WIT'S GUIDE TO FIRST YEAR In This Guide: Best study spots and food on campus Organising your classes, degree, and life Essential resources and services ... and lots more!
UNSW Women in Technology February 2020
From all of us at WIT, welcome to UNSW and to the next chapter of your life! Prepare yourself for the thrilling, challenging, and unique journey that is the university experience. The transition from high school to uni is an exciting time, but we know that it can be a little daunting and overwhelming. That's where we come in. This guide has you covered for all the bumps in the road, with all the tips and info you need to make sure that you not only survive your first year, but enjoy it. You will undoubtedly face your share of ups and downs throughout the year and throughout your uni experience. Just don't forget that you aren't alone, and don't forget to have fun! Embrace the challenges and opportunities that come and make the most of your year! Best wishes, UNSW Women in Technology
Founded in 2016, UNSW Women In Technology (WIT) is a network of 900+ students with similar interests and goals surrounding STEM, and has grown into a platform to support and encourage diversity within the technology industry. WIT is proud of its innovative and positive environment, whereby long term connections and friendships are made, helping to play a part in removing the gender imbalance that exists in the sector. WIT intends to serve the dual purpose of empowering current students interested in technology, as well as encouraging high school students to pursue a future in technology. We hold many events throughout the year to assist with the transition into STEM by holding introductory courses, hackathons and case competitions.
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CONTENTS CONTENTS The Basics
Words of wisdom
5
Essential resources
7
Support services
9
Finding your way around
Getting to uni
12
Best campus eats
13
Best study spots
15
Surviving your first term
Organising your classes, degree, and life
17
Exam essentials
19
Societies and uni life
20
WIT and your career
Interview tips
22
WIT's upcoming events
23
Career-related opportunities
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THE THE BASICS BASICS UNSW 101
Words of Wisdom Go big (or go home). 01
Take the plunge - your uni experience is what you make it! It might be daunting, but it’ll help you learn, grow, and succeed.
Don't panic! 02
Be yourself. 03
It might be cliché and obvious, but it’s still important to remember. Being genuine is the best way to find like-minded people.
04
Find your people. 05
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Having friends who study the same degree as you makes it easy to share resources and notes, line up your timetables, or just vent about your latest assignment.
Everyone’s journey is different, and we all travel at different paces, so don’t be discouraged by the successes and failures of others.
Get organised and stay organised. Make notes throughout the term, and you’ll thank yourself come exam time. For tools to help you out, see page 17.
Keep in touch. 06
Once you find people you gel with, put in the effort to build your friendship. It’ll be harder to maintain friendships than it was in high school, since you won’t see them every day, so organise meetups and stay in touch.
Get involved. 07
Societies are a great way to meet people with common interests, or to develop your skills or your network, through events and by joining the society’s team. For more info, see page 20.
Make time for yourself. 08
Find a mentor. 09
It can be fun and fulfilling to take on lots of extra responsibilities, but don’t lose your balance. Make sure you don’t sacrifice too much sleep, family time, or social life to study, work, or other obligations.
Society mentor programs can help you find people who have been in your shoes. Older students can provide invaluable advice and resources to help with your studies and career.
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Remember you are not alone. Everyone is in the same boat, so don't be afraid to ask for help. Talk to peers and older students, or use the resources provided by UNSW - see page 9 for more info.
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Getting Started myUNSW (my.unsw.edu.au) myUNSW provides information on your enrolment, exams, academic history, and financials. You would have used it to enrol and register for T1 (if you haven’t yet, enrol as soon as possible so you can lock in a timetable that suits you), and you’ll have to use it each time you register, as well as to swap or drop classes. Here you can also find important dates, information on support services, and links to many other useful resources.
Handbook (handbook.unsw.edu.au) The student handbook is a guide to programs and classes. Use it to find the requirements of your degree, as well as course outlines, prerequisites, and offering terms of classes that interest you. This is essential for degree planning.
Glossary A program is a degree, e.g. Bachelor of Information Systems A course is a subject, e.g. MATH1131 Mathematics 1A. Most subjects are worth 6 units of credit (UOC), and you can take a maximum of 18 UOC each term. An enrolment appointment is the time and date when your enrolment opens for the year, or when your class registration opens for the term. You can find your enrolment dates on myUNSW. Get in quick once your enrolment opens to secure your place in the course.
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The Nucleus (nucleus.unsw.edu.au) The Nucleus is the centre of UNSW student support, located in the main library, just inside the main entrance on the right. The Nucleus can help you out with forms, enrolment, and results, and refer you to other support services. You should also visit them to get your ID card during O-Week. To visit the Nucleus, use the Uni-Verse app to join the virtual queue, rather than standing in line.
