WHO TO FOLLOW: Stay up to date on the latest COVID-19 info
Stay up to date on the latest and most accurate information by following:
Or your local state health departments:
We also recommend international students follow:
HOME HEALTH CHECK: COVID-19 symptoms and what to do if you feel sick
Resources to help you keep on top of symptoms and what to do if you do if you need medical care:
Information about overseas student health cover:
GETTING VACCINATIONS: Get the latest on Australia’s vaccine rollout
Are you confused about COVID-19 vaccines in Australia?
With lots of conflicting information floating around about getting vaccinated in Australia, it’s not surprising that most people are confused about whether they are eligible.
Everyone over 18 book a vaccination at participating medial clinics, pharmacies and Government-run vaccination hubs.
If you are interested in getting vaccinated, the best thing to do is jump onto the Australian Government’s Vaccine Eligibility Checker (https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/), where you will be able to search for the closest option or by earliest available appointments.
Are you an international student?
COVID-19 vaccines are voluntary and free for everyone living in Australia. You do not need a Medicare card if you get your vaccination at an Australian Government vaccine clinic. If you answer NO to the Medicare question, you will still be presented with all available options.
TALK ABOUT IT: Mental health support services
The following services are available to our residents to support them during this challenging time…
National resources:
The Australian Government is encouraging students in Australia to access support through the following agencies:
- Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14
- Youth Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636
- Headspace – 1800 650 890
- Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800, for those under 25 years of age
These service providers all have multilingual counsellors available.
NSW resources:
- Study New South Wales is directing students to the organisations in the National approach above.
QLD resources:
VIC resources:
Health insurance providers:
Support can also be accessed via your health insurance provider:
SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE: Foreign language COVID-19 resources
Foreign language resources:
KEEP BOREDOM AT BAY: Have fun while you stay at home
Bored? Check out our recent blog post – or try some of these cool online apps and activities…
Watch:
Listen:
Learn:
- Upskill with a TEDx Talk – Learn from local speakers presenting to local audiences about everything from politics to pollination
- Join Masterclass – Access over 80 celebrities and experts as they teach a masterclass their field, including sports, cooking, acting, music and more
- Get crafty – Take a virtual craft class online with ClassBento
Play:
- Houseparty – Keep connected, play games or throw a virtual party using this must-have app
- Design Home – Channel your inner interior designer with this addictive game
- SketchAR – Learn how to draw using augmented reality, machine learning, and neural networks
- Smule, The Social Singing App – Access a huge database of songs to sing along to with the original artists or your friends
- Colouring Apps – Enjoy the relaxation of colouring without breaking out the books and colored pencils
- Quick, Draw! – Play Pictionary with a robot
EAT WELL, STAY FIT: The best food and fitness apps
With a bit more time on our hands, it’s the perfect time to try a new recipe or five! Check out these apps for upskilling in the kitchen:
- Big Oven – Hailed as the godfather of cooking apps, with over 250,000 recipes that you can search by keyword, course, ingredient or collection
- Yummly – Perfect for the indecisive, the time-poor or the picky, with hundreds of thousands of recipes and recommendations based on your tastes
- Taste – You may already know of taste.com.au, they have taken their 40,000+ online recipes that popped them into a super helpful app
- Kitchen Stories – One of the clearest, easiest-to-use cooking apps available, with a strong video element alongside the expected text and photos
- The Great British Bake Off – if you’re a fan of Britain’s favourite cooking show then you’ll love this app, with heaps of easy recipes for yummy isolation treats
Need to work off those yummy isolation treats? Or just keen for a dopamine boost? These online workouts are here to help:
- Virtual classes – Many gyms and studios are offering virtual classes so you can continue to get your sweat on, check out this live list which is being updated regularly
- Nike Training Club – If you want to get fit like the pros, this is the app for you, and the best bit is that it’s all for free!
- Yoga with Adriene – YouTube’s favourite yoga instructor, Adrienne’s library of yoga lessons is extensive with a practice for any mood, level, time or ailment that you’re dealing with
- Jane Fonda on BeFit – If you haven’t watched the famous 1982 VHS Jane Fonda’s Workout, you’ve probably heard of it! While you can’t watch the OG VHS for free, you can watch Fonda’s videos on the BeFit YouTube channel – for everything from retro cardio to yoga energy boosters.
- Les Mills – Now offers full-length workouts on their YouTube channel, check out the BODYJAM video for a fun dance party in your living room
Speaking of dancing…
- Sydney Dance Company – is now offering ballet, jazz and contemporary classes, across beginner, intermediate and open levels
- Mad Dance House in Brisbane – has taken all their classes online and it will only set you back $28 a week for unlimited classes
- Passion Studio in Melbourne – teaches k-pop, hip hop, krump, popping and more, classes are $10 each and need to be purchased the day you want to participate, then you can watch it live or for a full 24 hours after it’s recorded
STAY PRODUCTIVE: Tips for effective study at home
If you’re unable to go to school or university, here are 11 effective tips to help you study at home:
Here is what a typical morning of online uni looks like for USYD student Alicia, with some awesome productivity and note taking tips:
