture Change. I can often be found at the MQ shop buying apple guava juice, at the Ubar or hitting up the gym! I’m looking forward to this year at Macquarie, especially since I’ll be starting my prac!

Stacey YounanI’m in my final year of a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts - Psychology. I love to travel, I love people, and I want nothing more than world peace (seriously). Oh, and my perfect date would have to be April 25th. Because it’s not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket.