My Newbie Navigator (English Vers.)

a starter guide for international students

UNSW is located on the unceded territory of the Bedegal (Kensington campus), Gadigal (City and Paddington campuses) and Ngunnawal peoples (Canberra) who are the Traditional Owners of the lands where each campus of UNSW is situated.

coat of arms

multiculturalism

The animals featured on the Australian coat of arms are the kangaroo and emu, as animals that cannot physically move backwards they are used to symbolise the nation constantly moving forward.

Australia is the 6th largest country in the world and considered one of the most multicultural nations globally, with over half of its population either born overseas or having at least one parent born overseas

Major Events

in Sydney

Easter Show

Australia’s largest agricultural event, featuring carnival rides, farm animals, entertainment, and food

Vivid Sydney

annual festival of light and music, transforming the city with dazzling light installations

Sculptures by the Sea annual outdoor exhibition showcasing large-scale sculptures along the coastal walk from Bondi to Tamarama

City2Surf

iconic 14km fun run, attracting thousands from Hyde Park to Bondi Beach

worthwhile mentions x x x x

mardi gras

new year fireworks

sydney film festival

taste of sydney festival

kiki’s

Travel Service Laneway Cinemas a free outdoor cinema @ the rocks (temporary until 26 march 2025!)

Art Gallery of NSW free entry & amazing collection of old and new art. location is also so picturesque

Glebe Markets

rotation of stalls with collection of clothes, jewellery and crafty pieces perfect for a stroll in sydney

Bondi & Manly Walk

worthwhile mentions

bondi to coogee ~ 2hrs manly to spit ~ 3hrs (be prepared for more bushs!)

x white rabbit museum x kiribili markets, night markets x observatory hill for a nice picnic x green square library for amazing photos

Food Recs Edition Roasters

coffees, matchas, range of menu items for a quick snack

Dopa

delicious and comforting Japanese food with stores across Sydney

Basax

laid-back restaurant with a delicious range of Korean fried chicken & other Korean food

Yang Guo Fu

a staple malatang stop and loved by PsychSoc, YGF has a cheap and delicious selection

Mango Coco

perfect dessert spot in Haymarket!! bingsu, milk tea, toast and afternoon tea snacks

Pocket Pizza

with locations in Northern Sydney, delicious Italian food, it is perfect for a night out

Moon & Back Cafe located in Rosebery, with a minimalistic design, it is the perfect study spot

Yochi

a popular frozen yogurt place where you can customise your sweet treat

The Psych wam Rises core courses

These courses cover a wide range of important content which underpin psychology: Psychology 1A (PSYC1001) and 1B (PSYC1011) fundamentals of psychology!

PSYC1111 Measuring Mind and Behaviour PSYC2001 Research Methods - data analysis!

PSYC2061 Social and Developmental Psychology PSYC2071 Perception and Cognition PSYC2081 Learning and Physiological Psychology PSYC2101 Assessment, Personality and Psychopathology

electives

Electives allow you to learn more specialised content in different areas: PSYC3051 Physiological Psychology PSYC3211 Cognitive Science PSYC3221 Vision and brain PSYC3311 Language and Cognition PSYC 3331 Health Psychology PSYC3301 Psychology and Law ...and more!

recommendations PSYC1023 Abnormal Psychology Interesting and easy content that will come up throughout your degree PSYC1029 Psychology of Sex, Love, Attraction Really unique content that is intriguing but easy to take in

writing emails to professors & tutors Subject title “zID + course code + Topic” - so they can easily tell what it’s for!

e.g. “z5555555 PSYC1001 Enquiry about Tutorial Times” Addressing the Email: “Professor [Last Name]” to be polite, unless your professor asked otherwise For tutors, just using their first name would be fine!

Start with a nice greeting!

“Good morning/afternoon/evening!”

“How has your day been? / I hope your day has gone well / Hope you are well” Explain the purpose of your email: I am writing to ask about... / I need a bit of advice about...

Finish off with a: Thank you so much in advance!

