PLAs Archives - Library News

Pop Culture Club

Posted on 16 September 2021 by Library Communications

Let’s be honest: this pandemic is the worst! Everyone is stuck at home and the already challenging task of meeting new friends at uni has been taken to a Final Boss level of difficulty!

We’ve been listening to you

We know you want to meet people, so the Library’s PLA team are starting a club and membership is FREE!

Usually, we’d bring the party to you in the Library with free Coffee & Croissants, but the pandemic has forced us to stay virtual! So instead we told the Library about our brilliant idea. The conversation went something like this:

PLA team: Hey Library, we really miss hanging out with students on campus

Library: Yeah, us too

PLA team: RIGHT!? Anyway, we wanna make a club for students to meet up on Zoom

Library: Cool, a Book Club sounds gre…

PLA team: NO! Not just a Book Club! A Pop Culture Club!

Library: …

PLA team: Let us explain…

What is the Pop Culture Club all about?

We’re talking movies, tv shows, books (NOT for your course), comics, manga, anime, podcasts, games, basically everything we’re doing to help pass the time in lockdown.

When are we meeting up?

On the third Tuesday of every month, in the afternoon when classes are pretty much done and you have nothing else to do, jump into a Zoom with the PLAs and other students from all over the University to talk about stuff that has nothing to do with class and everything to do with having fun.

Use this link to register and join us online, or click on the button below.

There are also zoom backgrounds to download from the registration page!

See you in the Club!

R U OK? Day

Posted on 7 September 2021 by Library Communications

This Thursday, 9 September is R U OK? Day. It’s a national day of action, to remind ourselves that every day is the day to ask, “are you OK?” if someone in your world is struggling with life’s ups and downs.

This year it’s more important than ever to check in with our friends and colleagues. There are some great activities you can join in through the University and lots of online resources to help you have those conversations with people around you.

Speed Meet and Chat

Friday 10 September 2:00 – 3:00pm

One of the toughest things about studying remotely during the pandemic is how hard it is to meet new friends!

For R U OK? Day the Library is hosting a special edition of our excellent socialising event Speed Meet and Chat!

Virtual Dance Workout Session

Thursday 9 September 9:00 – 9:30am

As an educator, Dr Ehssan Sakhaee focuses on balancing engagement and performance with overall wellbeing. Start the day by joining Dr Sakhaee for a 30-minute virtual dance workout. You’ll need a space of at least 2m squared.

Dr Sakhaee also runs regular online meditations.

For more information and to register for the Zoom event use this link.

R U OK? Day ‘lunch’ webinar

Thursday 9 September 12:30 – 1:30pm

Join the hosts and guest speakers in this online event to learn when and how to ask R U OK?, so you can have a conversation that could change a life.

You might laugh, you might cry but most importantly you’ll feel empowered because asking, “Are you OK?” when someone’s struggling with something big, something small, or nothing at all, shows them you care.

To register for the Eventbrite event use this link. If you can’t attend you’re encouraged to register and receive a recording of the event.

R U OK? Day x Ther-E-Paws

Thursday 9 September 4pm

Having ruff time? Need some paws-itivity? Join FASS Student Representatives and staff for Ther-E-Paws, an online therapy dog event discussing mental health and wellbeing.

Come along to de-stress, have discussions about mental health, meet our esteemed furry and four-legged guests, and introduce us to your own pets!

To register for the Eventbrite event use this link.

The R U OK? Day official website guides you through the steps you can take in starting a conversation and then how you can respond if that person needs help. There are also Zoom backgrounds and posters to download.

Welcome Week, Semester 2: the Library can’t wait to meet you!

Posted on 23 July 2021 by Library Communications

Have you ever wondered what 5 million Library resources look like? The best way to get familiar with the services and facilities we have to offer is Welcome Week, Semester 2.

From Monday 2 August to Week 1 of Semester 2, we have a jam-packed schedule of awesome activities for you to take part in.

Learn about what study looks like at Uni with Welcome to your Library

Finding information at uni will probably be a bit different from what you’ve done in the past. At uni, you’re part of the scholarly conversation. Find out more about what that means, your responsibilities as a contributor, and how you can get the most out of it.

Get to know our friendly team at Meet the Library Online

The Library is a safe and inclusive community looking forward to welcoming you. Join us for an online Q&A session with Meet the Library Online. Our friendly team is here to answer all your questions about our services and how we can best support you to succeed at uni.

