FIRST YEAR HANDBOOK 2016
Thank you to our Gracious Sponsor,
2016 Griffith University Law Society First Year Handbook Contributors: Dimity Thoms | First Year Representative Sammy Toogood | President’s Welcome Genevieve Moore | First Year Experience Lizzie Dowrie | Mentoring Program Bria Sherrington & Cass Palmer-Field | Junior Legal Competitions Robert Kalaja | Getting Involved in Sports Alfred Jacksoon & Rachael Goodman | Law and a Social Life
Editors: Kathryn Townsend | Vice President Education Sammy Toogood | President
Griffith University Law Society | www.guls.org | 2016 1
Contents Presidents’ Welcome – Sammy Toogood .......................................................................................... 3 A Message from Your First Year Representative ............................................................................. 4 Traps for Young Players ...................................................................................................................... 6 First Year Experience – Genevieve Moore ........................................................................................ 8 Meet GULS ............................................................................................................................................. 9 Meet GULS – Education Portfolio .....................................................................................................10 Meet GULS – Education Portfolio .....................................................................................................11 Meet GULS – Administration Portfolio .............................................................................................11 Meet GULS – Administration Portfolio .............................................................................................12 Meet GULS: Activities Portfolio .........................................................................................................13 Meet GULS – Competitions Portfolio ................................................................................................14 Keeping Up With GULS ......................................................................................................................15 GULS Mentoring Program ..................................................................................................................17 Junior Legal Competitions .................................................................................................................19 Getting Involved in Sport ..................................................................................................................20 Law and a Social Life .........................................................................................................................21 First Year Treasure Hunt ...................................................................................................................22 Support Contacts ................................................................................................................................23 Getting Lost Around Campus? ..........................................................................................................26
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Presidents’ Welcome – Sammy Toogood Whether you’ve just graduated from High School, continuing study, decided to try something new, Welcome and Congratulations on being the 25th cohort to commence law at Griffith. First year of law can be daunting. It seems right from set go, there is pressure coming from every direction. Fear not, for GULS has your back. My name is Sammy and I am the 2016 President of the Griffith University Law Society. So how do we make this transition easier for you? Firstly, we make it easier by introducing you to coffee, if you haven’t been introduced already, come to the GULS office and we will get you well acquainted. Our local ‘hang’ is located in the law building, -2.07 and with quite a large amount of space we love meeting new people and having a chat, after all we are just student’s and love an excuse to have a chat. I can remember when I was in my first year and GULS seemed so scary. It was like they were so much older with all this knowledge and I didn’t even know what a ‘moot’ was. So don’t worry, we have all been where you are. My introduction to GULS was through social sports, which is offered each semester. I got to meet student’s of all years and have made some life-long friends. Along with sporting events, we host a number of social events, including the Law Ball, Gala and my favourite; the Dodgeball competition at the end of semester 1 (not much sporting skill required). GULS also aims to help you in all aspects of your degree and career paths. Specifically, for yourselves we have a mentoring program, of which to this day, my mentor has remained a great friend and a solid ‘advice giver’, a first year court visit/retreat, seminars and legal competitions. I also encourage you to come along to our other events and seminars, because, even if you don’t think you need to know what a PLT is, trust me, I wish I paid more attention in first year! I hope you find this guide helpful in some way, even if it is just to get to know some Goss about the members on GULS. If you ever have any questions, or you just want a chat, send me an e-mail at president@guls.org I promise I am not that scary. Enjoy the guide and hope to see you around the office, or at our very soon and upcoming events. Sammy
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A Message from Your First Year Representative - Dimity Thoms My name is Dimity and I am your First Year Representative for 2016 - this means that you will likely be seeing me around quite often this year. My role in the Griffith University Law Society is organising first year events, such as the first year seminar, which will provide all the essential tips and hints for surviving your first year of law. There are more than just handy seminars though, you’ll also get to experience a real trial when you go on the first year courthouse visit. If you see me around campus, feel free to come and say hi, I’m always up for a chat about study, uni life, life in general, literally anything. I remember my first week as a uni student quite well. I was nervous, frantic, unsure and doubtful. I wasn’t the only one though, and that was, albeit, comforting. Most first year uni students feel like this, and after a couple of tutorials and immersing myself in the uni life such as joining clubs, I met some great people and found a renewed sense of hope for the possibility of becoming a lawyer. If you’re feeling like this, don’t fret! There are plenty of people to talk to, and I’m always happy to have a chat about any concerns that you may have. First year law is one of the hardest years of your university life, but it’s also the best opportunity to meet as many people as possible, make some great new friends (and study habits), and have a remarkable first year experience. Some tips from your First Year Rep: 1.Time Management is crucial. If you haven’t already, buy a 2016 planner and start marking dates. 2.Prepare food. Days at uni can be long, and you don’t want to be running to the snack machine in between classes and spending all of your hard-earned cash. 3.SOCIAL EVENTS! GULS host some of the best social events on campus (not biased) and it’s one of the best ways to destress and meet some great new people. 4.Explore the campus. It isn’t easy to get lost at Nathan, but in between or before classes is a great time to get out, destress and appreciate the beautiful environment that Nathan has to offer. 5.Enter into any of the junior competitions that you can! Seize the opportunity to go to law firm/courtroom visits and hone some of the skills that you will be required of you as a lawyer!
