Top 10 free things to do this semester
1. Catch a Sydney Ideas talk
Each week, our academics and guest lecturers tackle provocative topics and global issues in our popular Sydney Ideas series.
Join in as leading experts discuss, debate and examine a diverse range of research and topics. Check out the full schedule and register for free online.
2. Listen to our podcasts
You can also listen to the full back catalog of Sydney Ideas podcasts. This includes hundreds of talks on topics as wide-ranging as diverse as Reconciliation, Raising the age of criminal responsibility, and youth mental health.
Or you can listen to our series of Raising the Bar talks from 2015-2019, featuring some of the University’s brilliant academics discussing their research in bars across Sydney.
3. Take care of your body
Get your body moving with free workouts and events thanks to interfaculty sport. Start training now and you'll be ready to put faculty pride on the line when free interfaculty competitions return.
4. Take care of your mind
Mindfulness can help us to be less caught up in stress, worry and low mood by allowing us to develop a greater capacity to engage in our lives by being more fully present. Join a weekly mindfulness drop-in session to help you get started.
Stay balanced throughout the semester with a variety of free Student Counselling Services workshops to help with managing time, stress, mood and procrastination.
5. Swap a language with a new friend
The USU's Language Exchange program pairs you with a buddy who is a native speaker of a language of your choice. Buddies then meet when and where it suits to practise and improve their conversational language skills in a casual and informal environment. The program is fun, flexible and free – register now.
6. Meet a tight knit group of friends
The First Tuesday Craft Group is collection of students, staff and community members who meet up on the first Tuesday every month to get creative together.
If you love, or are keen to get into, knitting, crochet, embroidery, sewing, origami or anything else creative, then jump online and have a go!
7. Get cooking (on a budget)
Join in with these interactive cooking workshops that will teach you how to cook healthy, delicious meals on a budget. Join Pietro, a pasta maestro from Milan, and fellow students, to get step-by-step lessons on how to boost your cooking knowledge, without breaking your bank account.
8. Test out your trivia knowledge
Join with fellow students in an online trivia series, hosted by the STAR Team. Test out your knowledge of pop culture, history, travel, language, and customs from the comfort of your own home. And if your trivia knowledge is up to the challenge, you can win some cool prizes.
9. Sample some art and history
The Chau Chak Wing Museum will be opening on 18 November. This new museum unites the University’s Nicholson, Macleay and Art collections all under one roof.
If you can’t wait for the opening, you can browse through what collections will be on offer on the Museum’s website.
10. Find your study buddies
Take advantage of the Library’s range of events and activities. You can join an online group study sessions, view an exhibition of the Library’s collection of rare books or organise a Zoom coffee session with your Peer Learning Advisors. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved and to help with your study.