Free food, freebies, events and tips to make the most of Welcome
 

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16 February 2026

One week until Semester 1

 

This edition

To-do this week

What's on at Welcome?

Key dates

What's happening at Sydney

Welcome to your third edition of Student News!

One week until Semester 1 – how did that happen so fast? Whether you’re ticking off last‑minute to‑dos, enjoying your free time before classes start, or just realising you should probably open Canvas (no judgement), this edition is here to help.

Scroll on for everything you need to get ready for Week 1, including timetables, Library basics, key dates and what to expect as a Sydney student.

We’ve also got your guide to Welcome – from stalls and freebies at Welcome Fest to events across campus to help you settle in and meet new people.

This edition

To-do this week

What's on at Welcome?

Key dates

What's happening at Sydney

Welcome to your third edition of Student News!

One week until Semester 1 – how did that happen so fast? Whether you’re ticking off last‑minute to‑dos, enjoying your free time before classes start, or just realising you should probably open Canvas (no judgement), this edition is here to help.

Scroll on for everything you need to get ready for Week 1, including timetables, Library basics, key dates and what to expect as a Sydney student.

We’ve also got your guide to Welcome – from stalls and freebies at Welcome Fest to events across campus to help you settle in and meet new people.


To-do this week

Access and review your Semester 1 timetable 📋

Your class timetable is now available in Sydney Timetable. You can review and adjust your timetable until 11:59 pm on Sunday 8 March. 

 

Set up multi‑factor authentication (MFA) 📲

Make sure you can access your University accounts without any hiccups by familiarising yourself with multi‑factor authentication (MFA). MFA adds an extra layer of security to your UniKey login and is required to access key systems and services.

 

Need help? Visit a Student Services Hub 🙋‍♂️

If you need support during your studies, Student Services Hubs are located across our campuses and offer in‑person help with everyday questions – from getting set up at uni to finding the right service for your needs.
New and continuing students are welcome to walk in or book an appointment from 16 February to 31 March.

 

Explore Canvas 💻

Canvas is our online learning platform, where you'll find your unit of study outline, learning resources such as lecture notes and recordings, and activities including quizzes.

 

Make sure you have your Unique Student Identifier (USI) 🪪

A Unique Student Identifier (USI) is your personal education identifier from the Australian Government, and you’ll need one to study in Australia, access your results and graduate. Make sure you have a USI and provide it to us in Sydney Student.


What's on at Welcome?

Students on the lawn at USU's Welcome Fest

Top tips to have the best time at Welcome Fest 🎉

Last week, you told us what you wanted to see more of at Welcome Fest, with free food and freebies topping the list.

The good news? Welcome Fest delivers, with plenty of free and cheap eats, as well as hundreds of stalls, giveaways and events happening across campus.

To help you make the most of it (without doing everything), here are our top tips for enjoying Welcome Fest.

🥾 Go at your own pace
You don’t need to do everything all at once. Take breaks, dip into shaded chill‑out zones, or visit our quiet room (Resources Room, Level 4, Chau Chak Wing Museum) if you need time out.

😌 Start with quiet hour
Prefer a calmer vibe? Quiet hour runs from 9–10 am every day of Welcome Fest, making it a great time to explore stalls and find your bearings before things get busier.

🟠 Ask an SLA if you need help
Student Life Ambassadors (SLAs) are across campus at info booths and can help with directions, event info, or point you to the nearest water refill station. They can also provide accessibility support, directing you to routes with ramp access and spaces with flooring (like the lawns in front of the Quad) to ensure smooth access to stalls and activities. 

😎 Stay cool and sun‑safe
The weather is set to be quite hot on Wednesday, so bring sunscreen, seek shade and hydrate regularly.

USU Food Truck

Welcome Fest hacks you’ll thank yourself for later 💡

👜 Bring a tote bag – perfect for carrying all those freebies.

🥪 Pack snacks or bring lunch from home – while there's plenty of food around, it never hurts to have a bite on hand!

💧 Bring a reusable water bottle – you can refill throughout the day on campus.

👟 Wear comfy shoes – you'll be doing a lot of walking, your feet will thank you!

Looking for free food and freebies? 👀

Find out where to eat, what’s on and how to make the most of the three days with your Ultimate Guide to Welcome Fest.

