New students will get prepped for their first year at UNSW with the perfect balance of free entertainment and study survival tips at one of Australia’s largest O-Week celebrations.

Student organisation UNSW@Arc, the UNSW Learning Centre and Student Life and Learning have all the bases covered with Faculty programs and workshops covering academic, career and life skills, all designed to help make the transition to university as smooth as possible.

Popular sessions include 'How to be an Employer Magnet' by Deloitte Australia, 'Improve your mood: Improve Your Learning', 'Be a Leader: Discover the UNSW Leadership program' and 'Bang on Budget'.

“As most students are working and studying and have other responsibilities too, it’s really important for students to plan their time use efficiently and make sure they allocate enough time each week for their studies from the first week,” says Associate Professor Sue Starfield from the Learning Centre. She recommends the Centre's comprehensive guide to starting uni – First Steps –  to help students understand the differences between school and university with tips on how to stay on track in first semester.

Students are also encouraged to experience what UNSW has to offer outside the classroom – learn about the psychology of dating and social interaction or compete in a 3D design battle.

Other O-Week highlights include: O-Week Dance Party with UK artist DJ Yoda, inflatable sumo suit wrestling, Comedy Night presented by the Comedy Store and a movie night on the quad lawn. The full O-Week program is available in the 'Getting Started Guide for New and Returning Students', which can be downloaded here.

It’s easy to get lost during your first weeks on UNSW’s 38-hectare campus so 150 Yellow Shirt student volunteers will lead campus tours. A must have is the official UNSW Uni-verse App, which has an interactive map and a host of other resources at your fingertips.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Fred Hilmer will officially welcome new undergraduate students and their families to UNSW at 6pm on Monday, 24 February in the Sir John Clancy Auditorium.

What: UNSW’s O-Week

When: February 24 – 28, 2014

Media contact: Fran Strachan, UNSW Media Office, 9385 8732 | 0429 416 070

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