Letter from a friend

Studying at university should be one of the most stimulating and enjoyable times in a Physics student's life. Over the last few years, several studies within UNSW have focused on the experiences of undergraduate students at university and their reasons for choosing to study particular courses. It has been recognised that innovative and interesting teaching is not the sole predictor of success. Many first year students, in particular, need special assistance to help with the transition to university, and students in the School of Physics have been fortunate to have a First Year Office with academic and administrative staff devoted to their particular needs for many years. However, no such office existed to continue the support for upper year students. To try and fill this gap and to provide a more "human" face for the School, the position of Physics Friend was created.

The role of a professional friend is a varied one. One of the main roles is to act as a "one stop shop" for assisting students to negotiate the administrative hurdles of the university. This has been especially important in a year which has seen the introduction of the New South Student database and a change in many of the university's procedures. I have also been involved with promoting Physics as a career, through writing brochures, answering questions and attending careers markets and open days. One of the major promotion events of the year was our display at "Scifest" at Australian Technology Park during Science Week in May. A dozen students and hands-on Physics experiments from of the School entertained and educated thousands of primary and high school students during the four-day event.

I have also provided support to Physoc, the Physics Student's society. 2000 was a very active year for the Society, beginning with a weekend camp at Port Stephens which allowed students from all the years to get to know one another better. Other activities included lunchtime barbeques and pizza lunches and a joint trivia night with the Physocs of the University of Sydney and the University of Technology, Sydney. The achievements of the year were celebrated with the end-of year dinner in November, attended by many of the students and staff of the school.