How to prepare for university

Students gathering at UNSW Sydney Kensington campus

University is bound to be one of the most exciting times in your life. But the transition from high school to university is also a big one.

Not only does your workload get bigger, there’s also no one holding you accountable for your success but yourself. But don’t let it stress you out – the key is being prepared, from the textbooks and equipment you need to where you need to go on your first day.

Before you start
Your first day
Your first year

Preparing for university

Enrol in your courses

Once you’ve been accepted into your chosen program, you’ll need to enrol in your courses. You’ll receive course recommendations for your first year based on the program and the major you choose. If you’re not sure what you want to major in yet, don’t worry – you might not need to declare one until the end of your first year (it’s a good idea to check on the faculty website or speak to a uni staff member about this). Most courses allow you to choose a range of different subjects so you can explore your options.

“There is a lot of freedom to decide for yourself the subjects or electives you take,” says UNSW law student Jessie, speaking about her first year of uni. “There are so many options, so you truly get to explore areas that interest you.”

Think about your finances

If you haven’t already, it’s also a good idea to think about how you’ll pay for your student life ahead of time, from your course fees to public transport. Make a budget so you know how much you’ll need. Look into scholarship options, HELP loans and perhaps consider getting a part-time job nearby.

How to get in the right headspace for uni life

Set your goals

University life is an exciting opportunity to broaden your horizons and build the foundations for your future. But it can also be overwhelming at times. The best thing to do is adopt a positive mindset: jot down your goals for university and the future and refer back to these whenever you’re feeling stressed – it helps to remind yourself why you’re there in the first place.

Build a support system

Having a good support system around you can also help. Whether you’re new in town or not, connect with other students, join clubs and study groups. It’s worth checking out UNSW’s student support services, too – even if you don’t need to use them, it always helps to know they’re there. You’ll find

Finally, keep yourself open to new opportunities and get ready for a life changing experience.

How to prepare for your first day of university

Attend O-Week

One of the best things you can do to prepare for your first day of university is sign up for O-Week. Short for “Orientation Week”, O-Week is the week before your first week of classes. You’ll have the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the campus so you can figure out where you’ll need to go for your classes, as well as where other important places like libraries, study areas, student services and food options are located. Make sure you know how you’re going to get there on your first day, too, and do a practice run in advance – you don’t want to be late for your first class!

Connect with other students

O-Week is also a great chance to connect with other students before you start and learn about the student societies, study groups and sports teams you might want to join – UNSW is home to more than 300 of them. Arc is UNSW’s student organisation that looks after our clubs, societies and most student events.

What do you need for university

Textbooks and course materials

Once you’ve enrolled in your courses, you may get a list of the textbooks and course materials you need. You’ll need a laptop or tablet to take notes during classes and complete and submit your assignments. There will also be computers and printers available to use on campus if you need these, too, so find out how you can access these in advance. There are also some online university systems you’ll use while you’re studying – set up your accounts and get familiar with them before you start.

Student ID and policies

It’s also a good idea to apply for your student ID before your first day, too. You can do this up to two months before your first term. You should also familiarise yourself with student policies and codes of conduct.

How to prepare for your first year of university

Plan out your year

One of the best things about university is you can build your study load around your life. You can decide whether you study full-time or part-time, and a lot of classes offer in-person and online learning to fit around your existing commitments. You’ll be able to map out the subjects you want to take that year and enrol in them the term before. Remember, UNSW’s 3+ system gives you more flexibility to make your studies work for you.

Make time for you

It's important you build some flexibility into your schedule, too. University life isn’t just about studying after all. “Compared to high school, you’ll have a lot more freedom and independence at university,” says Jessie. “I was most surprised by the control I had over my own schedule and course load, as students are given quite a lot of options for class time slots. This allowed me to set aside time during the “normal school day” for social activities and work.”

Understand the difference between uni exams and HSC

The main difference between studying for your HSC and university is that you’re responsible for managing your own time – including making sure you’re attending your classes, submitting your assignments and preparing for and getting to your exams.

Pass with confidence

Make sure you’re attending your classes, taking notes and doing your readings. This is the best way to confidently tackle your exams and assignments. If you want some extra help, check out a Peer Assisted Study Session (PASS). It’s a good way to chat through the course content, get advice from students who have been there before, and make some new friends. You can also reach out to our Academic Skills Support crew for workshops, mentoring and tools for nailing your studies.