10 Tips to Stress Less at University

• Cheeky Tuesday's

Cheeky Tuesday's is a group gaming event run every Tuesday, with different computer games being showcased each week. This event aims to bring gamers together to make lifelong friendships.

Get more information under the Anime Gaming Society’s ‘Upcoming Events’ section in WesternLIFE platform, here.

• Live Bingo!

Every Tuesday and Thursday Campus Life runs a Bingo event where participants can learn some fun facts about the world, win cool prizes, and have a whole lot of fun.

Grab a bingo card and join the session by registering under Campus Life’s ‘Upcoming Events’ section in WesternLIFE platform, here.

• Student Life Trivia

Student Life Trivia and Catch Phrase Puzzles are held multiple times a week, with events covering both fun catch phrase puzzles as well as a weekly themed event every Wednesday.

Catch Phrase Puzzle Trivia is held on Monday’s @ 2pm and Themed Trivia on Wednesdays @ 12pm

Sessions can be registered to under Campus Life’s ‘Upcoming Events’ section in WesternLIFE platform, here.

External Opportunities

• Houseparty App

Houseparty is a FREE social networking service that enables group video chats to make connecting with your friends effortless. Participate in either one-one-one or group chats, with a bunch of games to enhance to socialisation experience. More information here.

• Pinot & Picasso

Pinot & Picasso is a fun ‘paint and sip experience’ where you can BYO wine to a guided painting workshop to get creative and have some fun! Tickets run for around $59.00, or alternatively, you can now bring the whole experience home with a Pinot & Picasso Art Box! Boxes contain 3 canvases, all the painting equipment required, a wine voucher, and $50 off your next booking. More information here.

• Campus Life and Sport Forums

Online forums are a great opportunity to take time out of your day to connect with other likeminded students. There are a variety of topics from movies, zoo cams, craft corner, book club, reviews, fitness workouts, healthy recipes and so much more.

The ‘Zoo Cams Links’ within the ‘All Things Streaming’ forum is a great resource where you can change your ‘virtual environment’ by exploring zoos all around the world from the comfort and safety of your own home!

You can access Sport Forums here and the Campus Life forums here

External Opportunities

• Opal Concession Fares

Full-time tertiary students can access concessions to help with the cost of public transport in NSW. This is available to both local and international students, based on eligibility criteria, which met allows individuals to use a concession ‘Opal card’ for use on NSW trains and buses. More information here.

• Hikes and Walks NSW

Visit NSW provides a list of over 500 great hikes and walks across NSW. Discover by location, setting, and accessibility. More information here.  

• Streaming Services

As a student you can take advantage of discounted rates and free trials for a number of streaming services. See below:

Soundcloud Go (50% Off for students)

Spotify Premium (50% off for students or a 60 days free trial)

Amazon Music (90 days free trial)

Apple Music (90 days free trial)

External Opportunities

• 'Tunes for a Happy Headspace' Spotify Playlist

headspace Campbelltown’s Youth Reference Group have curated a list of 3-hours’ worth of some of the best tunes to elevate your mood and get you into a happier headspace. More information here.

• Music Streams

Now is a fantastic time to be able to find and tune into a whole variety of music streams from almost every genre you can think of. With platforms of choice ranging from Twitch and YouTube, even to Facebook, there’s something for everyone. See below for just a sample of great sources to keep an eye on:

Billboard ‘Live at Home’

Ministry of Sound

Discogs 'Homespun'

Quarantsream

Insomniac Events

• PASSOnline

PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) are collaborative and informal study sessions facilitated by your peers; senior students who have successfully completed the unit and can help you exceed your study expectations.

Weekly sessions are free. Just check the website timetable, click the link and join in!

• Yoga and Zumba

The Western Social Sports Club are running weekly online beginner level Yoga sessions on Tuesdays (8:30am-9am), Wednesday’s (4:30pm-5pm) and Thursdays (8:30am-9am). Sessions are facilitated by a qualified Yoga instructor.

They also run a Zumba Class on Wednesday’s (8:30am – 9:30am)

Check out the Western Social Sports Club’s ‘Upcoming Events’ section in WesternLIFE platform, and sign up for a Yoga and Zumba sessions, here.

External Opportunities

• Abelton Live 10

Ableton Live is a flexible music creation software which makes it easy to write, produce, and record your own tracks. Ableton is currently offering a 90-day free trial for you to practise with the software and learn some new skills. Additionally, full-time students can save 40%. More information here.

• Fanatical

Fanatical is an online video game retailer which sells a whole variety of games, as well as e-books and other e-learning tools, for great prices. There are also great bundles which package content together so you can play some fun games or learn a new skill. Students also get 5% off with a ‘Student Beans’ discount. More information here.

• Lush

Lush is an ethical, hand-made cosmetics company selling a variety of products which would be great to ‘treat yourself’ with, from bath bombs to face masks, and much more. Lush also have a ‘5 Pot Program’ where customers can return 5 old black pot containers (purchased from their stores) to receive a free face mask. More information here.

• eCounselling

eCounselling is a confidential online service that allows students to ask a counsellor questions from the comfort and privacy of their own computer; simply send an email to ecounselling@westernsydney.edu.au from your student email account or visit the counselling webpages for more information here.

NOTE: Responses given are of a general nature only and are not intended as a replacement for seeking a counsellor. This service is also not intended for crisis situations. Lifeline is available 24 hours a day on 13 11 14.