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Traps for Young Players HopgoodGanim Lawyers You’ve done the hard yards at high school and are now studying law. Turn up to uni a few days a week, maybe work part-time, go out with friends, bit of stress around exams then 3 long months of summer holidays each year, before looking for a graduate job in your final year. Right? Not anymore. Regardless of Australia’s current economic outlook, the statistics for law graduates aren’t pretty. There are roughly 60,000 lawyers working in Australia1, but more than 12,000 law graduates hit the market every year – more than double the number of law graduates in 2001.2 The number of law schools in Australia has more than tripled since 1990, going from just 10 to 36. So what can you do to increase your chances of securing the role you want and what are some traps to avoid? 1. All LLBs/ BLaws are the same Not all law schools are considered equal and not even two degrees from the same law school will be considered equal. Work hard at achieving the best results you can achieve, even if this means you need to reduce your credit load so you can still comfortably fit in work, friends and other commitments. Give serious consideration to completing a double degree and what that second degree is. What additional qualification will help you to stand out from the crowd while also providing you with a valuable skill set? IT, Commerce or Science will help to set you apart. Psychology or Arts will not. 2. Focussing just on study It is essential to work, at least part-time, during university semesters. This demonstrates to potential employers that you have the ability to effectively manage your time and juggle competing priorities. It is also essential that you have a range of interests that you actively pursue outside of just study/ work to maintain a healthy balance in life. Some of these activities will also give you an opportunity to demonstrate your leadership, organisational skills or your ability to achieve something really great by working hard for it. 3. Looking for legal work in your final year of study Most mid and top tier law firms select the majority of their graduates from their vacation clerks and law clerks. Vacation clerk and law clerk opportunities tend to become available once you are in your second or third year of study. Smaller firms tend to take more law clerks and fewer vacation clerks. Don’t put your eggs all in one basket – try to get a range of experience from different legal employers if possible.
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http://www.smh.com.au/national/newscustom/law-of-the-jungle-lawyers-now-an-endangered-species-20141011-114u91.html http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/news/16023-law-graduate-unemployment-hits-record-high
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4. Discounting the importance of non-legal work Working at Woolworths, Gloria Jeans or McDonald’s provide fantastic customer service experience, time management, teamwork and problem solving. Make the most of these roles by taking pride in what you do, rather than treating it as ‘just a job’. 5. What happens at Vegas stays at Vegas Law firms employ you as a graduate, not because we want you as a graduate, but because we want you as a future lawyer. Becoming admitted is the only way you can become a lawyer. In preparing for your admission to the legal profession you will need to satisfy the Board that you are ‘currently of good fame and character’ and a ‘fit and proper person’. The onus is on you to disclose to the Board any matter that could influence its decision in relation to this. Failure to do so, if subsequently discovered, can have grave consequences, such as being refused admission or struck off the roll. Most law firms are fairly risk averse and don’t want to take a chance on someone who might not be able to practice as a lawyer. For example, speeding tickets, overpayments to you by Centrelink, drinking in a public place or ‘youthful high-jinks’ all need to be disclosed and can have more serious implications than you might first think. 6. All legal experience is good legal experience Not if it comes at the cost of your firm being conflicted off a matter because of your prior work experience. With so many law students completing vacation clerkships or other legal work, you will be exposed to real matters for real clients. Every now and then a law student will get the opportunity to work on a particular matter during one vacation clerkship and then a short time later be exposed to the same matter on the other side when they do a vacation clerkship at a different law firm. You need to be absolutely scrupulous and beyond reproach in these instances. Always let an employer know of what other vacation clerkships and so forth you have coming up, so they can take pre-emptive action to minimise the potential for conflict later on, as well as advising where you have just worked. 7. Being entrepreneurial is for marketing people, not lawyers The opportunities for developing and showcasing your entrepreneurial flair have never been better. Social media and e-stores allow for minimal start-up costs and are just one way you can develop your personal brand and demonstrate that you understand what it takes to run a business. 8. Plan B Always have a Plan B. Plan B might involve doing further specialised study that will make your skills unique. This doesn’t necessarily mean PLT. It might mean applying for roles outside of law. Start thinking about a Plan B now, not when you didn’t get the job offer you want. Do what you enjoy and you will perform well. Law is a marathon, not a sprint, so make sure you give yourself the best opportunity to work in a role you love by giving yourself the best foundation possible by avoiding these traps. 7
