Get excited people!! Save the date for 14 September and get ready to groove through the afternoon and dance the night away at Macquarie University’s very own student music festival – RE:Conception! 

With a new look and new location,  RE:Conception will rock our campus with an exciting line-up of bands, featuring Jungle Giants, Nicole Millar, Young Franco, DJ Nino Brown and student bands Brunette Drive and Liquid Time.

The charismatic MC Ciaran Lyons has been asked to preside over the order of events, so you won’t miss a minute of fun. Plus, there’ll be plenty of food trucks and a boutique bar to keep you refreshed.

Whether you are grooving on the dance floor or lounging about in the chill-space, this will definitely be a night to remember.

So, get your gang together and come along to the event of the year, which has been inspired and designed by students to celebrate the place we all know and love. And don’t worry about purchasing tickets, it’s FREE!

At the end of the night, kick off your mid-semester break with a bang watching a huge fireworks finale by the lake!

And don’t forget, Macquarie is an inclusive, fun and safe place for all – so let’s celebrate together as one, awesome community. See you there!

Need a refresher on Macquarie’s policies? Check out the Code of Conduct, Harassment Policy, and Alcohol and Drug Policy.

O Week’s exciting program of welcome events, workshops, drop-in sessions, social activities and tours will help you discover the campus, experience university life and find out everything you need to know to prepare for the start of classes.

There’s lots to see and do but one of the best things about starting your student journey here at Macquarie is getting involved with our extra-curricular activities and having fun. During O Week, there are over 100 student societies who will bring the campus to life on Friday 27 and Monday 30 July at their O Week stalls. Ranging from sport societies to academic and religious groups to those catering for the performing arts, there is certainly something for everyone. Check out these and many more at our drop-in sessions.

You should also get along to your faculty’s welcome event. These are important sessions that you should attend, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet your peers and be guided through key information to get you off to a great start. You’ll also meet your Macquarie University Mentors. These are student guides who’ll be able to guide and support you as you transition to university life.

Current students should also join in as it’s a great opportunity to reconnect with peers in Session 2.

So how do you find out what’s in store? Choose your interests from the events program and then register now to create your personalised schedule so you’ll not miss out on any of the things important to your university induction.

There’s also an app to stay up to date and keep yourself organised during O Week. Just visit your app store and search for ‘Macquarie Uni Events’.

And don’t forget to share your experience at O Week by tagging your social posts with #mymq or #mqoweek.

Have fun and get informed. We look forward to seeing you on campus!

To get a new campus card during the exam period, visit this webpage to get one. Also note, Student Connect have increased their opening hours during this time.

Lachlan Hanrahan, left, who recently graduated with a Bachelor of International Studies degree, got in touch with MyMQ to tell us what he loved about his time as a student and to share his tips with newbies on how best to enjoy campus life. Here is his story.

Starting university can be daunting, full of unknowns and uncertainties. There are new teachers to meet, new friends to make, and a new campus to navigate. It can all be a little overwhelming. But, embracing the new experiences and diving right into campus life is really the only way to go.

The Campus
I travelled a long distance to get to Macquarie University (I’m from the Central Coast), but once here I really enjoyed studying and hanging out on campus. Macquarie is known as a ‘parkland campus’ for its rolling green lawns, towering trees, bushland and variety of native wildlife. If you get here early enough on a cool morning, there’s a light mist over the lake, still and reflective like a mirror. As the sun gets higher in the sky, the water turns into a brilliant blue and, then, when the sun sets, the water surface looks like molten gold. In November, there is an amazing contrast created when the bright purple blooms of the jacaranda trees sway in the background.

The size of the campus allows you to find your own spot, perhaps on the field in the sun, or under a tree from where you can watch ducklings paddle on the lake. But be warned, the best spots are in high demand, especially during exam periods. So, make sure to find your spot early in the semester so you know where to make a beeline to each day.

