New Territory

Throughout the course of the term, my blogging experience was certainly an interesting one. It was confusing, difficult and entertaining- often all at the same time! The following passage explains how I came out the other side with a sense of satisfaction after gaining knowledge of something I had never previously experienced before.

This term was very different to any other I had been a part of before. I had become accustomed to learning things that I knew I would have to face in exams, and doing things on an independent level. Although there are many aspects of this course that will have a role when it comes to the exam, blogging is not something you can be examined on. The practicality of it was also refreshing, as I had become used to just writing documents and handing them in for my assignments. Working in a group, and knowing that you have to perform in order to prevent letting the group down, was another new aspect. Because of this, I always had it in my mind that what I was writing was going to be seen by a reasonably large amount of people, which made me think twice before writing an unimpressive sentence. In this way, it was productive writing for a blog, because perfection was always in the back of my mind.

The different tasks assigned to us allowed us to conjure up a whole scope of story ideas. I tried to follow the theme of the blog to my best ability, so my imagination didn’t run wild. As said before, I didn’t want to say anything that may look unimpressive or off topic to the blog, so I tried to keep it simple, but complete and informative. The assignments gave me a chance to write about my opinions that I have felt throughout the year. For instance, I enjoyed coming up with all sorts of points on my opinion piece to do with lectures being worthless, because a lot of the points I brought up are points I have discussed between friends and family. So this was finally my chance to express it to a significant amount of people. Therefore my research was largely based on previous and personal experiences, without needing to venture far away from res, as proven by my profile on Peter- a fellow member of Centenary House.

I prefer being independent with my work, so I didn’t relish the prospect of being in a group. Regrettably, I missed a couple of meetings due to other commitments, so I felt I didn’t contribute to the group as much as I could have done. When I was a part of the meetings though, the atmosphere was always warm, and we didn’t have a problem in coming to agreements on the group tasks, like the comic strip for instance. It was in my opinion, a fantastic piece, that I honestly don’t deserve any credit for due to my lack of participation! However, I will take a greater confidence away with me when next working with a group.

I believe that blogging is an extremely substantial aspect of journalism. The internet is the future, and as Sim said in the lecture today, “the future is now.” The majority of students have facebook, and in many ways facebook is a blog in itself, as it contains your profile, plus a section in which other people can write to you. That is why I believe facebook has a large role to play when it comes to teaching blogging in the future.

I disagree with the fact that being ‘confined’ to blogging this term has negative connotations. We tend to focus on an aspect of journalism every term, and because of the importance that I have discussed blogging in journalism to be, it was of great importance to get actively involved in it. To a certain extent, I liked the fact that we also had a deadline close approaching, whether it be just a comment or a full assignment, because it meant we had to be constantly involved with it. Due to this, I was looking at my blog every day, and being involved with your work on a daily basis can surely only be a good thing! On the downside, I felt that the lectures lost their value, because to be involved with this module, you had to have a computer in front of you, and most of the lectures were dedicated to the assignment due the next day, of which I felt only needed a glance on RUConnected to grasp an understanding of them.

When discussing my opinion piece, I had second thoughts with many of the points I brought up, as it may be argued that I went against the ethics concerning lecturers and the system that Rhodes University goes by. Lecturers may feel victimized in the way that I mentioned that they only read over the slides, and their tendency to be monotonous. I stand by my view on this, but is it ethical? It remains to be seen, but as said before, I felt this blog was the chance to express all my concerns.

On a scale of 1 to 10, it would give this a 6 in terms of my personal benefit from this course. I’ve learnt to perfect my writing, knowing that a lot of people would read it. I’ve also learnt to create a blog, something I was afraid of at the beginning of this course, as it is new territory for me. However, I feel there is an insignificant place for blogging in a world ever growing in facebook dominance. I believe facebook is the place for blogging, as it will receive a far greater number of viewers, and as it is familiar to such a vast majority of people, it is far more approachable and accessible. All in all, I have enjoyed this course. It was something different, and I am sure it has broadened my horizons in terms of writing for an audience. I look forward to further involvement in this area of journalism in the future.