 
Great Hall

New to uni? Receive a magical welcome in the Great Hall 🪄

Feel like you're joining Hogwarts with our Welcome Ceremony in the Great Hall this Wednesday 18 February from 9:30 am. The Ceremony is your official welcome to the University and will feature a Smoking Ceremony, Welcome to Country, and addresses from our Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services), Professor Reuben Bolt, and your student leaders. Arrive early to get a seat in the Great Hall or watch from outside the Quadrangle on the Front Lawns, where the event will be livestreamed.

 
Chau Chak Wing Museum

Check out our museum on campus 🖼️

Explore one of the most unique spots on campus during Welcome Fest – the Chau Chak Wing Museum. Check out the pop‑up museum, Walking the Footsteps of Our Ancestors, or head inside to explore the exhibitions on show. It’s free and packed with intriguing artefacts and exhibitions (and some say, the best coffee on campus at Sounds Cafe!).

 
Sydney Uni Sport stall at Welcome Fest

Meet Sydney Uni Sport at Welcome Fest 🏐

Meet Sydney Uni Sport, your go-to for all things sport and fitness at Welcome Fest. Grab a discounted student gym pass, sign up to a sporting club, or get involved in one a program to kick-start uni life. There’ll be inflatable soccer and basketball, prizes up for grabs, New Balance Sydney Uni merch, and $5 My Muscle Chef meals to keep you going. Sport, freebies and good vibes – see you there!

 

Top stories

Graphic showcasing horse and associated Spring festival imagery

Welcome the Year of the Horse 🐎

Tomorrow, Tuesday 17 February, welcomes the Year of the Horse, a year traditionally associated with strength, perseverance and aspiration. In this explainer, Professor Xiaohuan Zhao from the School of Languages and Cultures unpacks what the Year of the Horse represents – and why 2026 is a rare Fire Horse year.

Want to celebrate in person? Tomorrow from 4 pm we're hosting a special Year of the Horse event with food, student performances, a traditional dragon dance, and hands‑on activities including lantern making and calligraphy.

 
Students wearing USYD merch

Half price hoodies are now on sale! 🤑

Last week, over 1000 of you were keen for our merch sale! We're excited to announce that from today, you can enjoy 50% off selected University of Sydney hoodies, crew necks and tees at USYD stores across campus. Shop in store during Welcome and rep the University with pride. A valid student ID is required, with a limit of two eligible items per transaction. Get in quick – this deal is only available while stocks last. 

 

bus emoji

No matter how you get to uni, we've got you.

Whether you bus it via City or Parramatta Road, hop off the train at Redfern Station, or walk or cycle, there's plenty of ways to get to campus. Visit our Getting to campus page for public transport options, shuttle bus timetables, and the best routes, and plan ahead and check Transport NSW for the latest updates.

No matter how you get here, always do so with safety in mind – use pedestrian crossings, traffic lights and over road footbridges, and remove distractions like phones and headphones when crossing roads. 


Key dates

Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 February: USU's Welcome Fest

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Friday 20 February: Last day to enrol for Semester 1

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Monday 23 February: Semester 1 begins

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Friday 6 March: Last day to add or change a unit of study

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Sunday 8 March: Last day to adjust your Semester 1 timetable

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Tuesday 31 March: Semester 1 census date

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For more information on important study dates, check out our key dates page.


Student resources

Student website | Student Portal | Sydney Student | Key dates | Student support | Scams support

What's happening at Sydney

 
Students in library

Build up your library confidence 💪

New to uni and not sure where to start with the Library? Your Library sessions are designed to help you get familiar with library spaces, resources, facilities and support available to you at the University. You’ll also take part in a short activity to practise what you’ve learned, so you can head into semester feeling more confident and prepared to nail your studies.

 
Students in The Quad

Learn how the Careers Centre can help 💼

Last week, some of you told us you wanted to hear more about career support and how to start thinking about what comes next. From Here to Hired is a chance to meet Careers Centre staff in person and learn how they can support your career journey from Day 1. Come along to find out what support is available and how to make the most of it throughout your degree and beyond.

 
cultural connect

Meet mates from around the world 🌍

Want to make new friends and learn about different cultures? Cultural Connect, on this Friday 20 February, is a relaxed session where you can connect with peers from across the globe while sharing drinks and snacks from different cultures. This event is a great chance to chat, swap stories and feel more connected on campus in a welcoming, low‑pressure setting.

 

Put your vocals to the test at USU's Karaoke Night 🎤

Think you’ve got what it takes to hit those high notes? Belt out your favourite tunes at USU's Karaoke Night from 5 pm this Friday 20 February at Hermann’s Bar. Bring your crew, pick your song, and belt it out like the superstar you know you are.

 

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