Meet your peers at Plan Your Semester & Think.Create.Innovate

Starting uni is exciting, but it can also be a little overwhelming. Peer Learning Advisors are current students who will share with you their tips on how to manage your time, refine your study skills, or just look after yourself. Come along to Plan Your Semester to organise your semester well ahead and Think.Create.Innovate to discover the coolest and most innovative spaces on campus!

Make new friends at Uni with Speed Meet & Chat and Ni Hao Mate

One of the most exciting things about starting uni is meeting cool and interesting people! Come along to Speed Meet & Chat get a chance to meet heaps of people in this fast-paced session and Ni Hao Mate to learn about Chinese and Australian culture!

Check out our full program of events of the Welcome Week website.

We can’t wait to meet you!

Level up your tech skills during the semester break

Posted on 24 June 2021 by Library Communications

3d printing objects created at ThinkSpace

Level up your technology skills during the semester break at our makerspace Winter Technology Workout! Join in to explore and experiment with new creative technologies, and find the inspiration for your next creative project, all for free!

ThinkSpace and CreateSpace are open all semester break. We have workshops for all interests and skill levels, whether you want to learn more about 3D printing, or work on your at-home video editing skills, we have a huge range of events happening all through July, both on campus (when regulations allow) and online! Always check the event details closer to the day to see if regulations allow us to have in person options, or only online.

Week beginning 5 July: Open-source editing software exploring

We kick off Week 1 with exploring the potential of open-source software! Unlock your media editing skills with our series of workshops where we teach your audio editing, video editing and photo editing with free, open-source software you can use anywhere!

Week beginning 12 July: Making your 3D World

Week 2 is about all things 3D! Dive into the world of creating and crafting 3D objects with workshops on using our 3D scanner and 3D printer and designing your own 3D model for printing!

Week beginning 19 July: Bringing your designs to life

In Week 3 you’ll get the chance to channel your creative design skills across a variety of different platforms! Discover what you need to create your own podcast, design and make your own vinyl decal.

Week beginning 26 July: Adobe Creative program

In the final week of our Winter Technology Workout we introduce you to two of the staple creative software available through Adobe Creative Cloud: Photoshop and Premier Pro. Come along to learn how to edit photos and videos using professional, industry-standard software.

We’ll also be hosting drop-in sessions for our Video Recording studios at ThinkSpace and CreateSpace, every Friday in July (when regulations allow).

Find out more by visiting the Library Event Calendar, and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @sydney_library_pla

Click here to see workshop details and book your place!

Be our guest on PeerPod!

Posted on 9 February 2021 by Library Communications

About two years ago, the Library’s Peer Learning Advisor (PLA) team were looking for a new way to reach out to students and help enhance their student life. As current postgraduate students, they felt they had a wealth of knowledge and experience to share, which could be a useful guide for all students looking to understand and make the most of university life.

Their answer: PeerPod – a bi-monthly podcast series in which the PLAs discuss topics and issues related to student life and share their own stories, experiences and advice.

Since its creation, PeerPod has covered all kinds of subjects, from how to start semester and make new friends, to bouncing back after failing an exam. We’ve heard stories from PLAs and advice from experts, but this year we’d like to add something more. We want students of all levels to join us in the recording studio and share their voices, opinions and experiences!

Do you have a unique insight into student life? Some handy advice that you want to share? Maybe a suggestion for a topic you’d like us to cover?

Email us at peerpod.pla@sydney.edu.au and let us know what topic you’d like to talk about as a guest speaker, and why!

Check out PeerPod on our website or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Find out more about the Peer Learning Advisor team and how we can support you.

It’s time we had a [Pod]chat

Posted on 15 October 2020 by Library Communications

What’s the best way to maintain academic integrity when submitting assessments? Where can students with a disability go for support throughout their studies? What strategies have people used to look after themselves and connect with peers during the massive changes of the last six months?

If these issues are on your mind, PeerPod is for you. It’s the University Library-hosted podcast run by students, for students.

Hosted by the Library’s Peer Learning Advisors (PLAs), this bi-monthly podcast is all about increasing a deeper sense of connectivity and belonging at Uni. As currently enrolled postgrads, PLAs have a wealth of knowledge and study experience.

PLAs are joined by expert guests to share their advice and experiences. Each episode shares stories and advice, and answers many a frequent question about student life at the University of Sydney.

Previous PeerPod podchats have covered such topics as bouncing back from academic failure; maintaining mental health and good study habits during self-isolation; and strategies for transitioning from undergrad to postgrad study. Future episodes will explore allyship LGBTQIA+ inclusivity, and what we can all do to green our campus and our communities in the face of serious ecological challenges.

PeerPod is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud. You can also learn more about previous episodes on our website.