Workshops, programs and online resources


Pre-session workshops

Academic literacy workshops

Academic literacy workshops are short workshops (two-four hours, two-day, four-day or online) that run before and during session. The workshops will give an introduction to what's expected of you at university and develop essential literacy skills such as essay writing, critical analysis, referencing, note taking and assignment preparation.

For more information go to the Academic literacy workshops page.

Maths Start workshops

The Mathematics Education Support Hub (MESH) runs Maths Start refresher workshops before Autumn Session. Revise your skills in Algebra, Statistics, Trigonometry and Calculus and be ready for the start of semester. For registration and more information visit the Maths Start Bridging Program (opens in a new window). All workshop materials are available through the Maths Start vUWS site. If you don't have the Maths Start Workshops site in your My vUWS Sites, please contact MESH for access.

For more information and for other MESH maths and stats workshops and services, visit the MESH events, workshops and programs page (opens in a new window).

Returning to Learning workshop

The Returning to Learning workshop is perfect for mature age students who have had a break from education or are coming through a pathway program. You'll explore issues relevant to your success as a mature age student. You will learn to:

  • manage your responsibilities as a student
  • understand the university environment
  • enhance your time management
  • develop your support networks
  • understand the online learning environment

Due to COVID19 restrictions we are unable to offer this workshop face to face in 2021. Please consider the on-demand version of this workshop through vUWS as in the online resources section below. If you have any questions regarding returning to learning please contact us counselling@westernsydney.edu.au or call 1300370 668 (option 4 then 1)  to book an appointment with one of the Counselling team.

During session workshops

Academic literacy and grammar workshops

Academic literacy workshops are short workshops (two-four hours, two-day, four-day or online) that run before and during session. The workshops will give an introduction to what's expected of you at university and develop essential literacy skills such as essay writing, critical analysis, referencing, note taking and assignment preparation. Grammar workshops focus on improving the accuracy of your sentences.

For more information go to the Academic literacy workshops page.

MESH - maths and statistics help

The Mathematics Education Support Hub (MESH) offers learning support services in maths and stats, from refresher programs and test preparation workshops to online resources. For a full list of services go to MESH's Events, Workshops and Programs page.
  • Drop-in MESH maths and stats help is available in many campus libraries, no appointment needed. View the times and venues (opens in a new window).
  • MESH's online tutoring service I Don't Get It and online foundational maths and stats learning resources, on vUWS site Improve Your Maths, are available throughout the year. Access I Don't Get It from the Improve Your Maths vUWS site. If you cannot access the resources, please email MESH.
  • MESH runs workshops to assist students in well over a dozen courses and units. These workshops target specific first (and some second) level units that involve quantitative content. Examples of the extensive number of units targeted are Statistics for Business, Quantitative Thinking, Biomechanics and Mathematics for Engineers Preliminary. MESH also runs workshops for education students and nursing students. Visit the Events, Workshops and Programs site (opens in a new window), which is updated regularly with times and venues.

Life skills workshops

  • Motivation and Planning
  • Do Presentations and Stress Less
  • Thinking of Dropping Out?
  • Manage Exam Worry – Be Your Best
  • Strategies for Success in Exams and Preparation
  • Maximise your Memory
  • Group Work
  • Public Speaking
  • Perfectionism 

If you think stress is controlling you rather than you controlling stress, then these workshops are for you. Or, if you just want to brush up on your time management skills. Feel in control of your studies and your life and acquire professional skills that are essential in any workplace. You may also want to consider your options if you are thinking of dropping out.

How to access

Look for 'Study,Money & Life Skills' in vUWS (opens in a new window)

Or if you wish to discuss any of these module topics further, please contact the counselling service on 1300 668 370 to arrange an appointment with a counsellor.

