Is it a chance to win or just a guaranteed special prize (may just be on campus vouchers?)? Because some of the chance to win stuff can be fairly good.
On this, one of my subjects the only way you could get an "HD" in the final essay was if it was able to be published in a journal (very difficult, and a high standard) so you'd have very few individuals (or none) in the unit of study who would be able to get an HD.
Accounting units for the most part have solid lecturers/tutors but the "Subject Review Threads" in the Macquarie forum can give you more details.
https://www.boredofstudies.org/forums/macquarie-university.116/
1. Would it be wise to get the textbooks for my subjects now and start taking notes during this break?
No, enjoy your break (plus textbooks may change).
2. When should I start taking notes, now or mid January since uni starts early march?
Once University has commenced.
3. Should I have two...
One of the "gum tree" Universities so heaps of outdoor space and the largest outdoor sculpture park in the Southern Hemisphere.
Teaching wise depends on degree/units, and I'd say the culture varies depending on the degree too.
What degree?
Would suggest visiting both the Macquarie and USYD campus.
If we are rating outdoors campus then my personal feelings are Macquarie > USYD.
The largest outdoor sculpture park in the southern hemisphere may play into that though ;)
You can major in Computer Science in Macquarie University Information Technology degree https://www.mq.edu.au/study/find-a-course/information-technologies/computer-science
Where are you located? How long does it take you to get to University?
Macquarie may be better to go to.