Ping! Edition 22 - 4 September 2019

Dear Student

Ping! is your news from Flinders University in the one email, every week of semester. In this edition:

WIN 1 of 10 coffee vouchers. Find the 'student support' section
Got a great idea? Here’s how to tell us
Most popular online study tools and resources
R U Ok?
FUSA Annual General Meeting
Flinders Laneway – changes to access this weekend
FUSA Student Council Nominations open Monday

Justice of the Peace drop-in service extended
Ask Flinders unavailable between 5pm and 6pm
Asking R U OK? helps us connect with others
Out now: 2019 Library Satisfaction Survey results
Be a Better Human & Women’s Health Day
Uni Ball tickets selling fast
Flinders Things Pub Crawl

Got a great idea? Here’s how to tell us

The Student Ideas Gateway has launched. The Gateway is an official channel where you can provide ideas, feedback and opinions to the University, to improve the student experience. Through the website you can also see how student ideas are already being implemented at Flinders – one being the Student Ideas Gateway itself! For more information, or to submit your feedback or idea visit students.flinders.edu.au/studentideas

Most popular online study tools and resources

Through Ping, we asked students ‘what online tools or resources do you use to help you study’. Visit the student news blog to see the top responses as recommended by Flinders’ students!

R U Ok?

R U Ok? Day is next Thursday 12 September. The day is about meaningfully connecting with others and starting a conversation with anyone who may be struggling with life. You don't need to be an expert to reach out. Oasis Wellbeing Ambassador, Flinders student Adrienne says:

“R U Ok? Day reminds us that we all share the capacity to meaningfully connect with others, by taking the time to notice and to care.”

Visit the R U Ok? Day Website for tips on how to start a conversation. Or if you’re on campus next Thursday, you can also reach out to one of the wellbeing ambassadors. They’ll be at the R U Ok? Day events at Bedford Park and Sturt. Not on campus, or want more information about the support available? See the student blog for details of some of the free support available to all Flinders students.

FUSA Annual General Meeting

Do you like free food and giveaways? On Tuesday, 10 September there'll be free tasty treats and giveaways for you to enjoy while you hear all about what FUSA Student Council has been up to this year, at the FUSA AGM. See the Facebook event page for more information.

Flinders Laneway – changes to access this weekend

This weekend electrical work will be undertaken in the Flinders Laneway (map ref J8) to install some new festoon lighting. On Saturday 7 September the Laneway will be closed to pedestrians while the works take place. Please access the Library and the Hub through the Humanities courtyard. On Sunday 8 September restricted pedestrian access will be available. Please follow all signage in place. Access assistance is available by calling Security at any time on 8201 2880.

FUSA Student Council Nominations open Monday

Do you want to be a student leader and represent Flinders students in 2020? Would you like to make a meaningful contribution to University life? If you would like to use the next year to upskill, advocate for your peers and help give students the best experience whilst they study, then consider nominating for a FUSA Student Council position. Nominations open on Monday, 9 September for 16 positions to hold office from 1 December 2019 to 30 November 2020. More information will be available at fusa.edu.au/elections on Monday.

Justice of the Peace drop-in service extended

Do you have documents that require certification, or do you need to verify your identity? If so, please visit our Justice of the Peace Drop-In Sessions on campus.
Dates: Thursdays until 26 September 2019 | Time: 2.15pm – 3.45pm | Location: Room 168, First Floor of the Hub (next to Empire Times) | Services available: witness documents (e.g. affidavit/statutory dec), certify copies of original documents, certify/verify identity.

Reminder: Ask Flinders unavailable today between 5pm and 6pm

Students are advised the Ask Flinders online portal will be down for up to an hour between 5pm and 6pm today (Wednesday 4 September) due to planned maintenance. During the outage you won’t be able to submit a support request or view the FAQs on this site. Students wanting to request support through this portal should do so, outside of this timeframe.

Asking R U OK? helps connect us with others

With R U Ok? Day coming up, it’s a good time to think about our own mental wellbeing, and to reach out to others to see how they are doing. Making friends with other students can provide you with a good source of connection, support and motivation at Uni, all year-round. There are many ways you meet other students – see some below.

Join a Uni club/association or start your own. It's a great way to meet like-minded students.
Attend one of the many Oasis events during the semester, including; Wednesday Warmers, a Common Table, and morning tea. Just drop in, grab some free food and meet other students.
Join one of the 20 affiliated sporting clubs at Flinders. They cater for all levels of ability and interest.
Attend the FUSA social events throughout the year to meet fellow students in a social setting

You’ve found the winning article. Click here to enter the draw to win a free coffee.

	LANTITE workshops – get prepared LANTITE (the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education students) is an Australian Government test that teacher education students need to complete to graduate, and work in the teaching profession. The next LANTITE tests will be held from 8 to 17 November. The Flinders LANTITE Preparation Program is designed to help you prepare for the test, and includes workshops, resources and opportunities for individual support. Visit the student blog to register for one of the LANTITE preparation workshops scheduled during the upcoming mid-semester break.
	Student wellbeing initiative in partnership with SAHMRI EPSW and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute's (SAHMRI) Wellbeing and Resilience Centre are providing students with access to an online interactive wellbeing and resilience platform. EPSW students have been emailed a link to access Complete Mental Health - a free web-based program that provides personalised tips and techniques to build and improve mental health and wellbeing. If this is the second time you have participated, the platform will provide you with information about your change in mental health status over time. All personal information and responses will be de-identified and remain confidential.
	Teachers registration, Union perks and tax benefits session If you're a third year education student, this on-campus event will provide essential information on how to prepare yourself for the teaching profession including; teacher registration costs and requirements, tax benefits available to teachers and the perks available to Education Union members. Date: Monday 23 September \| Time: 10am - 1pm \| Location: Alere Function Centre, Level 2 Student Hub, Bedford Park (map ref H10). Find out more and book on CareerHub.

