There are so many programs, events and initiatives being run at the university that I think everyone should know about, so here’s a little something I wish I could have read when I was in my first year…

1. Student Representative Council (The Griffith SRC)

There are so many opportunities to socialise at Griffith. There are movie nights, club meetings, and sooooo many student events run by the student representative council.

What’s really cool is that Griffith hosts special week-long events such as environmental, bounce back and multicultural weeks at ALL 4 physical campuses (Nathan, Gold Coast, South Bank and Logan) and a bunch of online events. These events involve stalls, food trucks, therapy pets and mail outs!

The Student Representative Council (SRC) (or Student Guild for Gold Coast students) is an incredible resource. The SRC offer a plethora of courses like their Barista, First Aid & CPR, Self Defence, RSA and/or RSG and Auslan courses that are running all the time and at a discounted fee compared to going to external providers. You can find out more on the Griffith Uni SRC website!

Also, there are so many chances to snag a free fruit box. Literally, there are always so many fruit boxes!

2. Wellness and Wellbeing

If you’re reading this during O Week or really any time, you’ll most likely be able to see a WALi (Wellness Advocacy and Leadership Initiative) stand. WALi provide a point of connection and a place for conversations for students seeking information and guidance about mental health and wellbeing. They’re all super sweet people! Next, we’ve got The Griffith University Mutual Aid Society, who just keep on blowing me away! They host Twilight Markets, Buy Nothing Clothing Markets, social events raising money for charities, crafternoons, and they stock up the student pantry (at Nathan Campus). It’s definitely a good idea to join their Discord server. I hear about so many Griffith things in and out of the club that are happening through the server.

3. The Repair Cafe

There are so many on-campus resources like the Repair Cafés, which occur frequently and provide a space for volunteer repairers to lend their skills to the uni and perform sewing and mending, electronics, jewellery and general repairs (have a Google and check out their website to get involved!). As a volunteer repairwoman myself, I can confidently say that everyone involved are such kind people who are really good at what they do!

4. The Clothing Library

The Clothing Library is a student-led initiative that originated as a Millennium Fellowship Project in 2022 by Repair Cafe volunteer repairwoman Margo Doherty, alongside Louise Hauser and Wilma Brand. The Griffith Clothing Library provides business and placement attire for free at Logan Campus in the large red shipping container outside the L04 student lounge and is open on market days.

5. Volunteering

You can volunteer in so many capacities at Griffith. Honourable mentions are becoming an O Week Leader (OWL), Faculty Volunteer Mate or Mentor, Wellness Leader and Griffith Sport Event Leaders. Definitely Google some of these to find out what they involve!

6. Sports

There are tons of sports events during the year, including the Toohey Trail Run, Logan Fun Run, social sports, club sports, and uni vs uni sport teams competitions. With 16 sports clubs including hockey, esports, netball and table tennis, I’m sure every sporty student can find something they’ll enjoy. You can read more about our Dragons Rugby League 9’s team and their UniSport Nationals run on the Griffith Journal Website! Definitely worth a read!

7. The Student Academy of Excellence (SAE)

The Student Academy of Excellence (SAE) (formally Honours College) offer experiences to high-achieving students to be mentored by an in-field expert or an academic at the uni, to network, undertake practical training, participate in research projects and go global. They run Millennium Fellowships (like The Clothing Library), trips to volunteer overseas and run an ENACTUS Club. Griffith’s ENACTUS won the ENACTUS Australia 2025 National Champions with the project Cook and Connect, qualifying them to represent Australia at the prestigious ENACTUS World Cup 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand!

If you’re a first year, you’ve missed your chance for this academic year. When you’ve completed at least 40 credit points, you can apply during the application window if you receive an invitation to apply or have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 6.5.

8. Peer Assisted Study Sessions

PASS Sessions (great to attend during first year) support you as an additional class outside of your lectures and tutorials, where high-achieving students who have done well in the subject support you in consolidating content and providing extra assistance during the exam period.

If you’re a really smart cookie in first year, you might consider becoming a Peer Assisted Study Session Leader (PASS), where you get to turn the tables and be the teacher.

The SRC and GUGC Student Guild also offer so much to students with all types of support. There are so many resources out there for everyone. Why not connect with the Griffith community and the support Griffith website to see what’s on offer for you?

Let us know in the comments what you wish that you knew before starting uni at Griffith! 🙂