Welcome to university in Sydney! You’ve got your acceptance letter, you’ve seen the campus, and you’re ready to go. But while the official handbook tells you what to study, it doesn’t tell you how to survive.
These are the five unwritten rules that every successful student learns, usually the hard way. Consider this your head start.
Rule 1: Your Timetable is a Suggestion, Not a Command
That packed 9-to-5 timetable you were assigned? It’s a default setting, not a life sentence. The secret that every upper-year student knows is “lecture capture.” Almost every major lecture is recorded and posted online within a few hours.
The Hack: Identify your essential classes—the interactive tutorials, labs, and workshops where attendance is key. For the big, impersonal lectures, feel free to watch them online at 1.5x speed from the comfort of your couch. This frees up huge chunks of your week for study, work, or a much-needed coffee break.
Rule 2: The Best Study Spots Aren’t in the Main Library
During mid-terms and finals, the main university library becomes a stressful, overcrowded nightmare. The real pros know where to go for silent, productive study sessions.
The Hack: Explore your faculty’s specific building. Often, there are upper-floor lounges, computer labs, or quiet common areas that are completely empty. Find a hidden corner in the Law building or an unused tutorial room in the Business school. These spots have the same great WiFi but none of the stress.
Rule 3: Your Tutors Are Your Best Friends (Seriously)
It’s easy to see your tutors as just teachers, but they are your single greatest resource. They are often PhD students or industry professionals who have a direct impact on your marks and can offer incredible advice.
The Hack: Don’t be anonymous. Arrive at your tutorial a few minutes early and ask a smart question. Stay a few minutes late to clarify a concept. When tutors know you’re engaged, they are far more likely to be lenient with an extension request, offer you valuable feedback, and even become a referee for your first internship application.
Rule 4: The Textbook is a Scam (Most of the Time)
You’ll get a long list of “required” textbooks that can cost hundreds of dollars. Before you rush to the campus bookstore, take a breath. In many courses, the textbook is barely used.
The Hack: Wait for the first class. Listen to what the lecturer actually says about the book. Then, check the university library—they almost always have multiple copies you can borrow. If you absolutely need it, find the student-run “Second Hand Books” Facebook page for your uni and get it for a fraction of the price. Never buy new if you can avoid it.
Rule 5: Join the ‘Boring’ Club
O-Week will push you towards the party and social clubs, and you should definitely check them out. But the real secret to building a great university career is to join one “boring” club.
The Hack: Join the club directly related to your degree (e.g., the Business Society, the Engineering Society). This is where you’ll find the most ambitious students, get access to exclusive networking events with top companies, and hear about internship opportunities before anyone else. This is the club that will actually help you build a resume and land a job. One night of networking here can be more valuable than a whole semester of parties.
