Summer break is here, and it is time to take advantage and explore all the warm Aussie coast can offer! Coming from someone currently on a semester exchange in the freezing depths of Canada (which it makes up for in its beauty), I am fully committed to taking advantage of the warm weather and beaches down under when I return. Don’t know where to start? … Continue reading Things to do over the summer break
Many of the international students I’m friends with are either going home or staying back to continue their journey. Whatever the reasons are, the transition from being a full-time student to a working adult is exhilarating, yet the journey can be scary and bumpy at the start. At one point, I was so lost that I thought maybe going home to my loved ones and … Continue reading Navigating Post-Graduation: A Comprehensive Guide for International Students in Australia
“I’ll do anything for free stuff” – Sandra Bullock. I didn’t come up with that statement, but it is a statement that every University of Newcastle student can relate to, domestic and international students alike. With the increase in the price of groceries and stress due to work and studies, the next point of action is to access the free services your campus has to … Continue reading Freebies on campus
My Journey to UNSA SRC: Dealing with Rejection and Finding Growth Have you ever considered the possibility of making a significant impact on your university’s services? I have- SO much so that I nominated myself as a student representative for the UNSA SRC (University of Newcastle Student Association Student Representative Council). My goal was to be a voice for fellow students and drive positive changes … Continue reading I nominated myself in the SRC elections and lost
As we’re hurtling toward exam season and the semester’s end, this article will give you tips to navigate the coming stormy weeks. The “Stress Less” initiative at the University of Newcastle is here, and it’s a beacon of relaxation and self-care amid the chaos. What’s Stress Less all about? Stress Less is like a warm, comforting embrace during busy academic seasons. It’s an initiative that … Continue reading Self-care strategies and “Stress Less” activities
We’re already halfway through the semester?! Gosh, time flies! Realising how much piled up work and commitments we have on our plate. BURNOUT ALERT INCOMING!! As a final-year student, I can feel the burnout coming from all directions! Juggling academic responsibilities, placements and internships, volunteering hours, social engagements with family and friends, and personal development of our own passion projects and hobbies as well as career … Continue reading Recognising and preventing burnout
University can be stressful and how we use our down time can massively shape how we feel in the week ahead. If (like me) you often find yourself feeling glued to your phone or endlessly scrolling social media and then getting frustrated that you can’t seem to stop, you might want to try going on a Digital Detox. The concept of Digital Detoxing has been … Continue reading 5 fun ways to unplug, relax and unwind!
Around the middle of semester, it’s easy to get so caught up in study that we find it difficult to remind ourselves to take breaks and do things we enjoy. But to have the energy to tackle the rest of our classes, assignments and exams, it’s important to take time to reflect and relax when we can. ‘Rest is not idle, not wasteful. Sometimes rest … Continue reading Relaxing and recharging after a busy week
The preparations for placement can take bit of time and planning. But there’s a payoff – you get to experience the fun, dynamic, intense and often life-affirming joys of placement. This is a glimpse into a possible future and it’s something to be excited about! Connect to your supports It’s vital to line up your supports before you need them. Nurture your connections with friends, … Continue reading Preparations for Placement
We all have the right to feel safe and secure, and with the university break coming up, our daily activities might look a bit different. With that in mind, we’ve spoken to Jayne McCartney, the Respectful Communities Coordinator at the University of Newcastle, to see how students can feel safe while enjoying their time off. What are some safety services that the University offers? The … Continue reading Living your best life in the uni break
Late mid-semester breaks aren’t always easy. You push yourself for ten weeks, maybe get two weeks off (more likely use those two weeks to study and prepare for the month of assessments and exams when you get back) and then go straight into a month or so of intensive end-of-semester assignments and exams before launching straight into the festive season. When I signed up to … Continue reading Managing End of Year Burnout
With the end of the study term fast approaching, it’s natural for stress and anxiety to come creeping in. If you’re feeling in a bit of a slump or looking for fun ways to re-energise and get your spark back, why not give Creative Self Care a go! Whether you’ve carved out a solid self-care ritual or you’re totally new to the self-care … Continue reading Creative Tips for Self Care