I'm Not Alone In This

As a firm believer in the lack of use for lecture attendance, I’ve found that you share my concerns, and you have come up with some points that only strengthens my argument.

You share many of the same concerns that I do. You say in relation to one of your subjects, “pointless lectures, literally reads from powerpoints which he posts online.” I could quote a very similar comment from my own blog post. It just goes to show that I am not alone in my opinion that one wastes their time going to lectures when a lecturer goes over slides that one can just go over in their own time.

An issue that I didn’t raise was your point expressed- “He is so confusing and goes off on tangents.” Lecturers can often go off the topic, and express viewpoints that have no apparent relevance to what is being learnt. This then creates too many ideas in a student’s head, prompting confusion over what to write when it comes to assignments.

As said in my opinion piece, there is of course some use for lectures. If one is able to get past the monotonous tone of the lecturer and actually listen to everything, there is a strong chance that valuable points will get brought up, leaving you more prepared when it comes to writing assignments or tests. “He’s willing to help if you go to his office hours,” is your quote suggesting the approachability of lecturers. From previous experience, this can be said on behalf of many lecturers at Rhodes University, where I currently study. Therefore it would be safe to say that if you can go to a lecturer one on one, and discuss the precise aspects of a subject you don’t understand, you would be far better off than going to the whole lecture that discusses points you may already know.

If you give yourself all the time to prepare, study and do what really counts (tests, assignments and exams), I believe it is far more beneficial than wasting valuable time going to lectures. You say “If you study on your own, you’ll be fine,” and I can’t help but agree with you. I sincerely hope I don’t get proven wrong when it comes to the end of year exams!

The comment was posted on http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/jive/vodka/viewThread.jsp?forum=2&thread=40293

A Clean Slate..

As a member of your res and an attender of that house meeting, I can agree that the generalization of the post-graduate was unnecessary, as there was no proof that the theft was the result of a first year. However, there are some points you bring up that I disagree with.

You say that the older guys demand respect. On the contrary, I am friends with a lot of them, and not necessarily just the guys from O-week. I grant you some of them aren't that friendly, but that's because they're unfriendly in general! There are a few first year guys that I don't get along with, and the first years of next year won't either, just because they are difficult people to get along with.

I believe that when you go to university, you are a given a clean slate by which to work on. Irrelevant of age or university year, people tend to be open and impartial to anything that comes their way, and the friendly atmosphere that I believe does occur in Centenary House, is a reflection of that. When it comes to approaching the first years of next year, I would in fact not have a problem of taking a leaf out of many of the older guys of the residence's books.

That's a bit harsh...

This blog deals with the issue of xenophobia amongst first years at Rhodes. I know that xenophobia is a serious and often very touchy subject, however, I do feel that you have placed a lot of unfair blame on Rhodes first years. Firstly, you overtly say that the majority of first years are ignorant and that the majority have this xenophobic outlook. Have you spoken to this "majority"? I can honestly say that I have encountered very few (if any) real xenophobic incidents and I feel as though you paint a very harsh and cruel picture of the "majority" of first years. I have many friends who are Zimbabwean, but they feel as though they would much rather be here at Rhodes than back home often and this point of view has not been included in your blog post. I am obviously not saying that there is no xenophobia at Rhodes, but there is no more of it here than homophobia, racism and sexism and my experience here at Rhodes has certainly not been one where I have been exposed to many incidents of any of these. My main problem with this article is you generalisation and the way in which you stereotype "the majority". Maybe it is the group of people you associate yourself with that behave in this sort of manner. If you broaden your scope, you will find many individuals who are not xenophobic and you may also find that "the majority" is not as ignorant as you make them out to be.

Juniors Vs. Seniors? I thought we were on the same team here?

