Sydney Life

It doesn’t really live up to what it’s called (three days is hardly a ‘week’) but it’s the season once again when the uni flings open its doors to everyone, new and old. O-Week. The only three days when you’ll see Young Labour and the Liberals awkwardly co-existing within throwing distance of each other; the only time you’ll see farmyard animals (thanks to Oxfam) on the front lawns; but not the only time you’ll see college kids wearing academic robes.

One year older and, at least I’d like to think, that much wiser, navigating my way through the stalls was still as much of a challenge as last year. Dodge right. Dodge left. ‘Hey, weren’t you in my Oscar Wilde class?’ Can’t remember their name, how awkward. It can be a minefield trying to shift through all the clubs and societies that the uni has to offer. Everyone is out to grab new members. This time I was determined to only sign up to the clubs I’d honestly commit to and not the ten or so others who relentlessly spammed my inbox last year. Even with twelve contact hours over two days this semester, I have to admit that I’m not up for having too much on my plate to deal with.

The best game plan is probably to do a circuit of the stalls, get some info on what you’ll be in for before you pay your membership fees. Grab some friends to join with you so you don’t feel too isolated at your club’s first social event. But then again that’s what the clubs are for aren’t they? Join SUDS, the drama society, if you want to get in on some theatre action. Join the Wine Society if that’s your cup of tea. Play sport for the uni and release some of the week’s pent up stress from that girl in your tutorial who won’t stop clicking her pen in class. There’s something for everyone at O-Week, even a Captain Planet Appreciation Society! That’s totally a chance to get back to my childhood!

Aside from the clubs and society madness, it was good to bump into all the friends I haven’t caught up with while I’ve been overseas. A few have changed courses, and some have changed unis completely but mostly it’s the same old and stale company that I love and enjoy. So as the new academic year approaches it’s back to latte sipping in Newtown, to procrastination and the dreaded countdown to end of semester intellectual turmoil – who ever said that uni was a breeze!