im probably going to have to spend around one year at wsu so i would end up being able to apply for uts for sem 1 2026. how much is 4-5 gpa in terms of marks? or does it get converted differently, ie if switching from easier to harder courses?
thats a very impressive calculator!
Ideally yes, if you just scrape 85 across all your subjects, that should get you a into the 6.0-7.0 GPA which would be better for transfer requirements.
On your point on how different high school is from uni, I would say significantly different. There are a few aspects where uni is different is from high school (which I outline below):
). Nonetheless, people are kind once you get to know them and you can find similar interests really quick.Grade | Notation | % | Descriptors |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Distinction | H | 100-85 | Work of outstanding quality, broadly speaking, which may be demonstrated by means of criticism, logical argument, interpretation of materials or use of methodology. This grade may also be given to recognise particular originality or creativity. |
| Distinction | D | 84-75 | Work of superior quality demonstrating a sound grasp of content, together with efficient organisation and selectivity. |
| Credit | C | 74-65 | Work of good quality showing more than satisfactory achievement. |
| Pass | P | 64-50 | Work showing satisfactory achievement. |
| Satisfactory | S | Student has met defined criteria at an appropriate level within a specified time. Only used for ungraded assessments. | |
| Fail | F | 49-0 | Unsatisfactory performance |
| Unsatisfactory | U | Student has not met defined criteria at an appropriate level within a specified time. Only used for ungraded assessments. | |
| Practicum Fail | PF | Student has failed to satisfy criteria for practicum assessment and will not progress further in the subject (and program if the subject is compulsory). A PF grade must be approved by Head of School and submitted with supporting documentation. | |
| Compulsory Fail | CF | Student has failed a threshold assessment component(s) of the subject other than the practicum, but has achieved a total mark of 50 or more for the subject. | |
| Withdrawn (without academic penalty) | W | Student provides evidence of serious illness or misadventure experienced after the relevant census date. | |
| Fail Non Submission | FNS | Student has not officially withdrawn from the subject and has not completed one or more of the mandatory assessment requirements for the subject, as specified in the Learning Guide. |
it very much does, thank you!Ideally yes, if you just scrape 85 across all your subjects, that should get you a into the 6.0-7.0 GPA which would be better for transfer requirements.
On your point on how different high school is from uni, I would say significantly different. There are a few aspects where uni is different is from high school (which I outline below):
Friends
For me personally I was a bit extroverted and went around getting acquainted with anyone I met (none of my high school friends went to the same uni as I did), and now I have a solid friend group at uni (which I am really lucky to have). But I see other people tend to be shy in class and don't have really anyone to associate with. So if you don't have many friends going to the same uni as you it tends to get difficult (although there are some people who are completely fine being alone
Learning
I am sure you have heard this many times and it is true. University professors will not force you to study, hence you need to be motivated yourself to study and tackle your assignments either by yourself or connections that you already have or you make in class or at uni. Each degree has different ways in which they teach students and the assignments (i.e Some business degrees and subjects have regular quizzes and in class tests on a weekly basis compared to criminology or science degrees where there are reflections and quizzes on a fortnightly basis).
Uni Clubs/Societies
Clubs are where the most fun is at (at least in my perspective once you attend them either with friends or people you are comfortable with). Many clubs at wsu hold regular weekly events which range from 1-4 hours (although the clubs/societies at wsu are not partnered with the ones at other unis, the executives still to their best to make it worth while for students). Yearly events and parties are also fun with free drinks, music and the vibes are the best.
Most universities have some form of club portal, wsu has WesternLife which is where you can officially join clubs, sign up to events (where there would be information about them). So from here you can sign up to various clubs and events
Attendance & Timetable selection
Attendance requirements fluctuates between universities and degrees. At wsu you have some degrees require compulsory attendance (the minimum attendance rate required should be around 80% (from what I know)), however, at all uni's you are given the opportunity to make your own timetable (compared to high school where you are given one). You are able to set up your timetable in a manner that may sometimes require you to go to uni once or twice a week which is completely beneficial because then you can allocate time to work, study, family time, hobbies, and other activities that you prefer.
