How to survive your first year at uni in sydney

Getting nervous about your first year at university? Don’t fret, HOOD is here to give you a head start on thriving while studying in Sydney.

Starting a new university course is a huge step, whether it's your first year or you’re stepping back into the academic ring. There are some fantastic institutions to attend in Sydney and broader NSW. According to the QS World University Rankings, the University of Sydney (UoS) ranked 38th in the world in terms of educational quality. 

The same study found UoS students were the 4th most employable students in the world, behind the University of California, Stanford and MIT. QS also found Sydney as the 9th best city in the world for providing students with a high-quality student experience.

But before you embark on your educational journey, here are a few tips from HOOD to get you started on the right foot.

Priorities your health and stress management

Your first foray into academia can be a little overwhelming. There’s a lot to get used to, a new campus to learn and, chances are, you’ll be meeting all of your peers for the first time. It might sound like basic advice, but one of the best things you can do for yourself in your first year is to keep up hydration and a healthy diet. And if you can work in just a little bit of physical activity between studying and making new friends, your base stress levels will be much better off for it.

As much as stress is emotional, it also has a lot to do with how well we’re maintaining our bodies. Keeping a balanced work-life schedule and being disciplined with your time will also go a long way in protecting your sanity.

Try not to let work pile up on you. Every student in history has left something up until the last minute and spent a night fuelled by caffeine and anxiety racing to get it in before the due date. In the event that something like this happens to you, having a good baseline of stress management built up will be super important.

Student services to become familiar with

There are tons of university support resources for you to take advantage of if you know where to look. Depending on the uni you’ll be attending, you’ll have varying degrees of online and in-person help for course planning, accommodation, transportation and mental health support.

Check out these resources below to learn more:

• University of Sydney
• University of New South Wales (UNSW)
• University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
• Macquarie University Sydney
• Western Sydney University
• Australian Catholic University
  
  

Get to know your campus

Orientation week (AKA O-week) is a great opportunity to get familiar with your new campus. Use this time to get better acquainted with the buildings in your faculty and the regular spots you’ll be frequenting - shops, places to eat, libraries etc.

There are also some great apps for you to download to help you navigate your university campus. One we recommend is Lost On Campus, though your university may have its own map for you to reference if you’d prefer.

Follow social media channels to do with your areas of study

Everyone feels a little burnt out after looking at the same material for hours on end. A really easy way to keep up your interest in your areas of study is to follow influencers, creators and outlets that cover these subjects.

Channels such as these are incentivised to find exciting and engaging ways to present their content, so you’re bound to find someone with a perspective you may not have considered. This is a great low-effort way to keep in touch with the latest trends and news in your field. And as a bonus, it may even provide you with a cool talking point show-off in class.

If you're looking to move, be sure to connect with HOOD.

Fill in your details below and we'll do the rest.