First Year Experience – Genevieve Moore Griffith Law School, first year… Help. At least that was what I was thinking as I walked to my first class. All this pent up excitement and terror, constantly reminding myself that ‘it was going to be ok’. But what did I know, the closest I’d ever come to being a law student, was binge watching suits and legally blonde. The bend and snap works every time right? It is hard to put into words the experience I had on that first day, and yet it was definitely nothing like what I expected. Scary? Yeah, I guess. Exciting? Definitely. Interesting beyond what I could have imagined? For sure. Coming into law school not straight out of high school is a different experience to most. When meeting people, I can’t compare what my formal was like the year before, how exciting it might be to turn 18 and just generally slide into easy conversation of something we had in common. But that’s it, every student in that room with me had something in common. They wanted to study law, whether to become a solicitor, barrister, politician and just because. We were gathering with a common goal or interest. There is such passion amongst those studying law, it is easy to get intoxicated by the experience. Each lecturer and tutor warmly greeting you, trying to make you feel like they will personally guide you through this experience. An experience that you’ve anticipated since you saw the acceptance into the course. This whirlwind of a year took me on many twists and turns, the main point I would like to make though is that it’s worth it. Every minute, all the assignments, the group participation marks and the open book exams. Each day you absorb more than you did the day before. You are surrounded by like minded individuals that help to encourage this desire to learn that has yet to be sated. There is so much to be involved with in the first year that it is hard to keep track, between the sports, the competitions, the Law social calendar is one to be admired. Some advice though, take the opportunities presented to you. Not only will you make great friends you will share in something that you will value for the rest of your university experience. Take the time while you can. You will not regret it.
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Meet GULS The Griffith University Law Society (affectionately called GULS) is a student organisation dedicated to supporting the diverse needs of law students. As the largest club on campus, catering to hundreds of members, the GULS committee acts as a key student body nurturing the development of all students, whether it is in academic, professional development, competitions, socials or just having a friendly ear. The GULS committee caters to these needs through developing a number of fantastic initiatives throughout the year, such as social events, educational guides and programs, on campus law competitions and opportunities to compete nationally, sporting clubs and events, careers and first year support.
President – Sammy Toogood president@guls.org Hey, I'm Sammy, the President of GULS for 2016. My job is to make sure that everything runs smoothly and brilliantly so you guys can enjoy the many workings of the committee. Feel free to add me on facebook, send me mail by pigeon carrier or just have a chat if you see me around; you will most likely find me in the office, drinking coffee, pretending to be busy. I enjoy all things beach, Potter fan, all sports, ice-cream and list making.
Vice President (Finance): Caitlin Mahervp.finance@guls.org Hello! My name is Caitlin and I am the VP Sponsorship and Finance for 2016. This year is my fourth and final year of my single degree. Next year I will be released into the wild to fend for myself as a semi-functioning adult. Wish me luck! You will likely be seeing my face around quite a bit this year so don't be a stranger, come and say hi!
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Meet GULS – Education Portfolio Vice President (Education) - Kathryn Townsend vp.education@guls.org
Hey guys, My name is Kathryn Townsend and I’m your VP Education for 2016. I’m in my third year of a dual degree in Law/Government and International Relations. My job is to assist the entire education portfolio, including the Mentoring Officer, First Year Representative, Equity Officer, Careers Officer and the Education Officers. If you have any questions relevant to that or law school in general don’t be afraid to ask me.