Applying for Work: Resume and Cover Letter - Careers workshop

Your cover letter and resume are the first documents that will attract the attention of a potential employer. This workshop will help you create and modify your application to give you the best chance of landing that job interview.
  • Find out more, including workshop dates and locations in CareerHub

Applying for Work: Selection Criteria - Careers workshop

The public sector and other organisations use selection criteria to determine who gets a job interview. This workshop will give you the skills and knowledge to create solid responses to selection criteria and maximise your chances of landing an interview.
  • Find out more, including workshop dates and locations in CareerHub

Finding Work - Careers workshop

Are you currently searching for a new job, internship or work experience? The Finding Work workshop will guide you in your search and provide you with information and tips to help you discover suitable opportunities.
  • Find out more, including workshop dates and locations in CareerHub

Interviewing for Work - Careers workshop

The key to a successful job interview is preparation. This workshop can help you prepare by giving you the skills, knowledge and practical experience needed to perform well in a wide variety of interview types.
  • Find out more, including workshop dates and locations in CareerHub

Online study resources

Successful Searching Tutorial

This online information literacy tutorial and assessment provides an introduction to research techniques and tools to help you find and manage information effectively. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. If you need help getting started with your assignments, our Online Librarians are available during Library operational hours.

Study Smart

You want to smash your studies. Boost your study skills. Using Study Smart can help you to:
  • improve your assignment writing
  • increase your academic study skills in a range of areas
  • study with integrity, and
  • give you confidence that you are handing in your best work
This session study smarter, not harder. Visit the Study Smart website.

Returning to Learning and Introduction to eLearning online workshops

The Returning to Learning vUWS site is perfect for mature age students who have had a break from education. The site allows you to go at your own pace and helps you understand the University environment, identify ways of maintaining balance, gives you tips for a successful start to your study and introduce you to the University's online systems and E-Learning environment.


When can I use the site?
The online site is available all year and you can access it any time.

Online mathematics support (MESH)

The Mathematics Education Support Hub (MESH) provides Western students with mathematics and statistics support at all stages in their courses of study. This website provides resources for students who want to:
  • revise or 'brush-up' on their basic mathematical skills
  • understand and practice the mathematical calculations underpinning their discipline area/s
  • gain statistical skills for their industry

Build your confidence in using mathematics by engaging in the activities provided on the MESH hub.

Access the Mathematics Education Support Hub (MESH).

Study, Money & Life Skills online workshops

The Study, Money & Life Skills vUWS site and iBooks will help you increase your learning potential, develop personal awareness and assist with skills to manage your finances. It provides helpful information and resources for all students.

For more information visit the Study, Money and Life Skills page.

TheDesk online learning

TheDesk (opens in a new window) is an online program that provides strategies and skills for success, resilience and wellbeing. While TheDesk is particularly useful for those who are feeling stressed, TheDesk is for all students, not just those who identify as having problems. It is founded on the premise that all students can be resilient and successful. It focuses on strengths, with activities building on existing abilities of students.

TheDesk offers free access to online modules, tools, quizzes and resources, including a comprehensive Get Help section.

TheDesk was developed by Dr Helen Stallman (UQ), Professor David Kavanagh (QUT), and Associate Professor Alan Ralph (UQ) and funded by beyondblue.

Higher Degree Research: Candidate Support and Resources

The University offers a range of support and resources for higher degree research candidates such as workshops and training courses.

For more information on the resources available for candidates, go to Candidate Support and Resources.

Perfectionism and Procrastination tutorial

Perfectionism is a trait that motivates you to achieve success, however, it can also immobilise your attempts at actually getting started on your work and heighten procrastination.

In this video (opens in a new window), Cristina Pastore talks to us about good and bad perfectionism, how to stop procrastinating and what you can do to become better at managing your time. The idea is to develop your skills so that you can blitz through your research degree and reduce your stress about getting everything completed on time.

Public speaking anxiety tutorial

Do you experience high levels of anxiety and worry about public speaking? This is a common concern for many people, even for researchers in academia who are considered experts in their field.

In this video (opens in a new window), Erin Helleur talks to us about some strategies you can use to manage your anxiety and develop your presentation skills so that you can speak about your research with confidence.

Peer support programs

PASS

Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) is a free program where you work with other students to understand the content of your unit/s and develop various study strategies to help you improve your academic performance. Each PASS group is run by a student facilitator who has already successfully studied the unit.

For more information visit the PASS webpage.

MATES

Mentoring and Transition Equals Success(MATES) is a free mentoring program for first year students to help them connect with other new students and mentors in later years of study. The program is designed to help new students make friends, network with other students and gain knowledge and skills to settle into life at university.

For more information visit the MATES webpage.

Contacts

Mathematics Education Support Hub (MESH)

Counselling

Email counselling@westernsydney.edu.au

Phone 1300 668 370

PASS

Email pass@westernsydney.edu.au

Phone (02) 4736 0849

MATES