Study, Money & Life Skills

vUWS site

The Study, Money & Life Skills vUWS site (opens in a new window) 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.

Find out how to:

• Plan your studies and prioritise your commitments
• Prepare for exams to manage those nerves
• Develop your public speaking skills
• Work well in teams
• Manage your finances
• Develop savings goals using the online budget planner
• Manage perfectionism

The Study, Money & Life Skills vUWS site has been developed by Student Support Services to help you get the most out of University – head over to the vUWS site (opens in a new window) and see what would be helpful to you.

Western Sydney University staff members can register for access to the vUWS site by emailing lifeskills@westernsydney.edu.au

'thedesk'

'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 who those who are feeling stressed, 'thedesk' is for all students, not just those who identify as having problems.

'thedesk' is founded on the premise that all students can be resilient and successful. Focusing on strengths with activities building on existing abilities of students, 'thedesk' offers free access to online modules, tools, quizzes and resources.

Does it work?

The program was developed in response to research showing:

• High prevalence rates of distress in students
• Psychological distress has significant impact on ability to study
• Psychological distress is associated with lower academic performance
• Students reporting that they are likely to use an online program for issues they are experiencing

'thedesk' was developed by Dr Helen Stallman (UQ), Professor David Kavanagh (QUT), and Associate Professor Alan Ralph (UQ) and funded by beyondblue (opens in a new window).