Taking part in a mentoring program will give you the opportunity to meet other students and build networks, learn about student life and help you gain valuable academic skills as you settle into the University of Sydney.
These include programs for local undergraduate students, international undergraduate students, Dalyell Scholars and undergraduate students aged 25+.
The Domestic Mentoring Program will help prepare you for academic, professional and personal success during your first semester as a local undergraduate Arts and Social Sciences student.
You’ll be supported by a senior Student Mentor in your area of study from Welcome Day and have an early opportunity to make new friends, access student skills workshops and social events, and learn important information about planning your degree.
Moving to a new country can be exciting and challenging. By joining our International Mentoring Program, you'll connect with other international students, ask questions, and participate in fun social activities. You’ll also have access to skills-building workshops, talks, seminars and networking opportunities online and on Campus.
The Dalyell Mentoring Program spans across the three-years of the Dalyell Scholars Program. Year One consists of an 8 week-long peer mentoring program with senior Dalyell students that connects new Dalyell scholars together to assist with your transition into university.
Mentoring focuses on orientation at university and skill building workshops that equip you with the knowledge required to actively participate in career path exploration and excel academically at university.
Dalyell Scholars are also encouraged to attend events during the semester along with their Dalyell Mentors. This includes university-wide Dalyell events and faculty-specific opportunities.
Our 25+ Mentoring Program is a specialised option for non-school leaver students who are generally 25 years or older. It is up to you whether you opt in to this program. If you are younger and have not come straight from school, you can also join the program. You will be matched with a mentor and other students in a similar age group.
The Education and Social Work Mentoring Program follows a structured workshop schedule during the first eight weeks of your first semester. You’ll learn how to make the most of lectures and seminars, how to use the library and educational databases, learn about academic writing and referencing style, develop a reflective journal (a skill widely used in the school’s coursework), participate in competitions and meet with other first-year students in a vibrant and friendly environment.
The “Communities of Support” Program is designed to offer guidance and support for First in Family students as they navigate their first year of university study.
By participating in the program, you will learn a lot about how university works, what skills and strategies might help you to do well in your studies, and also get the chance to meet other first year First in Family students in a friendly and supportive environment.
Getting your head around the style of teaching and learning at university and what is expected of you can take a bit of time. We have a range of resources available on our student website including information about learning services and workshops to help you strengthen your academic skills, details of study spaces around campus and other helpful information.
We have a team of dedicated academic advisors to offer you advice and support you throughout your studies. You can talk to them about a range of different topics including:
As soon as you’re enrolled and have access to Canvas, we recommend enrolling in our Student Affairs and Engagement Canvas page, which includes a useful Self-Degree Check tool, student-created study resources, and lots more information about all the great services and opportunities available to you in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
We also offer a writing support drop-in service to all undergraduate students in the faculty. Run by staff in our Department of Writing Studies, they are also an opportunity for you to receive individualised feedback on your essay drafts, outlines, arguments and ideas.
Our career programs offer undergraduate and postgraduate students a diverse range of paid and virtual placements, internships for academic credit with government, corporate, not for profit organisations and Indigenous communities. Students have placed with organisations as varied as CommBank, Macquarie Dictionary, NSW Government, City of Sydney, Westpac, Amnesty International, and NSW Department of Education, among many more.
You can also attend exclusive Faculty events including Careers Panels, industry networking events, and an abundance of Careers Centre workshops to help you identify your career options, build your essential skills and professional identity and achieve your career goals.
As a University of Sydney student in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, your health and wellbeing is supported at every stage of your degree. Some of the ways you can engage with our Faculty include:
You can email our Student Affairs and Engagement team with any questions relating to your studies and to find out more about health and wellbeing programs and support services
You’ll also have access to a range of health, wellbeing and support services at the University of Sydney, including:
The award winning Student Partnership Program connects like-minded students in different areas of study in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Your community is led by your Student Representatives, who are elected student leaders that are responsible for advocating for you and building your experience at university.
All students in each discipline of study in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences have the opportunity to:
Students who are interested in developing their leadership skills and experience have the opportunity to apply to join the Student Partnership Program at the beginning of Semester 1 each year. Roles are offered on a department, program, stream and committee-level basis throughout the faculty.
By joining the program as a Student Partner, you’ll get the opportunity to:
If you have further questions about becoming a Student Representative, please contact us at fass.studentpartners@sydney.edu.au
The Student Experience Innovation Grants program is a unique opportunity to develop a fully-funded student experience initiative for Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences students. Students can access up to $2,500 of funding and partner with staff and other student leaders to facilitate projects that build cross-cultural connections and make an impact on the academic, personal and professional success of our students.
You'll be given the opportunity to:
A number of Student Experience Innovation Grants have also been developed into established, nationally-recognised student-led programs and projects, such as the Sydney Policy Reform Project and Therapaws health and wellbeing initiative.
To find out more and how to apply, please email us at fass.studentaffairsandengagement@sydney.edu.au
The Sydney Policy Reform Project provides students with the opportunity to voluntarily contribute to the policy and law reform work of under-resourced community and public agencies, with supervision from University academics.
Previously, students have carried out research in areas of human rights, mental health care, barriers to vaccination, criminal justice, Indigenous justice, data ethics, credit licensing, racist extremism, and aged care.
To find out more, including terms of reference and how to apply, please email us at fass.studentaffairsandengagement@sydney.edu.au