Don't know your way around campus? Visit fmtoolbox.unsw.edu.au/comms/KensingtonCampus.pdf for a labelled campus map.
Moodle (moodle.telt.unsw.edu.au) Moodle is a platform used for course resources and information. It’ll provide lecture recordings, assessment information, and discussion forums for each of your subjects. Not all subjects use Moodle (such as most CSE subjects), but if this is the case, you’ll be informed of how the course is being delivered.
Timetable (timetable.unsw.edu.au) Timetable provides the timetabling and enrolment information for every course at UNSW. Before your enrolment appointment each term, check out Timetable to make sure the classes you want haven’t filled up.
Uni-Verse (student.unsw.edu.au/universe) This is UNSW’s official app. It includes your timetable, Moodle content, library services, maps, and contact info, as well as allowing you to join the virtual queue for the Nucleus (click on My Services, then Nucleus Hub).
UNSW Bookshop (bookshop.unsw.edu.au) The UNSW Bookshop is located next to the Business School. Any textbooks you need for your classes are guaranteed to be here. For other ways to get textbooks, see Tools for organising your classes, degree, and life.
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Support Services University presents different challenges to everyone. Whether you're facing academic, financial, or personal difficulty, UNSW provides a range of services to help you out.
Health UNSW Health Services include GPs and specialists on campus, located at the ground floor of the East Quandrangle Building. For more information or to make an appointment, visit healthservices.unsw.edu.au. UNSW Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is located on level 2 of the East Quadrangle Building, providing free and confidential services including counselling, stress management, and mood management. You can drop in or make an appointment at counselling.unsw.edu.au.
Disability and Illness Equitable Learning Services (ELS) works to ensure that disabilities and health/mental health concerns don't impact your studies, through assistive technology, adjustments to exam conditions, and other services. Visit student.unsw.edu.au/els for more information.
Financial UNSW can provide financial assistance to students in several ways, including interest-free loans, payment plans, and scholarships. Help is also available from government schemes such as Commonwealth assistance and Centrelink payments. For more information, see student.unsw.edu.au/finance.
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The SRC also provides support for special groups, including safe spaces and collectives. To find out more, visit arc.unsw.edu.au/voice/src/src-spaces.
Academic You can learn about time management and how to stay organised, learn how to reference properly, take English Language conversation classes, or get help with developing healthy study habits and getting back on track. For more info see student.unsw.edu.au/study-support-and-education-support-advisors. Struggling with uni coursework and planning? Uncertain about your career? An academic advisor to help you stay on track and motivated. They can also assist you on areas concerning special consideration and your academic standing. Find out more at student.unsw.edu.au/support-academic-andeducational-performance.
International UNSW provides support and services to help international students transition into life at UNSW, including an airport pickup service, cultural mentoring, and development programs. They also provide support for families of international students. See student.unsw.edu.au/international to find out more.
Indigenous Nura Gili is the Centre for Indigenous Programs at UNSW, providing support, study spaces, and tuition programs for Indigenous students, as well as running community outreach programs and other activities. For more information, visit nuragili.unsw.edu.au.
LGBTIQ+ The Ally@UNSW Network aims to ensure that UNSW is a safe and welcoming for LGBTIQ+ students and staff, as well as providing transition support, referral services, and awareness training. Find out more at student.unsw.edu.au/ally.
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FINDING FINDING YOUR YOUR WAY WAY AROUND AROUND A guide to the Kensington campus
Rush Hour This is the way.
To uni From Central: the 891 from Eddy Avenue Stand D, or the light rail from Haymarket or Central Chalmers Street. Other (slower) buses you can catch include the 391, 393, 395, and M10. From Town Hall/Museum: M10/M50/392/394/396/397/399 Other services Burwood to Bondi Junction via High Street - 400 Leichhardt to Cooge via High Street - 370
From uni To Central: the light rail from near Gate 9, the 893 from Gate 3, the 898 from Gate 8, or the 391, 393, 395, and M10 from NIDA. To Town Hall/Museum: M10/M50/392/394/396/397/399 from NIDA.
Parking
Don't trust public transport to get you to your morning lecture on time? See estate.unsw.edu.au/plan-your-visit/parking for on-campus parking. You can try your luck with street parking, but it'll probably be a little walk away.
For useful travel apps, see page 18
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good food good mood From hearty lunches to the best coffee on campus, here are our picks for UNSW food and drink.
