FUTURE STUDENTS
Personal Support & Development
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Well, that’s what we believe at UNSW.
And to prove it, here are just some of the ways in which we support our students’ wellbeing and development:
The UNSW Counselling Service COMPASS Programs for personal support and self-development
Leadership, Teamwork & Volunteering
Careers and Employment for developing your skills
Other Sources of Personal Support
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- Learning how to deal effectively with emotional and psychological issues like depression, anxiety, stress, low self-confidence etc.
- Creative problem-solving and troubleshooting techniques with everyday problems like time management, as well as specialised areas like researching a thesis where intellectual openness and curiosity, appreciation of the interconnectedness of knowledge and the role of uncertainty are vitally important.
- Expanding your repertoire of other transferable, generic skills such as: effective communication skills; critical, conceptual and reflective thinking; problem-solving skills; leadership skills; working in groups and teams, and so on. All these generic-type skills are part of what make up your Graduate Attributes which can greatly increase your employability if you know how to assess which skills you have and how to use them. Your Graduate Attributes are a major focus of current and future development at UNSW.
- OR just needing someone to talk to who will listen to you, and support you in making and managing changes.
Leadership experience opportunities on campus abound, including Peer Mentoring and student professional societies within Schools and Faculties. The UNSW Union’s Student Leadership and Alumni Program S.L.A.P. runs throughout the year, providing workshops on topics ranging from Conflict Management to Personal Productivity, from Values and Ethics to Motivating Others.
The Union also offers many opportunities for Teamwork. Apart from the S.L.A.P. program above which specifically covers topics such asTeambuilding & Building Trust, Group Dynamics and Facilitation, there is also Campus Community Funding available to all UNSW students to assist them in planning, running any event or program that aims to assist worthy student initiatives. Most of these programs are run by groups or teams of students and provide invaluable experience as well as worthwhile outcomes. The huge number of Clubs and Societies on Campus (CASOC) are all run by student teams according to accepted protocol, as are the very popular Revues written and performed each Session on campus by various Schools and factions!
Also, workshops on teamwork and groupwork are run periodically by the UNSW Counselling Service COMPASS Programs and may also be designed by request.
As you can see so far, there are many different types of Volunteering opportunities you can get involved in at UNSW, many of which are available through the UNSW Union. Some examples include:
- CONTACT: This is the student-run information and referral centre on campus. Contact provides a wealth of information about the University's services and facilities as well as more general information about community and health issues and services, all in a welcoming, confidential environment.
- Learning the Lingo: One of the great ways to meet lots of new people is through the Learning the Lingo program. This is a social support network for UNSW International Students, with BBQs, movies, trips in and around Sydney.
- Students Training Students (STS): STS is a series of short professional courses geared at developing skills you need for both academic and professional success. The aim is to create an environment of open communication which encourages the learning of new insights so that students are able to see a noticeable improvement in their skills.
- Yellow Ribbon Campaign: UNSW has been a local champion of the international Yellow Ribbon Campaign raising awareness of youth depression, ways of caring for young people experiencing depression, and the idea that It’s OK to ask for help. Student volunteers have taken a major leadership role in this important campus community program.
- Student Employment - information on our employment programs, such as the UNSW Careers Expo, Graduate Recruitment Program and JobsOnline.
- Careers Education - careers related resources, from interview skills to resumes and cover letters.
- Career Management Service – for high schools and non-UNSW students
The UNSW Union also provides some great Opportunities on Campus.
Develop your personal and career related skills while you get your degree and you’ll be streets ahead of the rest.
The Student Guild is the main student representative body on campus with a focus on student welfare and advocacy. They provide free legal advice, advocacy and representation when dealing with academic grievances or UNSW administration, advice on dealing with Centrelink, childcare information, plus general information and referral. They also make sure that the student voice is heard on campus and run a support system for a large number of clubs and societies.
International Student Services (ISS) provides personalised advice and support and promotes understanding between people from different cultures through a wide range of educational, social and recreational activities. With services ranging from assisting new students adjust to Australia and help finding accommodation, to individual assistance with personal wellbeing issues, ISS takes good care of our international students.
Nura Gili Indigenous Programs provide a mix of practical assistance and social support for indigenous students in a friendly welcoming atmosphere, as well as promoting understanding of indigenous issues. The staff play a very broad role in looking after all aspects of students’ wellbeing. Nura Gili Indigenous Programs also provide encouragement for indigenous students to apply to university through an indigenous access scheme and also provide continuing academic skills support once students arrive at UNSW.
The Religious Centre provides a different kind of personal support, catering for the spiritual and religious needs of the University community. Students and staff are served by chaplains who represent the Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Mormon and Muslim faiths. Within Christianity, the Anglican, Catholic, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, and Uniting Churches, and the Salvation Army all provide chaplains. Why not drop in to the third floor of the Squarehouse for a visit? With such a large and diverse population on campus, the UNSW Religious Centre has something to suit everybody’s spiritual and religious beliefs.