Assignments/Assessments and Subject Marks
I sort of touch on this in the 'Learning' paragraph but I'll elaborate more. Assignments and assessments vary across degrees such as law having take home 24 hour exams (open book) or on campus handwritten exams (open book as well) compared to science degrees which tend to have essays, quizzes & reflections. But when it comes to final marks for each subject it is somewhat similar to the hsc (not in terms of scaling or anything more so in how it is accumulated). Some degrees and subjects have 50 marks for quizzes, assignments/assessments and then the final exam is 50 marks itself (similar to hsc 50% internals and 50% externals). It is best for you to maximise as many marks as possible for the 50 marks for quizes & assignments/assessments as it would only then require you to try less for the final exam when trying to aim for a HD (a mark of 85 and above see below for the way marks get categorised)
High Distinction H 100-85 Work of outstanding quality, broadly speaking, which may be demonstrated by means of criticism, logical argument, interpretation of materials or use of methodology. This grade may also be given to recognise particular originality or creativity. Distinction D 84-75 Work of superior quality demonstrating a sound grasp of content, together with efficient organisation and selectivity. Credit C 74-65 Work of good quality showing more than satisfactory achievement. Pass P 64-50 Work showing satisfactory achievement. Satisfactory S Student has met defined criteria at an appropriate level within a specified time.
Only used for ungraded assessments.Fail F 49-0 Unsatisfactory performance Unsatisfactory U Student has not met defined criteria at an appropriate level within a specified time.
Only used for ungraded assessments.Practicum Fail PF Student has failed to satisfy criteria for practicum assessment and will not progress further in the subject (and program if the subject is compulsory). A PF grade must be approved by Head of School and submitted with supporting documentation. Compulsory Fail CF Student has failed a threshold assessment component(s) of the subject other than the practicum, but has achieved a total mark of 50 or more for the subject. Withdrawn (without academic penalty) W Student provides evidence of serious illness or misadventure experienced after the relevant census date. Fail Non Submission FNS Student has not officially withdrawn from the subject and has not completed one or more of the mandatory assessment requirements for the subject, as specified in the Learning Guide.
For example, if you get 48/50 for assignments (hence your 'internals') then you would only need to get 37/50 for the final exam which gets you a flat 85 which is a High Distinction (HD). (Note: there is no difference between a 95 HD and an 85 HD - they are considered the same)
Overall, there are many aspects that uni is different from high school (i.e social life, sports, opportunities, internships, support services etc). But you just have to try your best and find out what works best for you.
Hope this helps
I am finding the content fun as hell because I like the degrees i chose
(currently doing Bachelor of Accounting & Bachelor of Law). We are allowed to seek assistance from professors, but it is usually not on an individual level (each subject has something called a discussion board where students put questions (which can be seen by the cohort doing the subject) which is then answered by professors or subject coordinators). Some professors are kind and would not mind discussing personal issues or queries that students have (but its entirely dependent on the nature of the teacher). I tend to be well organised because of my love for my degrees and the content. The best way for you to be organised is to start planning everything early, not 2 weeks into the semester, but day 1 when the subject outlines come out. Try to follow the advice given by your respective lecturers/professors and try to have a timetable. I usually make a goal of trying to get 90+ for my final subject mark (which is a long term goal), and then when each assignment comes I establish a certain mark I want to achieve (as a short term goal). Hence the accumulation of the short term goals have effectively helped me achieve my long term desired goals. (This is the approach I take but you could be taking another approach that suits you).
Part time job I think alongside uni is a great combo, just try not to have too many days of work occupying your time, in order for it not to conflict with your uni timetable
I was like that as well. But i felt like i needed to change so what i did was got WesternLife, I went straight to the directory which shows all the students on wsu. I clicked the filter for similar interest and similar degree which got me a few students, who I then extended a kind message of trying to get acquainted, and now are probably my best friends lol.
in terms of content and studying, do you find that there are adequate resources provided to you, and that you can find a good amount of online resources? at least in terms of your field of study. i don't have any dream jobs so im just going with things i can tolerate, hopefully i will enjoy it.I am finding the content fun as hell because I like the degrees i chose
One thing I do want to add, some teachers do not teach well at all, which is mainly due to language barriers. For example, one of my econ subjects, my current professor's english is not very good (although he 100% knows his content) its hard to understand, so you would need to study extremely hard in those situations/scenarios.