Stellini Pasta Bar Located at the Terraces, Stellini is a go-to for a hearty lunch, serving fresh and delicious pasta.
Q Lounge The Q Lounge in the Quad foodcourt has a variety of well-priced pastries, salads, and lunches, as well as decent coffee.
Roundhouse The Roundhouse has great burgers and chips, and is perfect for unwinding with a drink. It also hosts lots of weekly events.
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Coffee The best places to satisfy your caffeine cravings. Lower campus - Maze Middle campus - Coffee on Campus Upper campus - The Little Marionette
Free Food Tight budget? Chances are there'll be free food somewhere on campus. Facebook groups like UNSW Free Food can help you out - or just follow the smell of sausages!
Microwaves If you're bringing your lunch from home, here are some places where you can heat up your food: Blockhouse Ground Floor Law Library Ground Floor Red Centre Ground Floor
Quad opposite G042 Mathews near foodcourt Main Library Level 2
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Study Space
The right workspace is essential to effective study. Here are some of our favourite on-campus study spots.
Law Library
The Law Library has the only 24/7 study space until May 2020, so head here for your last minute assignments and all-night study sessions. You can also book rooms here (or in the Main Library) via roombookings.library.unsw.edu.au.
Business School
The Business School is a popular study spot, so it can get busy. However it does have the benefits of lots of power points and access to microwaves.
Ainsworth
Ainsworth has three levels for study, as well as housing the CSE labs, which you can use if not booked for a class. See current bookings at cse.unsw.edu.au/~give/Timetables/labs/current.
Main Library
The most popular study spot, the Main Library has nine floors for study, including two floors for silent study and lots of group study rooms you can book. It also has lots of other facilities like printers, scanners, chargers, computers, borrowable laptops, microwaves, and even a nap area. Also, after May 2020, the 24/7 study area will be moved back here. Find out more at library.unsw.edu.au.
Science and Engineering Building
If you’re someone who needs a lot of peace and quiet to study, try the new Science and Engineering Building. There are two floors available with lots of tables and power points.
CATS Rooms
Walked up and down campus and can’t find a good spot? Try finding an empty CATS room for some silent study. Make sure you check the timetable on the door to see if the room is available.
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SURVIVING SURVIVING YOUR YOUR FIRST FIRST TERM TERM
Classes, exams, & uni life
Spellbook Magical websites and apps that will make all your problems disappear.
Planning and Organisation One of the most useful resources out there, CrossAngles is essential for planning out your timetable. Input the courses you are planning to take and it will generate the best timetable, which you can easily rearrange as desired. It can also display current enrolment for each class - but check Timetable for the most up-to-date information. Find CrossAngles at my.campusbiblestudy.org. LinkUp is a society event tracker that collects upcoming events into one place, making them easier to navigate. It displays events happening now so you won’t miss out, and can help you find new societies. Find LinkUp at eventlink.me. Trello is an organisational tool by Atlassian, and is one of the best ways to organise your work, especially when managing a group project, as you can assign tasks, upload files, keep track of due dates, and more. Notion is another great tool, where you can write notes and documents collaboratively, plan tasks and group projects, and make spreadsheets, all in one place. It has the added bonuses of easy formatting and integration of other apps. 17
Navigation The Opal Travel app is great for planning your trip using public transport. You can also use it to manage your Opal card balance. Local students can apply for a concession Opal card on myUNSW. TripView is another useful app that provides real-time locations and schedules of buses, trains, trams, and ferries. Having trouble navigating campus? The Lost on Campus app shows the location and photos of lecture theatres, labs, and tute rooms, as well as giving locations of toilets, microwaves, and vending machines.
Textbooks The UNSW Textbook Exchange Facebook groups are the go-to place for buying and selling textbooks. Some faculties have separate groups.
StudentVIP and Zookal both have textbook exchange markets where you can buy and sell textbooks. Zookal also has textbooks available for loan.
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Exams - The Path to Success Ready Organisation is key. Check out your course outlines for assessment dates and make note of them in your calendar/planner/diary so you can avoid any confusion. Get in the zone. Find a local library, the study spots on page 13, or if you’re studying at home, a quiet spot where you won’t be disturbed. Put any distractions away so you can focus and get your studying done as quickly and efficiently as possible. Remember that you don’t have to do it alone. Talk to mentors or your lecturers/tutors, try group study sessions, or use the resources provided by UNSW. Find out what services your faculty offers and use them!
