• Charles Sturt to host Advantage Retreats at four of its regional campuses
• The retreats are held as part of the Charles Sturt Advantage early offer program
• Students will participate in activities in Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga from Tuesday 12 to Wednesday 13 December

Students who have accepted early entry offers to study at Charles Sturt University in 2024 are getting an early glimpse of university life as they prepare to immerse themselves in their campus towns and cities.

Charles Sturt is hosting an overnight retreat for students who have received an offer to study through the Charles Sturt Advantage (CSA) early offer program.

The retreats will run from Tuesday 12 to Wednesday 13 December in Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga.

Charles Sturt Advantage Co-ordinator Mr Jordan Stewart said the popular retreats are a chance for students to familiarise themselves with the campus, their peers and university facilities before starting classes in the new year.

“This event is a staple offering for Charles Sturt Advantage students,” he said.

“It is a chance for them to make friends and connections, spend time with Student Ambassadors, explore their campus city and get a feel for what it’s like to stay on campus overnight.

“Students notoriously leave the event feeling confident and excited for their university journey the following year, before orientation.”

CSA students receive exclusive access to information sessions, newsletters and events, such as the CSA Retreats, to help their transition from high school to university.

Each retreat includes campus city tours and bespoke campus-specific activities that focus on promoting and supporting local businesses, as well as workshops run by current Charles Sturt students.

The future students will meet course academics, University staff and students and learn about support services offered at Charles Sturt.

Charles Sturt Advantage recipient and nursing student from Albury-Wodonga Ms Madeline Dundon said the event she attended during a previous year helped familiarise her with the campus and it is where she made friends that she still has now in her third year at university.

“The event … got me feeling comfortable well before I moved to campus to commence my studies,” she said.

“Spending the two days with Charles Sturt Student Ambassadors also helped me feel really excited to come to university and any nerves I had about attending university dissolved as I spoke with the current students who had been in my position before.”

The next round of applications for Charles Sturt Advantage opens in 2024.