Mentoring Officer: Lizzie Dowrie internal.edu@guls.org
Hey everyone, my name's Lizzie Dowrie and I'm the Mentoring Officer for 2016! I'm in my fourth year of Law/Government and International Relations and I love dogs, pasta and travelling.
First Year Representative: Dimity Thoms firstyearrep@guls.org
Hi all! I'm Dimity and I am your very own first year representative for 2016. My role on GULS is coordinating first year related events and encouraging you all to get involved with the great events that GULS has to offer, whether that be competitions, social events, educational seminars, or just coming to the GULS office to have a chat!
Careers Officer: Clare Shortt careers@guls.org
Hi everyone! I'm Clare, your Careers Officer for 2016. I'm in charge of making the Careers Guide, helping out with Careers week and anything else that is career-related. I love animals and would love to do something in Environmental law or Animal law.
Equity Officer: Caragh Morgan equity@guls.org
I’m the Equity Officer for GULS this year. I ha ve previously completed a Bachelor of Psychology and worked with children and young people in out-of-home care in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. I am now in final year of Law (graduate entry) and runs a small business face painting and dressing up in Disney costumes for children's birthday parties!
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Meet GULS – Education Portfolio Education Officer: Madison Edwards educationofficer@guls.org
Hi, I'm Madi and I'm studying Law and Government & International Relations. I am President of the Debating Society and Education Officer of the Law Society. I am here to help you out with any problems with your degree, be it lecturers, tutors or any concerns that you have for your education. Also, I'm sure to have an endless supply of sugary sweets.
Education Officer: Avery Schoen educationofficer@guls.org
Hey, I'm Avery and I'm doing a Bachelor of Laws/Psychology. I'm one of the education officers for GULS so feel free to come to me about subject info etc. The most important piece of advice I can give you is that if you want good coffee go to G's or if you're too lazy to walk up there go the Enternet cafe. Alternatively, if you’re not a snob there is plenty of coffee available in the GULS office for free.
Meet GULS – Administration Portfolio Vice President (Administration) - Rhys Kasper vp.administration@guls.org
Hi my name is Rhys Kasper and I am in my fifth year of a double degree. I am your 2016 Vice President of Administration for GULS. With the help of my portfolio I manage all social media, most publications and the website. This year we will bring new elements to our online platforms and hope to introduce our very own Law School hoodies! Get keen for an amazing year of law!
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Meet GULS – Administration Portfolio Publications Officer: Maddison Barker publications@guls.org
My name is Maddison Barker I am a second year Law/Government and International Relations student. As one of the publication officers it is my job to give you all the law school goss. Each publication will have inspirational success stories from alumni, survival tips from experienced law students and great stuff to get involved in aside from study.
Publications Officer: Aaron Payne publications@guls.org
Hey, I’m Aaron and I study Law/Government, and International Relations. It’s hard to keep track, but this is my fifth year studying law. An enjoyable evening for me is being all set up in bed with red wine, ice-cream and Netflix. In what will likely be GULS most dynamic duo, I’m the second half of the Publications Team, which means it’s our job to keep you updated on GULS’ activities with pretty documents.
IT Officer: Josiah Lee it@guls.org
Hi, I’m Josiah and I will be your GULS IT officer for 2015. Congratulations on starting law school! I am working on building a whole new website for everyone to enjoy, and hopefully make it really easy to keep up with the latest news, tips and events for GULS. Law school can be tough so find time to have fun, relax and de-stress.
Marketing Officer: Teighler Shaw marketing@guls.org
Hi everyone !! My name is Teighler Shaw and this year I will serve as your co-marketing officer alongside Tal Szumer Menashe. I am currently studying a Bachelor of Laws however previously undertook studies in Government and International relations for a year and a half. I look forward to meeting and introducing many of you to GULS, a great committee committed to helping each law student in a variety of aspects over the course of their degree.
Marketing Officer: Tal Szumer Menashe marketing@guls.org
Hi All! I'm Tal and I am one of the CoMarketing Officers for GULS. I am also heading into my second year of Law/GIR for those of you who will want to find me. Please feel free to come ask me any questions in class or out about GULS membership, events, competitions, or maybe even some Hottie's name sitting down the row from you and if I don't know the answer myself I can help you find out :D
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Meet GULS - Activities Portfolio Vice President (Activities) - Isaac Buckland vp.activities@guls.org
Hi lovelies! My name is Isaac Buckland and I am the 2016 GULS VP Activities. A little about me though, I am in my third year of a Bachelor of Law/Bachelor of Government and International Relations, and I also study a Diploma of Languages in Spanish! Stating a fun fact about yourself is hard, but I guess I could say that I love shopping, I love coffee dates and I love travel! Oh, and of course having a drink ;)
Socials Convenor: Rachael Goodman socials@guls.org
Hi everyone, my name is Rachael, I study straight law and am coming into my second year of law after dropping from a double in psychology. I am one of your social convenors for 2016!