Kind regards, [your name]

Absences

Most psychology tuts and labs allow an 80% attendance rate without a medical certificate, be sure to check your course outline for more details.

Assignment Questions & Special Consideration

Check your course forums for questions and answers about assignments, be sure to use it! Special consideration has its own portal online!

Extensions

Be sure to note that for a lot of psych courses you can apply for a short extension of 2 days without any reason!

You can find it by searching ‘Short Extensions UNSW”

Extra Help Visit UNSW Email Etiquette (https://www.student.unsw .edu.au/email-etiquette )

Tips

Must have Social Media Apps!

(for society social pages and event information)

(for texting your facebook friends)

(for watching fun short video clips)

(for texting your friends and creating group assignment groupchats)

Common Etiquette in Australia

1. Stand on the left on escalators 2. Wait for your turn in the queue (while getting onto trains, lining up to order food etc) 3. No Tipping (it is not expected) 4. Simple Greetings - “hello,” “good morning,” (stereotypical greetings such as “g’day mate” aren’t common) 5. Shaking Hands as a standard greeting 6. Greeting the bus driver and saying “Thank You,” after getting off the bus

UNSW societies!

What are they Societies/Clubs are student-led groups that are formed based on a common interest (such as hobbies or degree) which provide opportunities for you to attend events relevant to the club's theme.

How to join To officially become a member of a society you will need to register on the spARC website (ARC UNSW’s official website) and join the societies you’re interested in. Remember to follow their social pages (on facebook & instagram) and keep an eye out for their events. To join the committee who runs these societies (the subcommittee), keep an eye out for events named “subcommittee recruitment,” which usually occur in term 1.

Making Friends & the Language Barrier One of the best ways to make friends in uni is to join a society and attend their events. It can feel scary approaching people first in your tutorials or at events, but always remember that almost everyone in uni is looking to make friends as well. If English isn’t your first language, most people will admire you rather than mock you for trying to speak English so don’t be shy to give it a go. UNSW is extremely multicultural as well so you may even meet people who speak your language. You’re never alone in how you feel, so just be kind and put yourself out there as it is then that you’ll eventually make some genuine friendships!

Student Discounts Available Unidays is a free website and app that offers discounts to students for many brands from clothing stores such as COtton On & Glassons, to ridesharing brands like Uber & Didi, to even technology brands like Samsung and Apple!

Essential Apps!

To check transport schedules such as trains, light rails, buses, ferries and the metro To find any buildings, food places, rooms, and nearest toilet on UNSW campus To find public transport/driving routes to your destination, read reviews/opening hours on different places before visiting Provides real-time information about public transportation (such as when they’ll depart and arrive, the most efficient route at the time and so forth)

Support

If you need any help or support, please do not hesitate to reach out to any of the following sources!

UNSW Psychology and Wellness

Confidential, short-term counselling and help for students, as well as workshops and self-help resources Hours: Weekdays 10am - 5pm Location: Level 2 East Wing, Quad Phone: (02) 9385 5418

The Nucleus @ UNSW

For any questions about course enrolment, requirements and prerequisites!

Hours: Weekdays 10am - 5pm Location: Next to Main Library Phone: (02) 9385 8500 Book an appointment online or walk in!

UNSW Student Support

For help with personalised advice and information about uni life, wellbeing, academics, visas, finances, etc.

Hours: Specified when booking Location: John Goodsell / via Zoom Book online!

AUG Student Services

For any enquiries regarding visa or university application processes; an external organisation of consultants Visit https://augstudy.com/australia/ for details

Bucket List!

Coogee to Bondi coastal walk Join a UNSW society & go to one of their events with your friends Eat through Burwood Chinatown Night Markets (every Thursday-Sunday: 5pm-11pm) Visit Chinatown Night Markets in the City (every Friday Evening: 4pm-11pm) Visit Glebe Markets (every Saturday: 10am - 4pm) Shopping at Birkenhead Point Outlet Shopping Centre Explore the streets of Newtown (lots of vintage/thrift shopping, small businesses & great eats)