Set Carefully read over the details of the exam - the types of questions, the content covered, and the length of the exam - you don’t want to be surprised on the day! In particular, make sure you know the exact time and location of the exam. If you need a calculator for your exam, make sure you have an approved calculator and that you get an approval sticker well before the exam, from the Nucleus or your school student centre. See student.unsw.edu.au/exam-approved-calculators-and-computers for more info.
Go Plan your route beforehand, especially if the location of the exam is unfamiliar. You will likely have some exams at the Royal Randwick Racecourse - don’t worry if you don’t know the names of the exam rooms, as there will be plenty of signage around. Bring your UNSW ID card - this is mandatory to bring to every exam. Also bring a clear pencil case and a clear, colourless water bottle with no label. Try not to panic - it’s easier said than done, but panic won’t help! Avoid last-minute cramming so you can be calm and focused going into the exam.
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EXPLORING UNI LIFE Societies are at the heart of uni life, and are essential in making the most of your university experience. Here’s the why and the how of getting involved.
Why join societies? Friends - Societies are great for not only finding new friends, but also building lasting friendships. You’ll be able to meet people with common interests, and have plenty of opportunities to meet up again through society events. Interests - There are over 300 clubs at UNSW, relating to education, culture, hobbies, and everything in between - so there’s guaranteed to be a few that relate to your interests, and some where you can gain new experiences and passions. Skills - Getting more involved with a society through subcommittees is great for developing a range of skills. Most societies recruit their subcommittees early in the year, so keep an eye out for applications opening. Career - Career related societies like WIT can help you develop career skills and connections with industry, through workshops, networking nights, and more. Subcommittees and executive roles can also help you gain experience. Faculties also hold Career Expos throughout the year to connect students with relevant companies. It’s useful to attend these so you can familiarise yourself with the major companies, the skills they look for, and the application process.
How do I get involved? Stay updated - Join societies on SpArc to become an official member, then follow them on Facebook and subscribe to their newsletter to stay updated. Usually, the best way to stay up-to-date with the events and opportunities provided by a society is through social media, particularly Facebook. Just do it! - Don’t hesitate to sign up for the events that interest you. Term 1 will have plenty of social events where you can meet people, bond, find out what the society is all about, and, most importantly, get free stuff.
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WIT WIT AND AND YOUR YOUR CAREER CAREER Advice & opportunities from WIT & the industry
Interview Masterclass Whether it's for an internship, job, or society role, interviews can be daunting and nerve-wracking. Here's a simple recipe to help you leave a good impression.
Preparation Know the organisation - learn about the values, mission, and culture of the company/society via their website and social media channels. This will help you understand what they are looking for in a potential recruit. Know the role - make sure you know the importance of the role and exactly what it entails. Be prepared to talk about the relevant experience and skills you have. Practice - run through common interview questions such as "Tell me about yourself" and "Why do you want to join this company/society?" and think about how you would answer them (don't memorise!). Consider what you know about the organisation and role in your answers.
Keeping your cool Take your time - it's okay to take a moment to think about your answer, or to ask for clarification. Rushing to answer a question can lead to a confusing or off-topic response. Structure your answers the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is useful for behavioural questions like "Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership". Be genuine - avoid clichĂŠd or memorised answers. Your interviewers are looking for someone who will gel with their team, so show them your personality and demonstrate why you will be a great fit.
Presentation First impressions - dress appropriately, while making sure you'll be comfortable. Considering the company culture can also help. Be mindful of your body language, especially posture and eye contact. Final impression - end the interview on a positive note. Emphasise how you are excited and eager about the opportunity.
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Upcoming Events WIT hosts many events on and off campus to help you network, develop skills, and further your career. Here are some upcoming events in Term 1.
Subcommittee Recruitment
Interested in joining our team? Applications are now open for Education, Events, Externals, HR, IT, and Marketing portfolios. Check out our portfolio guide and our Facebook page for more info and to apply. Applications close February 26th.
Meet & Greet with MathSoc
WIT is teaming up with MathSoc for a Meet & Greet on February 19th, featuring boardgames and pizza. Come along to meet new people, find out more about WIT, and eat free food. Find out more on our Facebook page.
Make an App From Scratch with Atlassian In Week 3 we're bringing Atlassian reps to campus to teach you to make an app from scratch, with no prior coding experience required. More info coming soon on our Facebook page and in our newsletters.
LinkedIn Photoshoot
Our photoshoot in Week 3 will help you get ready for recruitment season with a new LinkedIn profile pic! Stay tuned for more details from our Facebook page and newsletters.
