Introductions

Freshers Week - O Week - Welcome Fest (or whatever your preferred term) is a strong part of this week's general atmosphere for me. Plenty of hubbub, stalls, freebies, people on campus and excitement in the air.

As a post-grad student, I've not been to campus for the extra-curricular offerings, only to attend compulsory introduction sessions for the Master of Teaching degree.

Billed to be 11am-2pm, concern for my hunger levels at this normally crucial eating period of the day was high and I wondered whether there might be light refreshments. Clearly I had forgotten there isn't much money in academia, so was grateful to be home by 1pm, able to enjoy an ancient grain salad with pickled watermelon, herbs, kalamata olives and houmous. Here's a recipe link if your mouth watered at that.

Main takeaways from the first entire Mteach cohort session as follows:

• #1 thing in teaching is relationships.

• Trust is important, both with yourself and others.

• Learning about teaching is an adventure - USYD is an innovative and cutting edge place to be, due its focus on research.

• There is lots of support available.

• There are more online learning platforms than expected.

• I wish there had been more blunt communication about LANTITE sooner, so that it could be completed in the first part of the year.

• PEX / Internship placements in year 1 are in pairs.

• Both research project and course design opportunities are available.

• There are two important census dates if you wish to withdraw without being charged.

Main takeaways from the music cohort session are below:

• The music cohort is roughly 18 people.

• The music curriculum 1 session time will be changed from 5-8pm to 1-4pm, await email confirmation. (It remained 5-8pm)

• The academic staff refer to different courses by number rather than name.

• Being on top of your student emails is essential for success.

• In 2025 there will be some Saturday teaching sessions.

• LANTITE is important.

• We are students at the Con and can use the facilities as such.

• We will have to play another instrument to our usual in ensemble pedagogy classes.

• The general vibe is good.

This week's throwback track is James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream.