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Do I know my way around campus?
Is my UniMail access sorted out?
Where do I find good coffee? Where can I get food?
What books/ supplies should I have?
What am I doing for the rest of the week? Do I know where I'm supposed to be and when?
The University expects all students to self-manage their enrolment each session. All enrolment and variations to enrolment, variations to address or other contact details are done online through myUNSW, the web interface to UNSW's student information system.
Hint: Get to know the physical environment before your classes start.
A University Campus is a big place, especially in comparision to high school. They can be the size of a suburb - in fact, UNSW even has its own postcode (more about the campus here).
Visit the campus before you enrol and have a look around. During the months of January and February, before classes begin, the campus is quiet. If you visit then, you can have a good look around!
Hint: Work out how you're going to get to uni well ahead of your first week.
When you visit the campus during 'O-Week', work out how long the journey will take. Make a test run of the trip around the time of day you'll usually be coming to uni.
Plan your route. Find out where the bus stops, or the location ofthe nearest railway station.
For Transport information, visit:
UNSW FAQ-Public Transport Page
Sydney buses: A guide to bus services in Sydney
All UNSW students need a Student Identification Card to borrow books from the University Libraries and to use other University services.
Where do I get my student ID Card?
UniPass is the Universal Password for accsessing online services at UNSW. Your UniPass and UNSW Student ID provide a way of electronically verifying your identity.
You are given your UniPass on enrolment but it won't work untill you activate it by going to www.services.comms.unsw.edu.au.
UniMail is the UNSW central email system, provided free to all current UNSW students. The university uses UniMail as the main mode of communication for official notices to students, so it's important to set up your access.
Hint: On your first day, it's important to know where to eat lunch, get a cold drink or a good cup of coffee.
There are many food outlets on campus, and you'll soon develop favourites. For names and locations you can look up on your map:
Hint: Working out where you're supposed to be and when calls for some forward planning and another trial run.
When you enrolled for your degree, you chose courses from your faculty's timetable. This timetable has the day/s and time/s courses are offered listed.
If you've lost your timetable, visit the website of your faculty or school. Many list class timetables and room locations on their pages:
Classroom Details
You need to know the locations of your lectures and classes, and how to find your way there, ahead of time.
You can often find classroom information on school or faculty websites. If it's not posted there, then you need to visit your school or faculty office before session starts. Classroom locations are listed on noticeboards outside the school or faculty offices. Note down the information you need.
Visit your classrooms before session begins. This will save you a lot of stress and confusion during your first week.
Hint: The UNSW library will play a big part in studying at UNSW. Find out some important information before session starts.
Library Essentials
How do I borrow?
To find your way through the mine of information and content, investigate the online training resources.
Hint: Make sure you attend all of your first lectures.
At Week 1 lectures, you'll meet your lecturers and tutors, receive course handbooks, and be informed of tutorial times.
Most lecturers or tutors will supply contact details. For example, their phone or e-mail contact and their office location. Most also have set hours for student consultation. Make sure you note down these details.
This might sound obvious, but it's a good idea to locate facilities before you need them. Every building on campus has public bathrooms. They are usually on each floor. If you can't see them, ask.
For your first week, come prepared with some reliable pens in different colours, a notebook and a completed timetable.
Depending on your courses, you'll probably need lecture pads and notebooks for labs and tutorials. As you attend lectures throughout the first week, your lecturers will advise you about set texts for your courses and any other supplies you should buy.
For stationary supplies, explore the shops on campus. They stock stationery, confectionery, magazines, travel passes, film, phone cards and specialist course supplies. Students and union members are eligible for discounts.
A list of set course texts can be found on the UNSW Bookshop website.
Hint: Organise!
At university, forward planning and good time management are essential. Before you start uni, plan your time. You should know where you're supposed to be and when.