In response to Juniors Vs. Seniors http://1styearspread.blogspot.com/2008/10/seniors-vs-juniors.html

When you were at school, were you never posed with decisions about whether or not to party hard and do the things that were then, illegal with your older friends? If you weren't, then perhaps you should have considered your move to Rhodes a little more carefully considering the reputation Rhodents have picked up of late. Even though now, I am almost certain that any student (whether a first-year or not) would stick up for their fellow students and deny the accusations of raucous behaviour on a weekly basis.

Your generalised opinion about second and third-year students simply being out to get first-years is completely unjustified. I know this because I have numerous second-year friends who showed me around campus and helped me cope with the academic stress I have suffered from. Not every older male student out there is looking to sleep with a first-year girl while not every first-year girl is naive enough to fall for every older male student's tricks.

Your piece digs into first-years and is very condescending which is extremely hypocritical as you preach about first-years’ vulnerability not being exposed and exploited. I don’t know about you, but my first year at Rhodes as well as my older friends have helped me gain invaluable knowledge which I don’t think I would’ve found anywhere else.

RU Hanging Like A Curtain?

So you had a rough one. Again. Now you’re lying in bed (or on the floor next to the toilet) the next morning trying to decide whether or not your life has any worth. This is an important decision and should not be taken lightly considering that it will be the reason you either do or don’t get up. Your head is spinning at a million light-years a second and you definitely aren’t moving anywhere. No matter how important that English tut you’re about to miss is to your future. A hangover is caused by a combination of the toxic by-product of alcohol metabolism (acetaldehyde), dehydration, and Vitamin A, B (particularly B6) and C depletion caused by the chemical action of alcohol on your system. The symptoms are usually a dry mouth, nausea, fatigue, dizziness and headache and are caused by a combination of these factors. “Oh my greatness,” you think while trying to remember how the heck to fix this. Well, Barman Green’s here to help. Read on for the best tips you’ll ever receive:

Hangover Remedies
Most hangover "remedies" simply attend to one or more of the symptoms and don't really provide a cure as such. The hangover won't stop until the alcohol is out of your system, but here are a few things that will ease the suffering a bit:
· Berocca - Puts the vitamin B back in, as well as the big glass of water it's mixed with. It's probably best to do this before you go out.
· Coke - Fizz for the nausea, liquid for the dehydration, and a caffeine and sugar hit to make you feel a bit more lively.
· Coffee - Same as Coke but without the bubbles to help ease the nausea. Try it with honey instead of sugar since the fructose is absorbed quicker than the sucrose in normal sugar, and it's better for you.
· Ginseng - It's been noted that since caffeine is a diuretic like alcohol, it can actually make the dehydration worse, so try the herbal equivalent instead.
· Marmite On Toast - Something in your stomach is good, and salty is even better. Plus you get a Vitamin B top up. The same reasons also make peanut butter a good choice, but the oily nature might make some sensitive stomachs feel a bit yucky. If you do try try this one, skip the butter and just have dry toast.
· Cold Pizza - Who knows, but it seems to work.
· Asprin - Simply attends to the headache and does nothing for the level of alcohol in your system. Don't take them before you go to bed.
· Bananas - Sugar in the form of fructose, and potassium, which is one of the things you lose lots of when you drink. Bananas are also a natural antacid to help with the nausea, and are high in magnesium which can help relax those pounding blood vessels causing that hangover headache. For a variety of reasons try a peanut butter, honey and banana sandwich on white bread.
· Vitamin C - Another thing the alcohol takes out that you're advised to put back in as soon as possible. Orange juice, tomato, a 600mg Vitamin C tablet - doesn't matter, just do it.
· A Hot Bath - The heat will sweat out the toxins that are causing all the problems. You'll feel a bit woozy at first but go with it and you'll feel better afterwards.
· Sauerkraut – Eating raw cabbage has been used right through history for preventing as well as curing hangovers.