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Opportunities WIT works to deliver relevant career-related opportunities to its members - stay updated on Facebook and our newsletter. Here are some opportunities especially for first years.
Deloitte Insider Program
The Deloitte Insider Program is a one-day workshop where you'll get to shadow a Deloitte team for an afternoon, get tips from professionals, and increase your chances of landing a paid internship at Deloitte. This opportunity is open to domestic students in their pre-penultimate year in other words, students with two full years left in their degree. For more info and to apply, visit bit.ly/3124XNV.
EY Careers in Tech Talk Interested in Technology pathways available at EY? EY is hosting a Careers in Tech Talk on the 27th of February. The event will feature a great panel of professionals across Cyber, Data & Analytics, Technology Risk, Digital & Emerging Technology, and more. There will be a mini competition with the audience, followed by the opportunity to speak to EY reps from different technology teams. Registrations will close Monday 24th February and email confirmations will be sent by Tuesday 25th February. Apply here: eysurveytool.ey.com/wix/7/p5181597.aspx.
UNSW Careers Expo
UNSW Careers and Employment runs an annual careers expo where you can network with employers, learn about grad programs and internships, and get tips on furthering your career. The 2020 Expo will be held on March 5th at the Hordern Pavilion, and is free for UNSW students. It will feature over 100 organisations and 400 employer reps. For more information visit facebook.com/events/563846724411472/.
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THE WIT 2020 TEAM
Vivian Shen President
Degree: Data Science & Decisions Likes: drawing (traditional and digital), latte art, pink - you’ll probably see me in pink everyday no joke Favourite song: everything i wanted Current poet: T.S. Eliot Guilty pleasure: Selling Sunset
Kelly Liang
General Secretary
Degree: Commerce/Info Sys Likes: sketching and painting, Maplestory, cats - if you have a cat or send me cat memes I will love you forever Dislikes: early mornings, black coffee, wine Favourite music genre: lofi hip hop radio Hidden talent: using chopsticks - good at separating different coloured M&Ms/beans using chopsticks
Amanda Li
Vice President
Degree: Software Eng/Biomedical Eng Likes: any noodle dish, aesthetic handwriting, dance - Kpop included! I will fangirl with you Dislikes: horror movie trailer ads on YouTube, babies on aeroplanes Guilty pleasure: Kitchen Nightmares Pet peeve: when the person sitting next to you on the bus doesn’t stand up and you have to awkwardly squeeze out
Elizabeth Zhong Treasurer
Degree: Software Eng Likes: games - mostly rpgs like Fire Emblem, Legend of Zelda, Pokemon, art (traditional and digital), music Dislikes: milk >:( Favourite song: Final Distance - Utada Hikaru, covered by Biscuit (I’ve definitely contributed at least 10% of the views) Guilty pleasure: watching Let’s Plays
Vivian Wong
Education Executive
Degree: Actuarial Science/Commerce Likes: being organised, personal growth and challenges, lifelong learning Dislike: failure, noisy people in lectures/the library, wasting time Favourite shows: You, HIMYM Dream job: investment banker or actuary
Rhea Thomas
Externals Executive
Degree: Info Sys Likes: the WIT community, matcha red bean milk tea, my 4 year old Maltese Max Favourite show: Brooklyn Nine-Nine Hidden talent: can dislocate my left thumb Pet peeve: when people reply with 'k'
Elicia Au Duong IT Executive
Degree: Commerce/Computer Science Likes: calligraphy, puppies, lemonade Favourite artists: Bazzi, HRVY, Lauv Favourite movies: Now You See Me, To All The Boys I've Loved Before Favourite shows: Teen Wolf, Titans, Pandora, The Society, Elite, Agent Carter
Gabrielle Younes Events Executive
Degree: Bioinformatic Eng/Adv Science Likes: cooking (high key a Masterchef fanatic), Marvel, basketball Dislikes: 9am classes, pineapple on pizza, Year 12 students taking up the Main Library Hidden talent: black belt in taek wan do Guilty pleasure: Shrek movie marathon
Alison Chin HR Executive
Degree: Info Sys Likes: Arizona Tea, Shiba Inus, low- fi hip hop, Daniel Caesar Favourite shows: HIMYM, Parks & Rec Pet peeve: people stepping on their shoes Guilty pleasure: old eps of The Simpsons
Felicia Ee
Marketing Executive
Degree: Commerce/Software Eng Likes: reading sci-fi and classic novels, baking, playing guitar Dislikes: a low bank balance Favourite movies: The Two Towers, Bourne trilogy Hidden talent: swordplay in Wii Sports
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