The Teachers
Often in high school we’re told that in university we have to figure things out ourselves; that teachers won’t be available outside of class to help. This couldn’t be further from the truth at Macquarie. It has many incredible, knowledgeable and helpful teachers. Whether you’re struggling to meet the deadline of an assignment or need a concept explained further, all you need do is ask. I found the staff at Macquarie will do their utmost to help, so don’t be shy.

The Food
Perhaps you’re looking for a quick snack between classes, or are meeting your mates for a big lunch? As most students like to try different types of food, Macquarie doesn’t disappoint. When you enter the Campus Common there’s plenty to choose from – sushi, kebabs, burgers and vegetarian goodies. There are also numerous food trucks serving different food options each day, but the smell of wood-fired pizza wafting through the Common is what always enticed me. Make sure to get in just before midday to avoid the big rush.

University Secrets
Did you know that Macquarie has extensive tunnels running beneath Wally’s Walk which were built to carry services such as electricity, water and gas, and are apparently large enough to cycle through? Or that there are some 130 original sculptures by Australian and International sculptors dotted across the campus?

There are plenty more things to discover at Macquarie, but I’ll leave that up to you to find out. For me, whether wandering around campus or uncovering hidden treasures, it’s been one of the best experiences of my life.

My tip to any new student would be to get involved in uni life as soon as you can and to take advantage of anything and everything that comes your way. I completed my degree last year and the time has passed so quickly – so get into it!

Macquarie Campus Facebook 
Why follow? If you’re looking for a central hub of info about the day-to-day happenings on campus, then this is the place for you.

What will I find? On-campus events (both social and academic), student society info, lectures and seminars, sporting updates and highlights, freebies and BBQs, Ubar notices, facility and admin announcements.

Macquarie University Facebook
Why follow? To read about human stories that reflect what we do best as a uni, and a broad overview of the great work coming out of faculties and offices.

What will I find? Staff and student profiles, the latest research stories, awards recognition, large-scale event coverage.

Macquarie University Twitter
Why follow? You’ll find timely, bite-sized info that covers all the latest research and achievements coming out of Macquarie, with great thought leadership from our academics on a range of global issues (see our story on academics to follow here).

What will I find? Media coverage, current research, expert commentary on current events and trending topics, Twitter takeovers, live event tweeting, retweets from academics.

Macquarie University Instagram
Why follow? Like pretty pictures of ducks and the lake? Then our Instagram is the channel for you. It’s the visual representation of Macquarie, which celebrates its students, staff and campus. Use #mymq and geotag Macquarie University to be featured!

What will I find? Shares of visually interesting content taken on campus (often by fellow students), event coverage, cool research imagery, staff and student profiles, Instagram takeovers.

Macquarie Eats Instagram
Why follow? It’s a one-stop shop showcase of permanent and pop-up food and drink options available on campus.

What will I find? Food options from campus outlets, food truck and pop-up notices and coverage of anything food-related at Macquarie.

Macquarie University Snapchat (@macquarieuni)
Why follow? To get exclusive behind the scenes coverage of on-campus events and facilities at Macquarie.

What will I find? Campus tours, facility showcases, event coverage, staff and student interviews, tips and tricks.

Macquarie University LinkedIn
Why follow? A great summary of Macquarie University achievements and an opportunity to start networking with like-minded people to get a head-start on your career.

What will I find? Topical news articles, research stories, achievements, staff and student profiles.

Macquarie University Podcast Soundcloud (and on iTunes)
Why follow? For in-depth interviews that reveal the personal and professional stories of our Macquarie community – perfect for that train ride or drive to campus!

What will I find? Interviews with staff and students across all faculties, explaining their achievements and research.

This is the third part within the series of ‘Into Abstraction’ exhibitions which explore the diversity of abstraction and its affiliations since the 1960s until the present.

On show is the work of James Doolin, Geoffrey de Groen, Dale Hickey, Christopher Hodges, Robert Jacks, Ildiko Kovacs, Alun Leach-Jones, Rocket Mattler, Harald Noritis, Robert Rooney, Jenny Sages, Rollin Schlicht, Joseph Szabo, George Ward Tjungurrayi, Tony Twigg, Craig Waddell and John White.

For more information, visit the gallery webpage.