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Navigate your digital university

Throughout your time at the university, you'll use a number of online platforms to navigate your studies.

These include MyUni, Sydney Student, SydPay, and Canvas (which you're using now), to name a few.

While it can be really stressful to navigate these different sites when you're first learning, don't worry - we're here to help!

The do's and don'ts of online learning

From our experiences studying online, we've put together some suggestions that will really help you to navigate your new digital worlds:

Get organised

Connect your university email account to your current (personal) email to make sure you receive all the important announcements.
Bookmark the university's different online platforms like Canvas and Zoom. In your classes, you may also use software programs and apps like Padlet, Socrative, and more!
Turn on your phone email notifications to get up-to-date news regarding your units of study.
Download the Canvas Student app to receive notifications about announcements, upcoming assessments, and so on.
Keep your email organised by 'pinning' or 'flagging' the emails that are important and deleting the emails you no longer need (#minimalism).
Personalise your Canvas profile and Zoom profile to reflect who you are.

Experiment with Canvas as soon as you get it! Play around with it and explore every intricacy. It may seem like a labyrinth at first, but it is a really useful platform.

Mahmoud, 2nd year Commerce/Laws

Say 'yes' in extraordinary times.

Be open to what online spaces can bring you.
Check out how activities on campus have shifted online.
Different university websites have different purposes. You'll find public information regarding news, events, and student life on the University website, learning resources related to your units of study in Canvas, enrolment advice at Sydney Student, your timetable at Sydney Timetable, and so on. Think of each resource as having a specific purpose related to your studies.
If your tutor or lecturer creates 'social hours' online, make use of that time to discuss any issues you're encountering.

If you don't have the right applications on your computer, the university has a range of free ones for you to use (including Microsoft Office!). Go to Student Apps for a download link!

Robert, 3rd year Civil Engineering

Smile, you're on camera

Remember where you are. The host of your Zoom may choose to record the session.
The messages you send in email or post on discussion boards are permanent - be wary of saying something you'll regret later!
Don't let this intimidate you - all students (and most staff!) are in the same boat when it comes to solving the challenges of online learning.

Commonly asked questions

How to (best) use my University email address?

Check your University of Sydney student email regularly. This will be the central place you receive communications about your studies.
Modify your Canvas notification preferences to get email updates from your teacher.

What is Canvas? How do I use it?

Canvas is a learning management system. You may have used other similar systems through high school or tutoring companies, such as Google Classroom, Schoology, or Edmodo. Most importantly, Canvas keeps all of the information, activities, and assessments related to your studies in one place.
For an overview of how to use Canvas, visit the Student Canvas guide.
To log-on and explore, visit Canvas for yourself.
Check Canvas regularly! Make it a habit to check every day you have uni for upcoming assessments and unit announcements!

How do I use Zoom?

You might have had some Zoom experience in high school or in other learning environments, but even if you haven't, we've put together some suggestions to help you use this video software:

Familiarise yourself with Zoom. If you like, check out the Canvas tips on using Zoom as a student as well as how to learn off-campus.
Take ownership of the learning space by personalising your Zoom backdrop.
If you have a webcam and feel comfortable, please switch it on so that we can see you. While it can be somewhat scary (and sometimes exhausting) to have your webcam on the whole time, it will make a difference to your engagement in the class. If you get distracted by how you look, you can always switch 'self-view' off.
Mute your microphone until there is an opportunity for you to speak.
Try to log in about 10 minutes before the scheduled start of the class so that you can make sure the technology is working - importantly, make sure your audio settings are correct.

Where do I find information about my studies?

It’s always good to bookmark important websites for quick and easy access. Personalise the following websites to your needs:

Find enrolment details through MyUni or Sydney Student.
Personalise your timetable via Current Students and the Timetables unit.
Organise your studies with Canvas.
Ensure that your fees are organised through SydPay.

Pro tip 1: If all else fails, Google 'Usyd ______' - this will usually get you what you're searching for!

Pro tip 2: The MyUni homepage is very useful. It contains quick links to Canvas, email, Sydney Student, and SydPay. There's even a weekly timetable at the bottom of the page for you to refer to. MyUni

Want to learn more?

Take advantage of the following online tools the University has put together:

A guide for new students
USYD online
If you don't have the right technology to access these spaces, check out the University's materials and equipment available to borrow, which you can find on the University website.

You can also check out the 'What is uni like now' episode of the Reinventing the Gap Year series for a handy guide to the change to online learning at university.

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