Close-up photograph of clocktower on Quadrangle building
News_

A beginner's guide to timetables

Create a class schedule that works for you
Timetable flexibility is one of the best perks of being a uni student. Here’s everything you need to know about our timetable system, so you can find the perfect balance between life and study.

1. Customise your timetable 

Want to keep Tuesday afternoons free? Or would you like to only be on campus three days a week? In Sydney Timetable, the University’s timetabling system, you can enter your Semester 1 class preferences before timetables are released, from Friday 19 January to Tuesday 23 January 2024. If you missed the timetable preferencing deadline, we'll allocate you into classes.

2. Don't forget to take lunch 

It can be tempting to try to squeeze all your classes into a few days but stacking too many tutorials might deprive you of some of the best parts of student life. Where possible, schedule time for a lunch break.

Lunch is usually the busiest time on campus for all kinds of activities; club events, barbecues, market stalls – there's usually something going on you wouldn't want to miss. Plus, asking a fellow student to join you for coffee or lunch is one of the best ways to make new friends.

3. Review and adjust your timetable 

Once your timetable is released, you can review and adjust your timetable for Semester 1 classes from Monday 29 January to Sunday 3 March 2024.

During this period, it’s important to make sure you’re allocated to classes and tutorials for the units of study you’re enrolled in, and that your preferences (if entered) have been considered.

4. Allow travel time 

One of the first things you’ll realise is that the main Camperdown/Darlington campus is really, really big. Check out Campus Maps to see where your classes are and how much walking time you’ll need to factor in. Getting from one end of Eastern Avenue to the other can take longer than you'd expect (especially if a University society is holding a bake sale!).

Classes usually finish five minutes before the hour, and start five minutes after the hour, but they can (and often do) run up to the hour. Try your best to avoid scheduling tutorials back-to-back so that you don't end up arriving at your classes out of breath from legging it across campus.

5. Troubleshoot your timetable 

Things don’t always go to plan, so if you’re having trouble accessing your timetable, updating your preferences or managing a class clash, review our handy troubleshooting guide. You can also submit an enquiry to the Student Centre if you need assistance.  

Last updated 8 January 2024

6 February 2017

Related articles