Getting through orientation week (O-Week)

Orientation Week or 'O-week' is the name given to the week of orientation activities at the start of the university or TAFE semester. While O-week can be a whole lot of fun, it can also be a time of mixed emotions as you adjust to life away from home while you are making new friends and having new experiences.

Getting involved in activities

O-Week is a great way to become involved and settle into uni or TAFE and there's often many activities during the week, such campus tours, bands, special demonstrations and parties. A lot of activities may be going on around you and it may help you to become involved and attend some of these. If you feel overwhelmed remember to take some time out and relax. Check out the fact sheet on Relaxation for some helpful tips.

Making friends

During O-Week there is often a wide variety of stalls set up by special interest and society groups so it's a great opportunity to meet new people and make friends. The groups are mostly uni or TAFE based and have regular social activities throughout the year.

Managing alcohol during O-Week

You may find that drinking alcohol plays a prominent role in the activities of O-week. Here are some suggestions to keep yourself safe when drinking:

• Don't drink and drive.
• Avoid mixing drugs and alcohol.
• Don't leave your drink; it may be that someone could add something to your drink.
• If you are on medication, read the instructions to make sure it is safe to have alcohol with the medication. You may need to speak to a doctor if you are not sure.
• Don't wander off alone, particularly if you are in an unfamiliar place.
• Avoid going off with people you are not friends with, particularly when you have had a few drinks.
• Avoid swimming after drinking.

Feeling pressure to drink?

When friends are drinking, you may feel pressured to drink more than you feel comfortable with. You are the only one who knows your limits. Some ideas to help you stop drinking discreetly may be:

• avoid drinking in rounds
• order water at the same time
• leave your last drink full
• drink mixers rather than straight spirits
• move away from the drinkers by going for a dance or having a game of pool.

It is OK to be a non-drinker. You have your reasons for not wanting to drink so try and be firm and stick by them.

Helping a friend who has had too much to drink

If a friend has had too much to drink, there are a number of things you can do to make sure they are safe.

Look out for them - If they need to lie down make sure it is in a safe place.

Don't leave someone if they have passed out - It is important to make sure they are breathing and their airways are clear.

Call an ambulance (000, if you live in Australia) - If someone has stopped breathing or can't stop vomiting call an ambulance immediately.

Drink water - If you are helping a friend lie down or putting them to bed it is a good idea to get them to sip some water.

As a guide it is a good idea to treat someone, as you would like to be treated if you had had too much to drink.

For more information check out the fact sheet What to do in an emergency.

Sexual harrassment

Many universities and TAFE's have a member of staff appointed or a counsellor to speak to if you have been sexually harassed on campus. Alternatively you can speak to your GP, community health nurse or you can ring Lifeline on 13 11 14.