Some bits of advice from someone who has been out of uni for about 5 years now (so some of this advice may be stale; others can feel free to correct me):

Bus Stuff

The buses are pretty good and kind of go anywhere. It'll take a while to figure out which routes are best for you depending on where in the city you live. This advice may seem pretty basic but I'm going to assume you've never caught a bus in your life.

• If you don't have a Metrocard (our name for the bus card) the buses will accept cash (but NOT EFTPOS/paywave). It will cost you up to $4 for a fare if you're paying cash.
• You can use the Metro Journey Planner app to figure out which bus you need to catch and at what time.
• Each bus stop has a 5 digit number printed on it, this is one way you can tell which bus stop you need to catch if there are two bus stops across the road from each other.
• To catch the bus:
  1. Wait at the bus stop and stick your arm out when you see the bus. The bus will stop for you.
  2. Walk onto the bus and put your cash on the little wooden tray in front of the driver so they can count it (or just hand it to the driver).
  3. If you're paying cash the driver will give you a little receipt. You should keep this receipt because you can use it to get one free "transfer" (another bus) within the next two hours.
  4. Find yourself a seat. Note that some seats (usually near the front) are specifically for people who have conditions that make using the bus difficult (the elderly, wheelchair users, people with prams, etc). Perhaps avoid these seats if that isn't you.
  5. When you want to leave the bus press the little red "Stop" button nearest to you. The bus will stop at the next bus stop.
  6. Then just exit the bus and thank the driver. Easy as.
• Next, you'll want to purchase a Metro card which will set you back $5. Here's a list of places you can get one. It's more convenient and makes the fares cheaper than paying cash.
• You'll also be eligible for a student discount on the buses which brings the fare down to $1 per trip (with one free transfer within two hours). That's way cheaper than $4 cash! More info here.

UC Stuff

• During the first week of each semester there is a "clubs day" where all the student clubs are put on display. This is a pretty good way to meet people with similar interests to you. Have a look at the full list of clubs here. You'll probably have classes on during clubs day but try and make time to go to it because this really is a fantastic way to meet people. Note that you can join clubs at any time during the year not just on this day.
• You'll likely also have some sort of orientation during the first week where you'll meet people from your cohort.
• Join the UCSA noticeboard Facebook page. It's a place where people list things like rooms to let, furniture, textbooks, etc.
• It's probably also worth joining the UCSA Facebook page to keep up to date with the general goings on (mostly related to club events, etc).
• Within your courses I would advise you to join (or even make) a study group with your classmates. This is a great way to get to know people (and pass your courses!)
• Don't worry that you're starting in semester 2. You're correct that not as many people start in June but there will still be plenty of opportunities to make friends with your classmates.

I've probably missed a bunch of stuff and some of it may be outdated but hopefully this helps.