• International Buddy Program

The International Buddy Program is a peer to peer program that provides new International students with the information they need, when they need it.  In the online environment we support students through International Zoom sessions that provide access to support services, knowledge of programs and systems and an opportunity to ask questions that are relevant to you.  Further support is provided through email, access to the International Buddy Program WESTERNLife group ongoing events.

We are supporting students who are both here in Australia and those still in their home country.

Learn more about the International Buddy Program here.

• MATES

MATES provides first year students with an opportunity to connect with other new students and mentors in later years of study. This helps new students meet and network with other students and gain knowledge and skills to settle into life at university. The MATES program is currently online, and the mentors are meeting and catching up with students online via zoom sessions and other online platforms as well as via email and phone calls. Some sessions have fixed times and others are arranged between the students at convenient times.

Learn more about MATES < strong style="font-size: 0.98em;">here.

External Opportunities

• Lifeline 24-hour Telephone Crisis Support Service

13 11 14 is a confidential telephone crisis support service available 24/7 from a landline, payphone or mobile for individuals experiencing a personal crisis or having thoughts about suicide. Trained volunteers will answer your call and can listen, provide immediate support, and provide referral information where necessary. More information here.

• eheadspace

eheadspace provides free online support and counselling to young people 12 - 25 and their families and friends. Services include group chats and one-one-one sessions led by trained health professionals to support your wellbeing. more information here.

• Western’s Virtual Mission – Beach to the Bush

Join Western's Virtual Fitness Mission 2.0 and take on the challenge of completing our new and challenging 810km course that links the beach to the bush in a google maps and street view virtual environment. Get motivated, get moving and share your journey during this time of physical distancing.

Join the mission through Western Life here.

• GWS Giants 'Workout of the Week' Content 

AFL Sports team Western Sydney Giants have developed a series of fitness and nutritional content exclusively for our students. Check under the Sports Forums on WesternLIFE to find great ‘Workout of the Week’ content plus more here.

External Opportunities

• Exercise Right At Home 

Accredited exercise professionals from the Exercise Right campaign have put together a range of filmed workouts to complete in the safety and comfort of your own home. Their site also has some fantastic blog posts and other resources to help you get active. More information here.

• Hikes and Walks NSW

Visit NSW provides a list of over 500 great hikes and walks across NSW. Discover by location, setting, and accessibility. more information here.

• Virtual Soup Kitchen

Virtual Soup Kitchen is run every Wednesday by the Multifaith Chaplaincy. Participants can prepare a different dish each week within the hour with groceries provided, to be picked up at the Campus Living Village front desk.

For more information or to register for a evening of wholesome cooking, visit the Multifaith Chaplaincy’s ‘Upcoming Events’ section in WesternLIFE platform, here.

• GWS Giants 'Recipe of the Week' Content

AFL Sports team Western Sydney Giants have developed a series of fitness and nutritional content exclusively for our students. Check under the Sports Forums on WesternLIFE to find great ‘Recipe of the Week’ content plus more, here.

• Activity Booklets

Campus Life have created fun booklets filled with a variety of activities such as Sudoku, recipes, crosswords, language study, challenges, at home workouts, meditation, goal setting, movie watch lists and more. Completed booklets can also be submitted to go in the draw to win great prizes.

You can access and download booklets from the Campus Life's ‘Upcoming Events’ section in WesternLIFE platform, here.

External Opportunities

• Hello Fresh

HelloFresh is a meal-kit company which provides fresh food at home to make easy, wholesome home-made meals. HelloFresh offers 40% off your first box + an ongoing 10% student discount for a 12-month subscription with UNiDAYS. More information here.

• 15 Minute Meditation via Zoom

Multifaith Chaplaincy are hosting 15-minute meditations at noon on Mondays and Fridays.

To get more information or join a mindfulness session visit the Multifaith Chaplaincy’s ‘Upcoming Events’ section in WesternLIFE platform, here.

• Relaxation Recordings

The WSU Counselling service provides access to audio recordings for brief relaxation sessions, progressive muscular relaxation and mindfulness relaxations. Access recordings, here.

External Opportunities

• Headspace: Meditation & Sleep

Headspace: Meditation & Sleep is an app filled with guided meditations on a variety of topics, from managing stress, to anxiety, productivity, sleep, physical health, and more. There is a great free version of the app or access the full library with a subscription. more information  here.

• Aura

Aura is a meditation app which provides a suite of content to reduce stress and practice mindfulness. Users can choose from guided personalised meditation exercises, to soothing music, and even practise gratitude journaling all within a dedicated app. More information here.

• HOW TO Forums

Campus Life have created a HOW TO forum which is a hub where students can find instructional information on how to complete various activities. There are many activities within these forums that can be completed with loved ones to support meaning connections, such as HOW TO plant a herb garden and HOW TO make home made soap.

Learn more about HOW TO here.

External Opportunities

• Netflix Party

Netflix Party is a way to watch Netflix with your friends and family online with an integrated chat feature. The browser extension is FREE and only requires one user (the host) to have a Netflix subscription. More information here.

• Sleep Easy Relaxation Session – 12 Minute Audio Recording

WSU Counselling service provides a collection of relaxation audio recordings, including a 12 minute ‘Sleep Easy relaxation session’. This audio recording guides you through a set of muscular tightening and releasing exercises with the aim of relaxing your body and improving sleep. Access the recording here.