Law Revue Convenor: Rohan Musch l awrevue@guls.org
Greetings from your Law Revue Overlord umm I mean Director. My name is Rohan and I have the great joy of putting on the law revue for our students this year. I am a Dual Law and Criminology student in my last year here at Griffith and have been involved with the law revue for the last 2 years. My main aim is to increase the amount of participation from students both in being a part of the revue and attending it when its on. Look out in the near future for the audition postings.
Socials Convenor: Alfred Jackson socials@guls.org
Hey my name is Alfred Jackson, I’m starting my third year of a Law/Commerce double degree,. My main role within GULS is to make sure you guys have a fun time this year by setting various social events throughout the year.
Sports Coordinator: Robert Kalaja sports@guls.org
Hi, I’m Robert and I am currently in my 3rd year of a Bachelor of Law degree. As the Sports Coordinator for 2016, my role includes getting you involved in social sports and other great events such as dodgeball and UQLS Law Cup. If you’re like me when I started my first year of law school (shy and nervous), then social sports is the thing for you! Not only is it the perfect way to meet new people, it also helps relieve some of the stress that comes with studying law. So if you see me around campus, come and say hi!
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Meet GULS – Competitions Portfolio Vice President (Competitions) - James Vercoe vp.competitions@guls.org
Hi, I’m James. I’m the Vice-President (Competitions) this year, so if you want to compete in any law competition, I’m someone you should have a chat to! I study a dual degree in Law and Criminology. I’m a major fan of The West Wing and trashy pop music.
Competitions Convenor: Bria Sherrington competitions@guls.org
Hi! My name is Bria Sherrington I'm one third of your competitions core this year. There are two things I love more than life itself the first is dogs and the second is Law. I study a dual degree of Law and Psychology and am always down for coffee if you ever need a hand.
Competitions Convenor: Cass PalmerField competitions@guls.org
My name is Cass and I am now in my third year of a Bachelor of Laws and Arts, majoring in Journalism. I'm from Mackay but so far I am loving uni down here in Brisbane, I'm talkative and always up for a chat so if you see me around campus feel free to say hi!
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Keeping Up With GULS Stay connected with all the latest events, career opportunities, competitions, seminars and more: 1. Stop by the GULS office - located at -2.07 of the Law School Building (N61). The GULS office is open weekdays 11am-2pm. There's free coffee, what else is there to say?
2. Like our main Facebook Page! Just search "Griffith University Law Society - GULS". All of our event photos and information is posted here. 3. Join our group just for you! Search "2016 Griffith First Year Law Students" on Facebook 4. Check out our website - www.guls.org 5. Email us! Our VP Admin, Rhys will answer all of your questions. Reach him at vp.admin@guls.org
L CARD The L Card is an absolute MUST HAVE for all law students at Griffith! It's how you get membership to join the Griffith University Law Society and gives you access to heaps of social events and discounts! How do I get one? Visit the L Card stall at the market days on campus or at our office in the Law Building!
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Surviving Law School 101 At certain points in your law degree, you may feel as though you are alone or unsure of yourself of the journey that you're embarking on, but every law graduate has needed some help along the way. So, GULS has compiled a number of tips and tricks to help you get through your first year of law.
