O-Week 2018 blasts off from 19 February with a host of social and practical events that provide the perfect opportunity for students to get their year off to a flying start.

A good way to get your O-week bearings is to take part in the O-Week Odyssey, a free two-hour guided tour and that culminates in a tasty barbeque lunch.

If you enjoy getting physical while having fun, activities such as Hippo Chow Down (a human version of childhood favourite Hungry Hippos), Robo Obstacle Course or Basketball Bungee should keep you happy.

If you're looking  to broaden your social circle, sign up for a speed friending session, which is a bit like platonic speed dating, or rock up to Trivia in the Roundhouse Bar on Thursday.

O-Week doesn’t stop when the sun sets, with Monday Movie Night, Tuesday Comedy Night , Wednesday Band Night and a Robots and Aliens Party on Thursday night to keep the fun flowing.

UNSW has over 300 clubs where you can take part in your favourite hobbies and interests or find new ones.

UNSW’s sporting clubs offer the perfect opportunity to get fit and make new friends and O-week is a great time to see what they have to offer. Demonstrations of the many sporting activities on offer at the university will be held throughout the week and club members will be available to answer your questions.

Don’t forget to visit the UNSW Bookshop, which stocks books, gifts and stationery as well as those all-important course text books.

Once you’ve had fun making new friends, O-Week offers opportunities to get to know the University at a more grassroots level. For information and advice on practical matters like getting a student ID, getting to know the library, the University Health Service and other support services, check out the ARC UNSW Services page. There is a handy event planning guide available here.

The University is hosting an official welcome on Monday evening and individual faculties will host welcomes and information sessions for students throughout the week.

To see UNSW’s innovation in action, check out the A.L.I.C.E cyber security game app developed by UNSW students and staff to ensure your online identity stays secure.