I’m sure the paper had green lines on it.
It was wide and was supposed to be full of text. In a nice grid. Classes, dates, locations. Printed just for me. The fun few days of O-Week were over and it was time to move from Orientation to Application and start first-year University. However…
But first: Back in Time a Little Bit
Late 1978 and after catching multiple trains, I was now on the bus – from Clayton station – to check out this Monash University place. Just before we turned into the campus I saw the graffiti on its border wooden fence: Avenge Oscar Wilde!
I had no idea who he was, but it struck me as interesting as it looked old and hadn’t been removed. Besides, I had other thoughts on my mind. Little things like what subjects was I going to take? Oh, and where was I going to live?
It was a bit of a blur, but the subjects fell into place quickly. From memory:
- Physics
- One Maths
- Another Maths
- Geology
My major was Physics but I’d always been interested in rocks etc, so I was hedging my bets with Geology. I assumed that Geology would be tied into Physics anyway. Both are ‘hard’ sciences and in the same faculty. I filled in the Subjects nomination form on that same day, from memory.
The one thing I was glad of was No More Chemistry. Yes! I had struggled through Year 12 Chemistry and passed, but – compared to Physics and Maths – found it relied more on rote learning, aka memory.
Anyway, the accommodation quickly fell into place. On that first visit, I went to a big ‘welcome’ room that had lots of populated tables covered assorted clubs, societies…and places to stay. A friendly chap, name being Michael, got talking to me at his table. Did I have a place to stay? Had I heard of the on-site ‘college’ called Roberts Hall? I hadn’t, listened carefully and the rest is history. I moved in there in early March 1979 and stayed there for all 4 years.
Back to O-Week – March 1979
It was a lovely walk over the large and beautiful Monash Campus from Roberts Hall to the main academic area. From memory, we had to go to the Computer Department to get our personal timetable.
I’d nominated my four 101 subjects and couldn’t wait to get started in a few days. Physics, Maths x2 and Geology.
The computer printout had my name on it. I looked down to see the details of the timetable. It was quite blank. Except for the words
“No timetable possible. See administrator”
I double-checked the name. It matched mine as did the new Student ID Number.
I found an administrator who looked up my details. Out came those words: “sorry you can’t do Physics and Geology, you’ll have to drop one then pick up another 101 (full first-year subject)”
Looking at my Year 12 subjects they said there was really only one choice.
Full first-year university Chemistry.
So, the joy of O-Week turned into a nightmare. The one subject I couldn’t wait to ditch was back front and centre, for an entire year.
I just put my head down and attended most lectures. I want to thank again those sweet, long-forgotten peers, who loaned me their beautifully written lecture notes, taken when I was off in the John Medley Record Library listening to Monty Python Live at Drury Lane.
Despite all this, somehow I passed.
Geology is NOT tied to Physics
It was only about two years ago I finally did a good Geology 101 (video) class online at The Great Courses Plus website. The first thing the excellent lecturer said was how important it was to go back and understand the basics of Geologies basic, underlying science.
Chemistry.