I tend to be well organised because of my love for my degrees and the content. The best way for you to be organised is to start planning everything early, not 2 weeks into the semester, but day 1 when the subject outlines come out. Try to follow the advice given by your respective lecturers/professors and try to have a timetable. I usually make a goal of trying to get 90+ for my final subject mark (which is a long term goal), and then when each assignment comes I establish a certain mark I want to achieve (as a short term goal). Hence the accumulation of the short term goals have effectively helped me achieve my long term desired goals. (This is the approach I take but you could be taking another approach that suits you).
Part time job I think alongside uni is a great combo, just try not to have too many days of work occupying your time, in order for it not to conflict with your uni timetable
I was like that as well. But i felt like i needed to change so what i did was got WesternLife, I went straight to the directory which shows all the students on wsu. I clicked the filter for similar interest and similar degree which got me a few students, who I then extended a kind message of trying to get acquainted, and now are probably my best friends lol.
That is one way, another way is course decision day at wsu (which they offer in december (from memory)), orientation week and just attending events held in summer
in uni, do you also practice past exams like in the hsc? There will definitely be resources provided for you in your respective degree. For me yes there is sufficient enough resources, however i tend to find online notes allow me to better understand some specific content. Although, the resources provided by the university is good enough, especially the textbooks.
I'm sure you will do great with enough effort put in
As a first year they dont expect amazing results in the range of 80s-90s. But its good to aim for that range because once you have that set momentum, it will be hard to lose it (at least from my subjective view). All you have to do is try your best and structure the way you approach each week, assignment, semester & year
In terms of past papers, it again fluctuates based on each subject. Some subjects or degrees give past papers whilst others don't give any. For me I try my best to find whatever I can, otherwise I get tutorial questions and ask AI to make harder questions for me to attempt (which is the only resource that can challenge me considering the university doesn't provide past exams for my econ subject lol)
Its certainly no problem, I didn't receive help back in 2023
. So I wouldn't want anyone to be in the same position as me, so don't hesitate to ask more (thats the sole purpose of this website anyway LOL)
thank you very much! i will certainly have much reason to put in a lot of effort next year and get good (apart from uni fees and so much debtThere will definitely be resources provided for you in your respective degree. For me yes there is sufficient enough resources, however i tend to find online notes allow me to better understand some specific content. Although, the resources provided by the university is good enough, especially the textbooks.
I'm sure you will do great with enough effort put in
As a first year they dont expect amazing results in the range of 80s-90s. But its good to aim for that range because once you have that set momentum, it will be hard to lose it (at least from my subjective view). All you have to do is try your best and structure the way you approach each week, assignment, semester & year
In terms of past papers, it again fluctuates based on each subject. Some subjects or degrees give past papers whilst others don't give any. For me I try my best to find whatever I can, otherwise I get tutorial questions and ask AI to make harder questions for me to attempt (which is the only resource that can challenge me considering the university doesn't provide past exams for my econ subject lol)
Its certainly no problem, I didn't receive help back in 2023
).. thank you so very much again!If you see your course handbook here => https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au/majors-minors/human-nutrition-ug-testamur-major/#sequencetext
ahhh i see, that is more undertstandable now. is the required credit points the same for all uni or does it vary, would taking the required subjects (and doing good enough in them) be enough to be able to transfer out? i know im thinking very far ahead but im trying to get the exact course that i want this time. i would rather do it on technology as its sort of more generally applicable.
Varies across unis
I am not too sure, however, doing well would show universities that you’re a good enough student. (Note: universities are businesses at the end of the day, so if you show potential, they will almost always accept you because you bring in money - it’s harsh but the truth)
It’s fair, just try your best and do more research on similar subjects between the unis, that way you undertake those similar subjects and makes the transfer process easier (I think)i know im thinking very far ahead but im trying to get the exact course that i want this time. i would rather do it on technology as its sort of more generally applicable.