Hangover Prevention
· Don't drink. (doh!)
· Take a Berocca before you start drinking. This gets a reserve of Vitamin B into you.
· Alternate fruit juice or water in amongst your drinks to avoid dehydration later on. Avoid fizzy or sugary stuff. The purists reckon that about 200ml of water is needed to effectively counteract each 30ml of alcohol.
· The alcohol in carbonated drinks is absorbed more quickly than in non-carbonated drinks.
· Reduce the amount of sugar you consume with your alcohol. The forced metabolism of sugar AND alcohol by your body will accelerate the depletion of B vitamins and make the hangover worse.
· The 2am pig-out. Pizza or pasta is usually best since cheese and carbohydrates are a good source of amino acids. Actually food is a good idea all round - before, during and immediately after drinking. Food doesn't absorb alcohol, but it does increase metabolism, activates alcohol absorption, and increases the speed with which the body processes alcohol.

Check out more hangover cures on Bek's blog at http://bekk.blogspot.com/2006/12/hangover-cures.html

And there you have it: from a barman’s mouth. Hangovers aren’t fun and neither are some of the remedies mentioned. All I have to say is: you deserve it!!!!

“Isn’t Amnesty, like, when you don’t have sex and stuff?”

When a high school graduate first sets foot in a university the experience of being away from their family often results in a much anticipated liberation family constraints and restricting school rules. Rhodes University is a prime example of this, as most of the students applying to the University are applicants wanting to study away from home. The idea of being free from one’s family and having to take more responsibility in life can be quite challenging for anyone, let alone a young, naïve first year. There is a sudden exposure to legal drinking without parental consent as well as having to manage some form of budget. This, if we have to be honest, is not easy to do, seeing as most of us use our parent’s pharmacy account for everything but medication.

Freedom and the usual high school life orientation classes about peer pressure, drugs and alcohol are accompanied by yet another taboo: unprotected sex. Despite having sex talk after sex talk, first years at Rhodes are generally blatantly naïve when it comes to protected sex. According to sites such as www.netdoctor.co.uk/sex_relationships/facts/safesex.htm. After speaking to several of my friends at Rhodes, I am aware that this is a generalisation, but that being said, there are those who really should think about enrolling for condom-application classes at SHARC. Perhaps a possible solution to this problem lies in a single word: abstinence – or as my sleep-deprived friend once said at 05:00 after pulling an all-nighter; “Isn’t Amnesty, like, when you don’t have sex and stuff?” I know the guy was tired, but it’s remarks like that make you think that maybe Rhodes students need a refresher course (and this guy is a 3rd year, believe it or not).

What annoys me the most that people are choosing to remain blissfully ignorant about the fact that HIV/Aids has no face. There are organisations on campus (like SHARC) that make a point of covering issues such as unprotected sex and the dangers that follow. The organisation even goes the extra mile to teach first years how to put a condom on a wooden phallus. For crying out loud guys, the concept is not that hard. Yes I know you or your partner is on the Pill, but last time I checked, HIV/Aids is not immune to a little white pill. The Rhodes calendar even caters for national Aids week – remember that long red carpet outside the library? That was not there for decoration. And there are not enough condoms missing from the free condom box in the res bathrooms to even cover ten percent of the girls in my res. So unless you are relying on your boyfriend’s condom box girls, you might want to pop past.

If you’re too shy to ask for a condom demo, check out sites such as www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Put-on-a-Condom/, where you can learn the ropes from the privacy of your own room. What scares me the most is; if it’s not desperate pregnant girls actually queuing for those dodgy abortion signs stuck up around town, then it’s the complete lack of HIV positive people NOT queuing up at the San for an HIV test.

Who Needs Lectures?

It is Monday night, and I have an important law test tomorrow, but I am stressing because I haven't had a chance to study for it today. I woke up at 7, ready to turn a new leaf and actually go to my psychology lecture, only to fall asleep because the monotonous tone of the lecturer is too great to cope. Next is sociology, and the lecturer reads from the slides, believe it or not something I am more than capable of doing, and she brings up the occasional 'valuable' points that I can figure out for myself anyway. Next is journalism, a lecture dedicated to the assignment we have to do the next day. I would much rather just get it done in good time than listen amongst the rubble of noise about something once again, already on the slides. At the end of the day, it leaves me wondering, why did I choose this over studying for what really counts?

