More than 280 students will start their universities studies in Port Macquarie with Orientation Week (O Week) at Charles Sturt University (CSU) next week.O Week will run from Monday 22 February until Friday 26 February and involve a series of academic and social activities to help familiarise students with university study, their course, peers and campus."O Week blends serious and social activities to introduce students from around Australia to their new lives of study and education," Head of Campus Professor Heather Cavanagh said."We have been very pleased to see a 15 per cent increase in the number of undergraduate on campus students studying at CSU in Port Macquarie compared to 2015.  The undergraduate courses in greatest demand for study in 2016 in Port Macquarie are criminal justice, clinical science (paramedic), medical radiation science, teacher education and creative arts and design.""In addition the new Charles Sturt University Port Macquarie campus is due to open later in 2016 and we look forward to increasing our teaching and research capacity as we move to the new 12 hectare site," Professor Cavanagh said.Dean of Students Professor Julia Coyle said, "O Week is a fun, happy and hectic time for all involved – new students, their parents and carers, and our staff – as there is much to learn as students consider their new lives in higher education.""The shift from school to university means students become adult learners. This transition may be difficult for parents who need to shift from strong engagement as a parent of a school student to only being involved in discussion with lecturers if their young adult gives permission," Professor Coyle said.More than 3 000 new on campus undergraduate students will be welcomed across all of CSU for the first session of 2016 starting Monday 29 February. There have also been O Week activities this week for more than 6 700 new CSU Online students who are studying remotely.More information about activities happening at CSU O-week in Port Macquarie is available online www.csu.edu.au/oncampus/events/o-week/on-campus.