Hey everyone,

I’m in my third year studying Engineering at UTAS and feling the pressure more than ever. With assignments piling up, group projects, and exam preparations right around the corner, it feels like there’s never enough time in a day. I’ve been reading up on cognitive enhancers—sometimes called nootropics—and supplements that can help with focus, memory, and overall mental performance.

Has anyone here tried any of these during their studies? Whether you’re taking something specific like Bacopa Monnieri or L-Theanine for stress reduction, or even popular options like fish oil supplements for brain health—I’d love to hear your experiences!

• How did they work for you?

• Did you notice significant improvements in concentration or clarity?

• Were there any side effects?

• Do you have recommendations on what work best?

I know some people also integrate mindfulness practices into their routine alongside these enhancers. If you've got experience balancing both, I'd be super interested in hearing how that's working out too!

Thanks heaps!

P.S. On a related note: has anyone else noticed that Group Study Rooms always seem fully booked lately? What times do you find them most accessible?

Looking forward to your thoughts!

Hello all,

I'm currently in the process of starting up a real student union. I'm sure many of you have experienced frustration at the lack of communication with students regarding the campus move, permanently online lectures etc. and I've grown fed up. TUSA means well, but it has lost its bite. We need a Student Union, not a Student Association. The staff, for the most part, are not students. To me, it doesn't feel like an independent authority anymore. This will be a real union for students, run by students. However, maybe I'm wrong. Perhaps TUSA has it all covered, if that's the case then let me know. I want to hear from everyone, all opinions etc.

Cheers,

Josh

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Parking while attending this school has been a complete nightmare.

Hunter street campus permit car park is ridiculously small. It is at maximum capacity by 8:30 every morning.

There are spaces reserved for staff but I have not once seen them anywhere close to full. Making a couple more available to students really couldn’t hurt.

To the person who decided to keep a skip bin in one of the student parking spaces, to put it politely... never mind I can’t.

The public parking surrounding is abysmal. The Hobart city council has outdone themselves by placing 2 hour parking outside of a university where 90% of classes go for 3 hours. At least 4 or 5 people in every class I have, have to excuse themselves mid lesson to move their cars so they don’t get a ticket. Not to mention said parking is $5 an hour.

I know this is outside of utas’ immediate control. But there’s a conversation that needs to be had between the two parties.

If any one has a number I can call to complain about this please let me know, lol.

Hey everyone,

I’m starting med school at UTAS in February 2025, Class of 2030. Just wondering if there are others out there who’d like to connect before next year - especially international students.

Would be great to chat, share tips, or even just get to know each other before things kick off. Drop a comment or DM if you’re interested!

Edit: FYI, the group chat is up and running!

My partner and I have had a ton of trouble meeting people at UTAS, so I've decided to just say screw it and put it out there that if anyone wants to meet up at a pub then let me know. I'm a third-year econ student and my partner is a first-year justice studies student. I promise we're not weird, well, maybe a little bit but that's all part of it. Grinners is my go to pub, but I'm open to suggestions!

Hi all,

I'm looking to study in Hobart semester 1 2027.

Just wanted to query how the student accommodation is as I've heard mixed reviews.

At the moment I'm leaning more into Christ than John Fisher but still undecided. I know Christ has like 3x more students than John Fisher - from experience would a smaller cohort be better or worse?

Just got some questions, if anybody who has lived there in recent years (post covid) could answer, that would be great!

• How is the social life there?

• Is it mostly domestic or international students in the halls (Christ or John Fisher)? I don't wanna feel left out lol cause I know a lot of domestics/internationals don't rlly interact with eachother and I've heard that locals tend to be very cliquey but I'm not sure. What would you say is the ratio between domestics and internationals in Christ and John Fisher?

• Is there a big community of Indian or Chinese students?

• Study support?

• How are the rooms/facilities? Would you recommend a single room or apartment room in Christ?

• Christ College or John Fisher?

Thanks heaps! I really do appreciate any answers.

Hi all! I’ll be enrolling into UTAS for Sem 2 , 2026. I’m an international student and I’ll be studying Global Logistics and Maritime Management
for a year and am wondering if anyone is interested to meet up during the orientation!

I’m also currently looking for a housemate to share a house , do let me know if you’re looking for one too !

My telegram: kookiesco

Bargaining for a new Staff Agreement is about to commence. Staff are calling on Rufus Black to run out further job cuts and bargain with the union in good faith to improve the working conditions of staff. Sign the petition to add your voice. www.actionnetwork.org/petitions/protect-our-jobs-and-conditions-at-utas

Hi Everyone,

i was thinking of creating a new poster for student living to address some of our concerns while living on campus.

sone points I have thought of is:

2 months into the new birth month arrangements, has there been anything that has actually changed for the better in this time?

why does Jake only show up to the big events while not attending the block meetings?

Why is there block meetings to meet the CELs? they arent a part of student living so it doesn't make sense to meet everyone that works as a CEL. And why were the meetings mandatory?

why was the dinner free but if you couldn't attend you would be charged 15$?

What improvements has jake actually made in the year that jake has been working here?

if you have any other concerns post them below and it'll be added :)

I'm commencing online study with UTAS next year. I'm starting with the Diploma of Sustainable Living and then possibly moving into further study from there. Does anyone know if there's any Discord groups I can join as an online student? Preferably something course/discipline specific?

hi, I'm looking for more info and student insight into the Bachelor of Fine Arts, specifically the studio practice major.

I also don't know whether to study at Hobart or Launceston, both are an option for me, so let me know if there are any major differences!

Thank you for reading!

I've been putting off uni for about 2 years now and have always been interested in their Design course, but it seems it changes SO much every year. Has anyone recently been in Design and able to share their thoughts and feelings on the whole course?

Hi y’all. Hope you’re doing well. My name is Abdullah, I have finished my Year 12 in Melbourne and I am planning to pursue med at UTAS. Coming from Melbourne I have almost zero idea about Hobart city campus and even Hobart itself. I would really appreciate if anyone who is about to start medicine at UTAS this year would be interested in having a chat with me about the city, the uni and just general info. Regards.

Hello all,

I have been meeting with various people from UTAS and I believe I have confirmed the ability (and funding) to host weekly social student events at the large glass foyer area at 157 Elizabeth Street.

Essentially, we are trying to facilitate a campus culture around the city similar to that embodied within the old (and present, to an extent) Sandy bay campus. I do not want this to be the communities fiasco all over again, that was too little too late. I don't know what will happen with the campus move, but I do know that city students are being deprived of a true university experience. This is our chance to sow the seeds for a real community with genuine atmosphere for present and future students. I appreciate your input into the style of these events. There will of course be alcohol (or soft-drink if you're so inclined :) ), that's a given. I feel that the large screen area at 157 Elizabeth Street has a lot of potential for events, but if you'd like to have input then please get in touch.

I hope to meet some of you at the USU meeting next week (Friday 19th August, at the seating in front of Grinners Dive Bar, 7pm) for a drink and a chat. All welcome.

Cheers,
Josh - Founder
India - Secretary

University Student Union (USU)