How to make the most of Orientation in 2021

First things first: don't miss your Faculty or School welcome

All faculties and schools run workshops and information sessions as part of Welcome Week. Make sure to sign up to the planner and register for yours so that you don’t miss any of the important information that can help you start uni on the right foot – such as where relevant buildings are located and important dates throughout semester. It’s also where you’ll meet your fellow students and the academic staff who you’ll be learning from.

This year these events will be online as well, and the online versions will be available to everyone, everywhere. If you can’t make it in person, the Virtual Tour is a great way to see the campus and get your bearings for when you finally do.

Connect with friends and student organisations

As well as your specific faculty welcome, the University’s other facilities also run Welcome Week events. Attend a virtual or in-person tour of Fisher Library, a resource you’ll definitely be making use of throughout your studies.

For the more athletically inclined, make sure to check out Sydney Uni Sport and Fitness (SUSF) for a great overview of the many gyms and sporting facilities, not to mention sports clubs and teams, that you can be a part of while at uni. Once again, never fear if you can’t be there in person: SUSF runs a range of online fitness classes so you can get the most out of that membership no matter where you are.

It's also a good idea to join the University of Sydney Union (USU). Joining the USU is free for new students and comes with many benefits. There are more than 200 clubs and societies on campus, and joining one (or more!) that suits your interests is a great way to make friends.

Know where to find support

Starting uni can be a challenging experience for anyone and the University offers a range of support services including:

• Student support services
• the Student Centre
• Counselling and mental health
• Financial support
• Healthcare
• Personal safety and emergency procedures
• COVID-19 support

And of course, you don't have to be on campus to access these support services. Online appointments are available for all students that may need to access these services remotely.

If you are attending events or classes on campus, make sure to be COVID-safe and follow instructions and advice.