1. Say Hello! Sometimes all it takes is to start a conversation with a fellow law student and you'll soon realise that not only is everyone a little bit worried about that Contracts exam, but that there is also a great wealth of knowledge in making friends and creating study groups. – 2. Try to buy your textbooks second-hand. Every law student knows the sadness of starting a new semester and trying to see value in a 600 page textbook worth a week's hard work. There are always second hand books floating around, there are even Facebook pages to help you try and hunt them down! 3. Tutorial work is a weekly chore that you will come to love. Or hate. Or both. But nevertheless, there are ways to get through it; listening to relevant classes on lecture capture or watching other (RELEVANT) youtube videos might just be the thing you need to get your ideas on to paper. 4. Never skip proof reading. Ever. Even if it is just weekly tutorial work, you should never just skim through your work. It teaches you how to read your work with a critical eye (even more important for assignments) and improves the work that you submit. 5. If you can, take notes on paper. Or print your notes and highlight them. Science has told us time and time again that your brain has a higher memory retention when writing rather than typing. 6. Seize any opportunity to get involved! Meeting new people, learning new skills and being motivated by the other amazing students of the Law School are some great benefits of attending the finals and senior competitions as a spectator. 7. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Law school is challenging, so it's integral that you focus on yourself at times as well. Ensure you eat breakfast, and keep snacks on you because you never know when the hunger will strike! Keep active and maintain a social life as well! 8. Learn how to formally footnote using the Australian Guide to Legal Citation! Course Convenors will impose strict citation requirements so remember to triple check that you've done it correctly. There are some great guides on the internet, so find one that you understand.
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GULS Mentoring Program Lizzie Dowrie Starting law school, or any degree at university, can be extremely daunting. With new people, new systems and new expectations it's easy to feel confused. I know I didn't even know how to access my online readings until Week 5! Whether you're a school leaver or returning to studies after a break, you are not exempt from feeling overwhelmed or lost. Although it can feel like you're the only one not getting it, the strangers around you and many people before you have felt the same way.
The 2016 GULS Mentoring Program, generously sponsored by HopgoodGanim, is designed to help first year students gain the knowledge and experience of students in higher years of study. The program has the aim to ensure that the first year law experience is smooth, supportive and successful. Students who sign up are assigned a mentor to provide advice and support. This support can be vital in moments of minicrises or just for coffee with a friendly face.
GULS mentors offer up their experience of law school to help avoid stress throughout the first year of law school. They'll fill you in on tips and tricks, as well as advice from their misadventures, to make your everyday existence at law school a little less daunting. You can rely on their support as much or as little as you need, even if it’s only in the first few weeks.
If you feel like this program is right for you, sign-up is available online at http://goo.gl/forms/R2UgbI1Cea and will close at the end of Week 3 on Friday, 18 March 2016. In Week 4, we will be hosting the “Meet Your Mentor Morning Tea” keep an eye out for more details. If you have any queries or questions regarding the program, feel free to email me at internal.edu@guls.org.
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Junior Legal Competitions Bria Sherrington & Cass Palmer-Field Competitions are a great opportunity for you to meet other law students and have a blast! GULS Competitions give students a glimpse of their potential as lawyers, allowing them to channel role models, such as Harvey Spectre, Elle Woods, Amal Clooney or Justice Kirby. Or perhaps create your own signature style. Will you be a quiet, understated advocate whose logical approach can win over the coldest of judges? Will you be a loud, enigmatic lawyer who takes no prisoners? Only you can know for sure. Each competition provides students with practical experience which will help them with their studies and future careers. You can tell a competition is on when law students arrive at uni strutting their stuff in their best business attire. The final of each competition is usually judged by legal practitioners - which means its a great way to start making those professional connections! You'll have the chance to mingle (and impress!) potential employers. Competitions allow you to experience life as lawyer, learning that it's ok to make mistakes and think on your feet, they are also the perfect place to find guidance and meet like minded peers, bonding over free food and the highs and lows of comps. The competitions team aims to ensure that every single competitor enjoys themselves. Welcome to Law School - we look forward to meeting you this year! All the best, James, Bria and Cass Competitions Team Email us at: competitions@guls.org
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Getting Involved in Sport Robert Kalaja Welcome everyone to your first year at Griffith Law! My name is Robert and I’ll be your sports co-ordinator for 2016. For those who are starting law this year, you may find the assignments and weekly readings quite overwhelming. So the best piece of advice I can give you is to get involved with GULS social sports (You will not regret it). GULS social sports is honestly the best way to meet new people and network with other students. It’s also a great avenue to relieve some the stress that comes with studying Contracts 1. So how does it work you might ask? Well, it’s quite simple. During the early weeks of the semester, I’ll be on campus showing YOU how to sign up for GULS social sports. Throughout the first semester, we offer a wide range of sports such as Netball, Touch, Soccer and Volleyball. In addition to the weekly social competitions, GULS also holds the annual beach dodgeball competition. So warm up those shoulders and get ready to dodge some balls! During the second semester, we will be working hand in hand with the Gold Coast campus to provide you with an opportunity to show your competitive nature by having an intra-varsity competition between the Nathan and Gold Coast Law schools. Towards the end of semester two, there will also be a competition against other Law schools around the Brisbane district to claim the 2016 Law Cup. Griffith University has had a successful history in claiming titles as Netball and Touch champions for 2015. So prepare for a great year in social sports! To keep up to date with the latest events and sports news, find us on Facebook (GULS Social Sports) and request to join!