	Take off to France in January 2020 The Embassy of France in partnership with Flinders University is offering a unique opportunity for up to eight Science and Engineering students to experience cutting-edge educational experiences, industry visits, projects and French culture and language instruction while earning academic credit.Apply to Learn Without Borders for the Wasaa Academy Summer School New Trends in Information Technologies by 15 October. For information about eligibility and how to apply see the LWB webpage. Read more about the Wasaa Academy Summer School here.
	4 x $10,000 scholarships: chemical, mechanical & electrical engineering With the generous support of Nyrstar, the Playford Trust is offering up to four scholarships in 2020 to students entering their third-year of chemical, mechanical or electrical engineering. Valued at $10,000 per year for two years, the scholarships involve paid eight week work placements at Nyrstar's Port Pirie Smelter over the summer holidays. Recipients will also get the opportunity to work on technical projects to solve real problems and apply university knowledge in an industrial setting. Visit the Nyrstar Playford Trust scholarship webpage for more information.
	$7,000 scholarship available - final year electrical engineering students The Playford Trust in partnership with SA Power Networks is offering a $7,000 scholarship for an undergraduate student in their final year of an electrical engineering degree studying in the field of power engineering or asset management. The scholarship also offers summer vacation work experience. Visit the SA Power Networks Playford Trust scholarship webpage for info.
	3 x $9,000 Geoscience, Mining Engineering & Chemical Engineering Thanks to AusIMM/Playford Trust Minerals Industry Scholarships, three scholarships valued at $9,000 each are available to students entering: Honours year in Geoscience \| Fourth year in Mining Engineering \| Fourth year in Chemical Engineering (Minerals Processing). Visit the webpage for more information.

Want to be a part of the decision-making process in your College?

Apply now to be a Student Representative for your Course or College! By representing fellow students in academic matters, you would perform a vital role in ensuring student voice is meaningfully engaged when decisions that affect students are being made. It’s also a great chance to develop your own professional skills. See the Student Representation and Leadership Opportunities Board to view available positions and more information.


	Food trucks at Sturt! Spring has sprung! Students based at Sturt can take advantage of the warmer weather by enjoying a tasty meal from one of the food trucks on campus – Toly Vietnamese will be on campus today and Beyond India next week. For more info see flinders.edu.au/food


	Balancing work and study Now you’ve settled into the semester, you might be looking for part-time work. Or, if you already have a job, you may be thinking about picking up some extra hours. As part-time work can affect your studies, it’s important you balance work and study well. If you don't, it can impact your academic results and grade point average. It may also add to the duration (and expense) of your course. Visit the student blog page for things to keep in mind when balancing study and work.
	Monthly cuppa – Lantern Mooncake Festival Join the International Student Services (ISS) team at their monthly cuppa (afternoon tea) on Friday 13 September. ISS is working with Chinese Student & Scholar Association (CSSA) to celebrate the Lantern Mooncake Festival for a rich cultural experience of lanterns, chopsticks, paper cuttings, Chinese dance and traditional mooncakes on the day itself (13 September). It’s also popularly known as the Mid-Autumn Festival. Date: Friday 13 September \| Time: 3.00pm – 4.30pm \| Location: Oasis (map ref J7)
	Academic Referencing workshop Need help with academic referencing? International Student Services and the Student Learning Centre (SLC) are running an Academic Referencing workshop to help you improve your referencing skills. Date: Friday 13 September \| Time: 2.00pm – 3.00pm \| Location: North Theatre 1, Humanities Building \| Check your student email for more information.
	Kangaroo Island Tour Join ISS for the Kangaroo Island Tour from Saturday 21 to Sunday 22 September 2019 ($370 per person)Accompanied by two tour guides and an ISS Arrivals Team member. Read more.


2019 Library Satisfaction Survey results Thanks to everyone who responded to the recent Library Satisfaction Survey. You can see a summary of the survey results, what has been done to action your feedback already and the planned improvements underway as a result of the survey here.
We want your feedback! If you have feedback about the Ping! all student newsletter, we'd love to hear it. Email your feedback through to: student.experience@flinders.edu.au


Be a Better Human & Women’s Health Day Be A Better Human Day will be held in conjunction with Women's Health Day hosted by Flinders University Sport & Fitness! Visit the Be A Better Human stall in the Hub next Wednesday to learn about Be A Better Human. There’ll also be an opportunity to win prizes including T-shirts, tote bags, enamel pins, tea packs and vouchers (coffee, Spotify, Endota, Flinders Gym). Wednesday 11 September \| 10am – 2pm \| Bedford Park Hub
Uni Ball tickets selling fast You’ve got until Friday to grab your tickets for Flinders University's Annual Uni Ball! If you’re a Flinders student $50 (+ a small booking fee) will get you four hours of dancing, good times and a tasty canape and drinks package. This is one of the cheapest student Balls you'll see on campus. Grab your tickets here or for more info, see the Facebook event page.
Flinders Things Pub Crawl Welcome to the Upside Down....presented by FUSA! Friday 25 October. For more information see the Facebook event page.
Do you have an article for Ping? Students are invited to submit articles for Ping! if they meet the criteria outlined in the Ping! guidelines. Visit the Ping! page on the current students website to view the Ping! guidelines, FAQs and to submit an article.

The information contained in this newsletter is for general information purposes only. Flinders University makes every effort to ensure the information is up to date and correct, but makes no representations or provides no warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information contained in this newsletter. Flinders University does not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred by use of or reliance on the information provided.