Orientation Week, better known as O-Week, is often marketed as a social whirlwind of events, parties and (sometimes awkward) icebreakers.
But beyond the jam-packed schedule of activities, there’s another very real reason to show up early and walk around campus: the freebies.
Yes, the rumours are true. O-Week is prime time for collecting useful (and sometimes unexpected) free stuff that can genuinely make student life easier – especially when you’re new and trying to save money.
Here are some of the best freebies you can expect at O-Week and why they’re actually worth grabbing.
Food and snacks
Let’s start with the most popular category: free food. During O-Week, student societies, university departments, and sponsors often give out snacks to attract people to their stalls. Think pizza slices, sausage sizzles, cupcakes, protein bars, instant noodles, coffee vouchers and even energy drinks.
A free slice of pizza might not seem like a lot, but especially in your first few weeks when you’re still figuring out your routines, budgets and closest grocery stores, a free lunch and a few pantry staples actually go further than you’d think.
Grabbing a snack while wandering around also means you can stay longer at events without needing to leave to find food.
Stationery (aka things you’ll never need to buy)
If there’s one thing O-Week is famous for, it’s free stationery. Pens, highlighters, sticky notes, notebooks, tote bags, planners – you name it. If you collect enough, you may genuinely not need to buy a pen for the rest of the semester (or year). Some Reddit users even got through an entire master's without ever needing to buy a pen!
This is especially handy if you’re an international student arriving with limited luggage space. Picking up notebooks and folders on campus saves you an early trip to buy supplies, and branded tote bags quickly become your go-to for groceries, gym gear, or library runs.
Useful tech and study freebies
Some stalls go beyond the basics. Depending on your university and sponsors, you might find USB drives, laptop stickers, phone stands, screen wipes or even power banks. A sponsor at Monash Uni last year was even giving away a number of iPads and Surface Pros!
You’ll also often find free trials or subscriptions to useful software you might need for your degree (think word processing tools, design programs or online calendars, which can all be pretty expensive if you have to pay full price!). It can be a bit chaotic trying to sign up for things when you’re surrounded by other students trying to do the same, but it’s worth taking the info and deciding later when things settle down.
Health, wellbeing and self-care items
Universities usually make a strong effort during O-Week to promote wellbeing, and that often comes with freebies attached. Expect sunscreen, lip balm, hand sanitiser, stress balls, eye masks and even mini first-aid kits.
Mental health organisations and campus support services often run stalls too, making O-Week a low-pressure way to learn what help is available if you ever need it.
Discount vouchers and giveaways
Not all freebies are physical. Many stalls offer discount codes, vouchers or entries into giveaways if you sign up to their mailing lists. This can include reduced gym memberships, free trial classes and food discounts, and you can always unsubscribe later if you decide the service isn’t for you.
It’s worth keeping a folder (digital or physical) for any of these that you collect, as they can be easy to forget once classes start. A free coffee or discounted meal can be a lifesaver during a long study day.
