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14 April 2025

Week 8, Semester 1

 

This edition

To-do this week

Top stories

What's happening at Sydney

Events

Welcome to your Week 8 edition of Student News!

Can you believe that mid-semester break is next week? You'll have a whole week off from classes from Monday 21 to Friday 25 April, which we hope you'll use to take a breather, catch up on sleep, and tick off some study to-dos.

For those that took part in our poll last week, thanks for sharing all the different ways you practise sustainability! This week, we bring you another way to up your sustainability game, as well as tips to get more satisfaction out of your life, work, and relationships. Plus, we share what you should know before voting in the upcoming federal election. Happy reading and enjoy next week's break!

This edition

To-do this week

Top stories

What's happening at Sydney

Events

Welcome to your Week 8 edition of Student News!

Can you believe that mid-semester break is next week? You'll have a whole week off from classes from Monday 21 to Friday 25 April, which we hope you'll use to take a breather, catch up on sleep, and tick off some study to-dos.

For those that took part in our poll last week, thanks for sharing all the different ways you practise sustainability! This week, we bring you another way to up your sustainability game, as well as tips to get more satisfaction out of your life, work, and relationships. Plus, we share what you should know before voting in the upcoming federal election. Happy reading and enjoy next week's break!


To-do this week

Get academic help from the Learning Hub

As we approach mid-semester break, it's important you know where to find academic help if you need it. Access a wealth of free academic support resources from the Learning Hub – from peer-to-peer support and self-access resources to class-style workshops including writing, oral communication and critical thinking. 

 

Find out how students are using generative artificial intelligence (AI) to prepare for class

With generative AI tools like Cogniti and Copilot, you can make preparing for class efficient and fun. Check out our Instagram Reels video to see how current students are harnessing AI to support their learning and study. 

 

Take part in our neuroaffirming workshops

From preparing for exams to creating meaningful connections in your personal life, you're invited to take part in Student Wellbeing's neuroaffirming workshops – a range of workshops to support your academic and personal growth. Workshops take place every Wednesday 12–1 pm and Friday 2–3 pm of semester in Jane Foss Russell Building (G02).

 

Get involved in the hard-to-recycle material drive

Have old batteries or empty pens lying around? Reduce landfill waste and recycle them at the Recycling Hub on Level 2 of Wentworth Building (G01). Recycle batteries, medicine blister packs, skincare packaging, toner and ink, and more. 

 

Check out the Chocolate Scorecard and choose better chocolate

Getting into the chocolate this Easter? Consider checking it against the Chocolate Scorecard to see whether it's produced ethically. If you're interested in learning more about mitigating the risk of modern slavery, join our Student Human Rights network. 


Top stories

A person working at the election wearing a purple shirt that says 'Your vote is a valuable thing'.

Photo credit: Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) – flickr.

Key things to know before voting in a federal election 🗳️

The federal election is coming up on Saturday 3 May. To help you prepare, we've summarised what you need to know before voting. From how to find your electorate and who your local candidates are to how preferential voting works, we're here to ensure you feel confident voting this election.

 
Four USYD students with other youth delegates Emirates LitFest.

Student delegates joined the Emirates LitFest 📖

As the only youth delegation from Australia, four University of Sydney students majoring in Arabic Language and Cultures joined the Middle East’s major international literary festival to engage in cross-cultural dialogue and the power of storytelling in the Arab world. See what students had to say about their visit to the Emirates LitFest.

 
A cartoon of six people, some embracing, hugging and laughing.

Illustration by Jenny van Rantingen.

How to get more satisfaction out of your life, work, and relationships 🤩

"Values not only anchor us in who we are at our core, they also serve as our compass." 

Looking for more nuggets of wisdom like this? Founder and CEO of Human Leadership Lab and alumna May Samali shares her top tips for embracing experimentation as a mindset and building the life of your dreams.

 

Happy Passover (Pesach) ✡️

Passover (Pesach) takes place from 12–20 April this year. The festival celebrates the redemption of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt, and is a time to celebrate freedom and family. To find out more about Passover, reach out to the Australasian Union of Jewish Students.

Chag pesach sameach (happy Passover) to those who celebrate!


What are your plans for mid-semester break?

Catching up on my studies 📚
Resting 😴
Going on a road trip 🚗
I haven't made any plans yet 🤔
Other (click this button to tell us in the comments) 🗣️


Happy Easter ⛪

Easter Sunday and Orthodox Easter (Pascha) are both on 20 April this year. Both festivals commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and are a time of joy and renewal after the Lenten season of fasting and penitence. There are many faith and religion societies who celebrate Easter. Find out about them on the USU clubs and society page.

Happy Easter and Orthodox Easter to those who celebrate! 


What's happening at Sydney

 
Three students gardening

Students taking part in a gardening workshop funded by Student Life Grants.

Receive up to $5000 towards creating a community project or event

The Student Life Grants are your opportunity to make a positive impact on your community. Access up to $5000 to fund a project idea that supports students in social and cohort building, careers and skills building, academic enhancement opportunities, and engaging with community and culture. Apply for a Student Life Grant before Sunday 18 May. 

 
The 11 recipients of the 2024 USU Life Membership Award.

2024 USU Life Membership recipients. 

Nominate for the USU Life Membership Award 🏆

USU Life Membership is an award that recognises students who have made an extraordinary contribution to our community. Recipients receive a free Rewards membership, invites to special VIP events throughout the year, and a lifetime of USU benefits. Nominate a friend or yourself before Tuesday 22 April.

 
Five people sitting on a couch comparing notes.

Access a 25 million dollar fund to support your startup 🤝

Have an innovative idea or exciting startup in the health or tech space? Take advantage of the Pre-Seed Launch Fund – a first-of-its-kind fund in NSW that invests in innovative ideas and high-potential people, translating academic research into high-growth companies. Students, staff and alumni alike have access to this fund, so check it out!

 

Apply for Sydney Quantum Academy's PhD Scholarship Program ⚛️

Want to work with the world's leading quantum researchers at the University and gain industry-ready skills? Apply for the Sydney Quantum Academy PhD Scholarship Program before Wednesday 14 May for the opportunity to join a supportive, vibrant PhD student community and benefit from a competitive stipend and career development funding.


Events

 
A crowd of people at the ANZAC day dawn service in the Quad.

Take part in our ANZAC Day dawn service on campus 🎖️

Join us at the Quadrangle at 5 am on Friday 25 April for a traditional ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day dawn service. This traditional dawn service is open to all and offers an opportunity to honour the ANZACs and reflect on the many different meanings of war.

 
People networking at an INCUBATE event.

Meet startup founders and get to know INCUBATE at their open day 🚀

Curious about the world of startups and entrepreneurship? Attend INCUBATE Open Day on Thursday 8 May and find out more about the University's startup program. Gain entrepreneurial insights from a panel of alumni, meet and network with startup founders across all stages of the startup journey, and find out how INCUBATE can support your idea or venture.

 
 
Students walking down Eastern avenue. There is a flag that reads 'Leadership for good'.

Explore postgraduate study across May 📚

Considering further study? Explore your options in May –our Postgraduate Month. There's a range of in-person and online events to attend, from taster classes and course information sessions to networking opportunities, so check out the schedule and discover where postgraduate study at Sydney can take you. 

 

Three stills from a video of student Jewel running around campus wearing a helmet with a camera strapped to it.

Run Jewel's Campus Tour 🏃‍♀️

Is your bike too heavy to get around campus? No problem – you can run everywhere instead! First year student Jewel is here to demonstrate how to race around campus on foot.


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