Student experience and development
Mentoring programs
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 Undergraduate Mentoring Program will help prepare you for academic, professional and personal success during your first semester as a local undergraduate Science 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.
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.
Academic support
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:
- Improving your academic performance
- Setting study goals
- Planning your degree and choosing subjects
- Understanding the range of different student support services available to you and accessing the best resources for your needs
- What to do if you are struggling at university and need some advice
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.
Career planning
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.
Health, wellbeing and support services
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:
- The First Year Toolkit for Success, which provides you with comprehensive information on a variety of social activities, societies, student opportunities and university services that you can get involved with
- Peer-to-peer student mentoring, whether as a first year student (as part of a mentoring group with a senior Student Mentor in your area of study), or by applying to become a Student Mentor yourself after one year of full-time study, where you’ll be professionally trained to build your leadership skills and knowledge of health and wellbeing
- Ther-A-Paws dog therapy sessions (on-campus/online) and other interactive community initiatives to put you in touch with other students and university staff
- The Student Affairs and Engagement Canvas page, your one-stop shop for a huge range of student-led initiatives and activities and other exciting programs available across the Faculty
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:
- Counselling and Mental Health Support – offers free counselling services and workshops for undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University of Sydney; this can help you in times of anxiety, stress and crisis management.
- University Health Service – offers bulk-billed appointments with doctors five days a week.
- Ally network and LGBTIQ support – a trained group of staff and students who support and advocate on behalf of everyone who identifies as LGBTIQ.
- batyr – a non-profit organisation that organises fun events and initiatives with University of Sydney students to enable and empower positive dialogues around mental wellbeing.