Life at Charles Sturt University is all about making the most of your time on campus and creating memories that will last a lifetime. So whether you’re a fresh-faced newbie or a seasoned student, here’s a university bucket list of 10 essential experiences that will help you get the most out of your Charles Sturt journey.
Spot some wild study buddies
As Australia’s largest regional university1, our campuses are blessed with space and greenery. Which happens to be the perfect combination to attract native wildlife. So, you’ll be studying with kangaroos lazing outside your window. Waking up to a melodic dawn chorus of native birds. And spotting everything from bats to butterflies as you walk around your campus. And don’t forget, we have our very own pair of falcons on the Orange campus (which you can check out even if you’re not studying on campus) and endangered species on the Albury-Wodonga campus.
@charlessturtuni 🐣 Our campus is a real chick magnet! TEQSA PRV12018 (Australian University) CRICOS 00005F#falcons #birdsoftiktok #falconchicks ♬ April (No Vocals) – The Young Ebenezers
Team up with the perfect crew
At Charles Sturt, our students love a club. Which means there are a ton of them to get involved in. So whatever your jam, you’ll find some like-minded peeps to share your passion. Sports? Check. Getting out into nature? You got it. Online-only clubs for those students studying off campus? Absolutely. Clubs around your degree? Sure. A group for everything from faith to theatre? Tick, tick and tick again. And in the unlikely event we don’t have a club devoted to your favourite pastime – you can start one! We’ll give you all the help you need to get up and running.
Become an influencer
How about being the face of Charles Sturt University? Someone who makes a difference for their fellow students – present and future? Well, there are lots of opportunities to represent your alma mater. Join the Student Senate and input into uni policies on behalf of your community. Get a gig as a student representative and chat to future students at expos and on-campus tours. Or put your hand up to help at our flagship Open Day events, spreading the Charles Sturt message.
Dig into history
Explore the history of Charles Sturt for a deeper understanding of your new home. Our legacy stretches back more than 100 years, and it’s been quite the journey over the decades since. Moreover, our six campus locations across New South Wales are part of communities that each have their own unique histories. Drop into the First Nations Student Centre on your campus to discover more.
Hit up the great outdoors
Charles Sturt is surrounded by stunning natural beauty. Take advantage of the great outdoors with activities like hiking in the Blue Mountains, kayaking on the Hastings River, surfing off the beaches in Port Macquarie or exploring local bushland. It’s a great way to unwind and also connect with nature – which is most beneficial for your health and wellbeing. Oh, and we also recommend finding a spot on campus to watch the sunset – out here in the regions, they’re glorious.
@charlessturtuni 🐾🚨 Come on quoll patrol with PhD Candidate Mitch Cowan. Mitch’s research is paving the way for better conservation. His latest findings reveal mining in the Pilbara is impacting our endangered northern quolls. This research was carried out under AEC approval from Charles Sturt. #AnimalsofTikTok #Engangered #NorthernQuolls #Quoll #EndangeredSpecies #CharlesSturtUni #CharlesSturtResearch #CharlesSturtStudent # TEQSA Provider Identification: PRV12018 (Australian University). CRICOS Provider: 00005F
♬ original sound – Charles Sturt University
Go green
We’re proud to be Australia’s first carbon neutral university. But we know we can’t rest on our laurels. Always looking to push things forward is in our DNA. So, we put sustainability at the heart of your experience. You can grow herbs and veggies in the on-campus gardens. You’ll live and study in eco-friendly buildings. And you can take part in green initiatives throughout the year, led by our dedicated sustainability team.
Reach for an award
Succeeding in your chosen field is of course the ultimate goal for a uni student; so how about being recognised for all your hard work by receiving a Undergraduate University Medal or Executive Dean’s Award? They’re available for all students, whether you’re studying online or on campus, and they celebrate academic excellence! Now, not everyone will receive the award, and it takes a lot of effort – but it’s got to be a bucket list goal worth shooting for, right? (Oh, and employers are super-impressed if they see an award on your résumé.)
Be a guide
Helping others always feels good. Moreover, it can add a really fulfilling dimension to your uni experience. So, consider becoming a mentor and helping other students get the most out of their studies and their time at Charles Sturt. Another option is putting your hand up to become a residential adviser – making sure everyone in a campus residence is having fun, staying safe and has a friendly ear when they need it.
@charlessturtuni 👋 Starting uni in 2024? dw we got you – say hey to Res Leader Liam. #unitok #unilife #studentlife ♬ original sound – Charles Sturt University
Volunteer your time
Speaking of helping others… At Charles Sturt, we’re right at the heart of the communities our campuses sit in. So, we have lots of opportunities for you to be part of that relationship through volunteering. That could be everything from taking part in a blood drive, to helping at local community initiatives. Best of all, even if you’re not on one of our regional campuses, you can volunteer in your own community and spread the Charles Sturt love all across Australia. Giving back never felt so good.
Make lifelong connections
Building connections – with your new friends, fellow students who share your passion for a subject, academics pushing knowledge forward in your field and industry partners who provide practical elements of your course – will seriously enrich your university experience. Groupchats for courses, online study groups and the friends you make in your clubs and hobbies will all weave into the patchwork of your uni years. And those relationships, whether personal or professional, often last long after you’ve graduated.
@charlessturtuni ☀️ Are you ready to make the best mems of your life? Get excited team, Orientation starts next week! Tag your bestie who is coming with you! 🧡 #Oweek #Orientation2024 #UniLife #UniFirstYear ♬ original sound – Charles Sturt University
Ready to tick off your university bucket list?
Embrace these 10 essential university bucket list experiences to not only enhance your time at Charles Sturt University but also help you create unforgettable memories. Whether you’re discovering new passions, forming lasting friendships, studying online or enjoying the on campus lifestyle, there’s something special waiting for you here.
And the first step to making it happen is choosing your course.
1 Regional Universities Network 2023