#uniguides

[vividvolunteering-blog]

Courses and Careers Day was definitely a step up from regular UniGuide duties and was easily one of the more challenging days I had while volunteering in 2018. However, I was lucky to be posted on a Help Desk with two other amazing Uniguides who made the process a lot more fun and enjoyable. We were able to assist so many new students and their families who definitely made the stress of organising and planning more than worth it. 

[vividvolunteering-blog]

After all of the training and preparation to become a UniGuide, the first proper day of being in the role had finally arrived! Having something quick to eat at the Uni Cafe was followed by a very detailed briefing of the day's events. I knew I was going to fit right in when the UniGuide leaders were up front and singing along to old-school Disney music songs on the projector while waiting for everyone to arrive.

Two full days of Orientation went by in a fun and fast-paced blur!

[uoauniguides]

Hey, vampire hunter. You're in the wrong game! Oh you're just Russian. Ok then. #uoahvz #humans #zombies #uniguides #universityofauckland (at University of Auckland Clock Tower)

[uoauniguides]

Did you know this #structure at the #quad was called 'Twins'? Someone recently found out too... #twins #art #architecture #design #sculpture #uniguides #uniguides2015 #potd #university #uoa #auckland #nz

[uoauniguides]

#uniguides2015

[uoauniguides]

Video from the mega UniGuide hangout!

#uniguides2015

[uoauniguides]

UniGuide Mega Group hangout, pizza & Jeopardy- As told by Mary & Agnes

We were strangers who didn't know each other before, but getting involved in the UniGuide programme gave us a chance to make new friends. Also being the first faces of the University of Auckland to welcome the new students, what can we say???It was an amazing experience and such a privilege. We got to meet some awesome students at training who were super keen to help the first year students. Then we met the cheerful first years who just couldn't wait to start uni. We are just so happy that we met lots of new people and made a lot of good memories.

Our UniGuide hangouts with the first years were mostly like ‘best friend’ hangouts during lunch time. In week one, we had Asian cookies and a birthday cake, and had that kind of conversation that first years always had on first week: about how far the lecture theaters are. Week two, we had coffee and we talked about what lectures were about from some courses. Found it quite funny and had a laugh with the students! 

Then in week 3,  we had a mixed hangout with our UniGuide friends and their groups (Group 7, Group 14 and Group 15). Our turnout was incredible it was last for 2 hours. Had pizza/chips/drinks/lollies. After that, we had a serious and competitive game of Jeopardy between the first years and UG in  iSpace. Us UniGuides were all blown away by the new students. They were so good and we didn't even want to stop. Such an amazing feeling when we saw the first years feel comfortable in the University environment.

Mary said that it’s great being a friendly face in the crowd so they are more comfortable in Uni. When you see them taking your advice and putting themselves out there, the feeling is indescribable and emotional.

Besides the indescribable feeling, new friends and good memories, being a UniGuide made us BIG SISTERS. First year is a challenge, and we too are students, so we've been there before in that situation. Now it’s time to set an example for the new students so they can set another example to other students and tell them that University is not scary at all.

- Agnes & Mary, Group 13

#uniguides2015

[uoauniguides]

Tales from Engineering UniGuides- Leon and Farmehr

Being a UniGuide really gave us the opportunity to help out the 1st years and meet and help people studying the same degree (Engineering) and in the same position we were at in the past. It gave us great satisfaction letting the 1st years know some tips and tricks at uni. 

We've all become good friends with each other at the hangouts over the past few weeks, and every time our new students see us around campus, they always stop and say hi (:

We tried to make hangouts fun and interesting. The first week we held 2 hangout sessions to make sure everyone could come along and ask us any questions they had. We brought chocolate and played some card games at both sessions. 

Playing games turned out to be popular, so we decided to play Jenga at our week 2 hangout – that was great fun!

- Leon & Farmehr, UniGuide Group 31.

#uniguides2015