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Law and a Social Life Rachael Goodman & Alfred Jackson Hey everyone! Our names are Rachael and Alfred and we are going to be your Social Convenors for 2016. We have a lot of things planned for the year and hope you guys are excited and come along of the ride. To start the year off we have our infamous pub crawl with lots of alcohol, lots of socialising and lots of shenanigans. Tickets will be affordable to fit that student budget; we will take you to some of our well acquainted clubs and bars and be your unofficial valley tour guides. The next event for the semester is Law Ball, a cocktail themed event with canapÊs, drinks and lots of partying. This is an event where you can put on something a little nicer, a fun theme is involved to spice up the night, you just have fun socialising and meeting a bunch of people in Law, from Griffith and beyond. Next up is Ekka races, watch the races in an air-conditioned private room with lots of beverages and some food to go along with it, and as the title suggests – watch some races. The last event for the year, and by far the most exciting for the year is our Law Gala dinner, we have a law based speaker come out and do a talk for everyone, with delicious food and drinks. This is also where all the future committee is announced for the following year, so if you’re interested in the committee this is definitely the event to attend. There is a lot of chance to socialise here and meet a lot of current and older students, making good connections. We are so excited to host these events for you, and meet a bunch of you on these. They are a great way to step out of your comfort zone, meet a tonne of new people and enjoy yourself between your avid studying sessions at 2am in the library. These are the perfect events to introduce yourself to people, everyone is super friendly and chatty. These events are for anyone in and outside of law, regardless of whether they study or not, so bring along a few friends or grab someone from your tutorial and make a night of it. We will see you there!
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First Year Treasure Hunt We know that first year of law school can be tough. With the new environment, new people, new lecturers and new way of learning, its easy to get overwhelmed sometimes. To minimise that as much as possible, we would advise you to immerse yourself into the Griffith University life as quickly as possible and be a part of the Griffith Law School community from day one. So, to help you out, we have compiled a list of things to complete during your first year that we think will help you settle in, find your inner law students and feel a part of the Griffith Law School.
1. Join GULS and attend 1 GULS activity every semester 2. Like 'GULS' on Facebook 3. Like 'Griffith Law School' on Facebook 4. Attend a career seminar or careers related activity 5. Get free food at least twice on campus during the year 6. Visit a court room (not as a defendant, please) 7. 'Acquire' free stationary from at least 2 law firms... 8. Take part in a junior competition 9. Get some work experience (legal or otherwise) and put together a resume. Complete each task and take a selfie of yourself doing it. When you're done, email your proof to firstyearrep@guls.org. First person to complete the list gets a GULS prize!
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Support Contacts Sometimes things don't go the way they are supposed to. Sometimes life just gets in the way and you need an extra helping hand to get through that assignment, or the semester. Trust me, every student experiences this at some point in their degree and it's nothing to be ashamed of. GULS has compiled a list of helpful contacts that you can easily print off if you find yourself in a situation like this.
Student Success Advisors ssa-ael@griffith.edu.au Counselling (07) 3735 5669 Indigenous Student Support (07) 3735 7676 gumurrii-admin@griffith.edu.au EnglishHELP (07) 3735 3735 englishhelp@griffith.edu.au Welfare and Student Liaision Office (07) 3735 747 0welfare@griffith.edu.au Heath Service (07) 3735 7299
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Dates to Remember
Semester 1 Market Day and L-Card Launch Week 1 Careers Week Week 2 Pub Crawl Week 3 Meet Your Mentor Morning Tea/First Year Week 4 Court Visit First Year Seminar Week 6 Equity Campaign Week 8 Law Ball Week 10 Dodgeball Week 13 Exam Seminars Study Week Open Competitions Running throughout semester
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More Dates to Remember
Semester 2 Semester 2 L-Card Launch Week 1 Careers Week/Junior Pathways Evening Week 2 Mekka Raceday Week 3 Mental Health Week Week 8 Law Revue Week 9 Law Gala Week 12 Exam Seminars Study Week Junior Competitions Running throughout semester
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Getting Lost Around Campus?
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