By Anna Tallis. Photography by Robert Fletcher

Welcome to Orientation Week, the five days we want to hate, as it signifies the end of summer holidays, but can’t help loving for its fun and frivolity.

Facts

Orientation Week, more commonly known as O’Week, is the annual student celebration for the beginning of another academic year. This year O’Week runs between Monday 22 and Friday 26 of February. The week encourages new students and motivates those older students to kick back into university life.

A program of academic and social activities is set up to involve everyone. Across campus, tents are set up to introduce academic services, sporting teams, faculties and clubs.

O’Camp

O’Week officially kicks off at O’Camp. This two-night extravaganza is held annually for first year students. Previous students have raved about the excellent organization, and have come home with many new friends and lots of stories (the juiciest of which they won’t share – what happens at O’Camp stays at O’Camp).

Preliminary Classes

James McWha, the University of Adelaide’s Vice-Chancellor, starts the week with a new student welcome in Bonython Hall. The week continues with preliminary classes held in various lecture theatres. These classes are organised through each of the different faculties, and you will be informed prior to O’Week as to which ones you must attend. Lecturers and tutors will outline your course, the assessment guideline you will be faced with, and which books to buy.

Prior to O’Week students should go through their course timetables. These will outline the time and location of those preliminary classes. Between their classes students should look through On Dit and other AUU publications to make sure they experience all of the activities on offer.

O’Week

Excitement fills the air during O’Week as new and old students gather on the Barr Smith lawns. Cheap lunch always draws crowds. People lie around listening to the live music, with the odd Popeye cruise in-between sets (unlimited alcohol for the duration of the cruise makes this more popular than it sounds). Other iconic, entertainments include ‘White Fear’, where students race to see who can drink four litres of milk first (the human stomach can hold two litres – you figure it out).

The past has shown organizers arrange day and night time activities throughout the week. During the day the lawns are filled with events such as imitation sumo-wrestling, competitions and stalls with free goods. At night the crowds are entertained with Fringe festival acts, bands, DJs and movies.

O’Ball

March screams warm summer nights, full of fun and drinking festivities. The AUU holds the annual campus concert called O’Ball. This festival is a fantastic musical event comprising of local acts, topped off with some of Australia’s best performers.

The first announcement brings New South Wales’ Space Invadas, Cloud Control and Queensland’s Yves Klein Blue. Further acts announced include; The Water Slides and Hot Little Hands. Director of O’Ball, Jonathan Brown says “This is one event to definitely keep your ear out for as the continually evolving lineup of great music acts and local DJs continues to impress.”

O’Ball is being held on Saturday 20 March from 5pm at the University Cloisters. That’s right, state Election Day. Tickets will be available right up to the night. Please visit www.oball.com.au for further information.

Skullduggery

Medical students are known for their drinking, and ‘Skullduggery’ is their opening event for the year. Like any experienced host, they provide a great atmosphere, superb location and excellent drink specials every year.

Once held in the University Cloisters, its popularity has forced it to move to HQ nightclub on West Terrace. These quarters accommodate the large rowdy crowds and the multiple bars cater for the university drinking spirit.

Prepare for a big night of drinking and dancing with all of your friends and fellow university students.

Tickets can be purchased during O’Week at the Medical Students stand, or online through www.Skullduggery.org.

Orientation week is a long-standing university tradition. The information sessions are educational and important, whilst the entertainment and activities are varied enough to provide fun for all. Previous years have proven to be a huge success with students and lecturers coming along to experience the campus culture Adelaide is famous for.

See you there.