There is no doubt that being a uni student can be stressful in a bunch of different ways, managing coursework, assignments and exams as well as a social life and maybe a casual job on the side too. 

But good ol’ University of Newcastle is always here to help, helping to alleviate the financial burden placed on students with a multitude of freebies available to help not only your studies, but fill your belly and keep you entertained and safe. 

So if you’re ready to take full advantage of your student status check out all the different freebies available for students at the University of Newcastle. 

Free advocacy and advice 

If you’re looking for a little bit of help with some serious adulting business the uni has got you covered. 

You can access free and confidential financial advice through the University of Newcastle Student Association (UNSA). These sessions can take place in person, online, or over the phone and occur weekly on Tuesdays. You can make a booking by calling the free intake line on 1800 722 363 or by emailing unsa@newcastle.edu.au from your student email.

UNSA also hosts a number of legal workshops throughout the academic year, covering all the important basics that you need to know to be a successful adult, including workshops surrounding rental rights and road rules. Make sure to keep an eye on the UNSA website and Facebook page for upcoming events. 

However, if you are stuck in a more pressing situation and need legal advice make sure to check out the Legal Clinics offered by the Law School at NUspace. These clinics are run during the University Semesters and are free of charge to students and members of the public. The Legal Centre runs drop-in sessions on Wednesday mornings and has bookable spots on Wednesday evenings. For more information and to book an appointment see the info online from the Newcastle Law School.

Free food 

One thing that no University student can ever get enough of is free food! By now you have probably heard all about the free sausage sizzles happening on campus, but did you know there is more free food than just a good ol soss or veggie patty. 

UNSA hosts Free Food Fridays weekly in the UNSA building on campus for all University students. UNSA has teamed up with OzHarvest to provide a truckload of food to uni students every Friday morning at 9am, pre-bagged and ready to collect. Make sure to get in early though, the food changes on a weekly basis and you don’t want to miss out on the best stuff. 

There are also lots of pop-up free lunches around campus hosted by different clubs and societies, make sure to keep an eye on the ‘What’s On’ website and the University of Newcastle Facebook and Instagram for updates. 

Technology

There are a bunch of opportunities to sharpen up your IT skills, assisting you not only with your studies but with future career prospects as well.

Ask any uni student and they will definitely be familiar with Microsoft Office 365, but did you know that as a student at the University of Newcastle you have access to the entire suite for free! You can access all aspects of Microsoft on up to five PC’s and five mobile devices including Windows, Mac and Android. Check out this link for instructions on how to download and set up on your own personal device/s. 

If your laptop is heading towards an upgrade, or you’ve had enough of trekking it to campus to study, make sure to take advantage of the Dell Student Purchase Program. It’s currently shouting students 20% off selected laptops and 7% off discounted bundle offers. All you need to do is verify your university email address and you’re on your way to some sweet savings!

Once you’re on top of your assignments, or you’re looking for a productive study break make sure to check out all of the online learning tools available to diversify your resume. As students you have access to LinkedIn Learning, a database full of thousands of courses delivered by experts in their field, covering almost any topic you could ever think of. These courses vary in length and can be used to develop skills in your field of study, your part-time job, or just make you a more well-rounded employable person.

Further resume building can be done by completing the SBS Inclusion Courses, which can be accessed via your Blackboard account. Completing these are a great way to build your capability, knowledge and awareness around inclusion and diversity. 

Events on Campus

Just in case you’ve had your head buried in textbooks and haven’t noticed, the University of Newcastle has a bunch of free events on campus to help you de-stress, meet some new friends and make the most out of your University experience. 

You can listen to some fresh tunes at the annual Dj and Band competitions, munch on some popcorn while watching one of the Moonlight Movies, take part in the activities run during Stress Less Week as well as having a chuckle at the Sit-down Stand-up Comedy Shows. 

The events change throughout the year so make sure to keep an eye on the ‘What’s On’ website as well as the University of Newcastle Students Facebook and Instagram for updates

Support

University, and life in general, can sometimes be super overwhelming, and it can be difficult to know where to turn for help. If you’re ever feeling a little stuck and looking for that extra bit of support make sure to have a look at the Student Support page on the website to help decide which of the services is the best fit. 

The Counselling Service offers free, confidential appointments to all students seeking to address issues that may be affecting their studies and/or life. You can access free Counselling appointments either face to face, over the phone or online. They also offer online drop-in sessions via Skype, after-hours phone support, workshops and webinars and a whole range of resources to help cover issues such as Perfectionism, Stress Management, Self-Care and more. Complete this form to request an appointment and if you require assistance please contact Counselling at 49216622, or via student email at counselling@newcastle.ed.au. If you require after hours support you can can contact the University After-hours Support Line on 1300 653 007 / SMS: 0488 884 165, however if you are in crisis or in urgent need of support, please call the Mental Health line on 1800 011 511. In an emergency, please call 000. 

It’s never too early to start preparing yourself for your future career, or to start preparing your resume and brushing up your interview skills for your next job application. Luckily the Careers Services provides free ongoing support for every step in the process of securing a job. You can browse CareerHub for work and volunteering opportunities, get feedback on your resume, practice your interview skills and talk to a Careers Consultant about what your future career might look like. The Careers Service also runs Workshops and Expos throughout the year to help build on your skills and introduce you to potential employers. Make sure to engage with the team through the Ask a Question button in CareerHub or give them a call at (02) 49215588.

You can also access Academic Learning Support for assistance with your university studies, including assistance with writing, maths and independent study skills. The Learning Advisors provide free workshops,learning recourses, e-consults and individual appointments. You can contact them via phone: (02) 4921 5350 or email: learningsupport@newcastle.edu.au

No matter how big or small your issue is, the University of Newcastle is here to help you out. For some of you, you may only be a student for 3 years, for others the journey is a bit longer, so why not make the most of it and take full advantage of all the perks of being a University of Newcastle student.