It's official: geek is the new chic. Faster than you could say, 'check-mate,' or 'knit one, purl one,' knowing all things trivial became the hottest trend. So just in case you're lost for words in your first tutorial, here are ten surefire conversation starters. Put on your cardis, shine those glasses and wow them with these pearlers.
(Disclosure: dates not guaranteed.)
1. The first degree to be offered at Sydney Uni was the Bachelor of Arts. In fact, until 1890, students had to complete at least one year of Arts before they could study anything else!
2. During World War Two, a building was constructed to cater for soldiers away from home. Aptly, this was named the Transient Building. Unfortunately it was built using asbestos, and because it's now so old, they can't get rid of it! So despite the fact that it was only meant to be there for a few years, the Transient Building is still there!
3. There are over 5.2 million items in our library, and Fisher Library is the largest library in the Southern Hemisphere.
4. Sydney Uni alumni have been recognised as world-class in many different fields. Here are a few of my favourites: Gough Whitlam, H. V Evatt, Peter Weir, Jane Campion, Germaine Greer, Kate Grenville and Sir William Deane.
5. All that stuff about 'Low G.I' foods is homegrown: Sydney Uni academic staff are responsible for this phenomenon! Thankyou Jennie Brand-Miller, Joanna MacMillan-Price and Kaye Foster-Powell. (I'm not sure if they all had to have hyphenated surnames to be part of the project, but good on ya ladies!)
6. Sydney Uni has some fantastic elite sports teams. Ever heard of the Sydney Flames? They're actually the Sydney Uni Flames! We also have teams that compete nationally in water polo, volleyball and rowing.
7. Sydney Uni doesn't just have one campus. No, no, no : so last year. We have nine. Yep - I can name them, too. Camperdown, Mallett St, St. James, Rozelle, Conservatorium of Music, Cumberland, Surry Hills, Burren St and Camden. Plus - we have academics researching all over the world.
8. Sydney Uni students are known for their wonderful oratory skills: we even win awards because of them! The Debating Team won the Australasian Intervarsity Championships in 2005, and our speakers are consistently named among the best. Triple J DJ Adam Spencer is a former Sydney Uni debater!
9. We love rock and roll (it's not just Brendon, it's infectious here!) The Sydney Uni Band Competition is one of the longest-running band competitions in Australia. You won't find Shannon 'That's What I'm Talkin' About' Noll, but past winners and finalists have included Frenzal Rhomb, Tim Freedman (The Whitlams) and The Vines. Not bad, hey?
10. You guys are freshers in an exceptional year. You see, Sydney Uni is so big it has its own postcode. Guess what? It's 2006 - must be a sign!