We pay R75 a lecture. When you look at it that way, you would think that missing a lecture would be unthinkable. But the reality is, missing lectures really isn't the end of the world. In fact, going to lectures is often a waste of time, when you could be completing an assignment or studying for a test in the precious hours that you have.

I did a bit of research on the importance of attending lectures, but what I found was a quote saying "a lot of students do this (miss lectures) and just study a lot before the exam and end up with 80%, moderate grades." Moderate grades? I couldn't be happier if I got 80% for all my grades. For the last psychology module, I did crack a first for the test, without attending a single lecture. So why should I bother going to lectures if I can get respectable grades? Some students want to excel in their academics, but after all, we are here to pass, especially as first years. Another site I found talks about all the steps one should take before, during and after lectures. Is it really necessary to "evaluate the lecturers style" and "listen for intonation to know when ideas have been completed?" I know that if I tried to do that, I would have too much on my mind to focus on what really matters, the tests, assignments and then exams. You can participate and take down as much notes as you want, but if you don't complete your assignments or pass your exams, you get thrown out of the university. Simple as that.

In fairness to lectures, if you pay full attention, and take down a lot of notes, you are more likely to have a greater capacity to perform in tests and assignments. But with all the other issues going on in one's life, including that 2000 word assignment that is due for midnight on that very day, it is a lot to ask of oneself. Missing lectures can affect your conscience, leaving you pondering on whether you missed out on something important, and whether your friends who did go, are a step ahead of you. I can't speak on behalf of everyone, but I've found that more times than not, I haven't missed out on anything. The typical response to me asking "How was the lecture?" is "Ah, same old same old. Boring and pointless."

On the day of the law test, I decided to miss all my lectures. Luckily, the test was only at 7 that night, leaving me with ample time to study during the day. I studied effectively, and felt calm and ready for the once dreaded occasion. After the test, I asked my friend how he did. "I struggled hey, I didn't study hard enough." "How were your lectures today?" I asked him, knowing that he was a regular attender. Boring, fell asleep and useless were words I picked up in his response. And how did I do in that test? Watch this space.

Opinion Piece: Having a Mare...All Year Long!!!!!!

So, first-years are lazy and we drink too much. Got it. I’ll remember to tell my mother that next time she phones for our weekly chat and asks, “How’re things going there, my girl?” I don’t understand assumptions that are made by lecturers at this university, considering that once upon a time they too were first years and they too partied once or twice when they shouldn’t have. Am I missing something here? They graduated didn’t they and I’m pretty sure that they consider their lives a success. Over and over again we are attacked by lecturers and tutors alike who always fail to remember the great mark we received for our last assignment. A little contradictory considering they didn’t spend Wednesday night at home, working. I know this because I shared a cane train with my tutor yesterday. Never did I expect this sort of treatment from grown men and women. Surely, as a lecturer, one comes to sympathise with one’s students when they ask for an extension for the first time in the year only because the course was so badly planned out that all the biggest assignments are left to be done in the last two weeks of the year. Right before we have to hand in possibly the most important application form of our lives – the one for second year Journalism and Media Studies. Rather than wasting our time, why don’t lecturers actually lecture and keep their noses out of our social lives. I don’t think it’s appropriate for a male lecturer to comment on who will be sleeping in my bed with me that night after I have been caught talking. Do you? The School of Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes states in its mission statement that it aims to uphold the visions of the South African Constitution. Doesn’t Section fourteen D of the Constitution state that everyone has the right to privacy which includes the privacy of their communications? Surely, the letters we write to our friends in lectures form part of our communication, so therefore according to Section fourteen a lecturer has no right to read these letters. When students do arrive for their lectures, shouldn’t we actually be taught about the course work set out in the syllabus instead of being preached to about attending lectures? Doesn’t really make sense considering we are already there. Do our lecturers honestly believe that when we get back to residence, we run into our friend’s room and complain that they weren’t there? Somehow I don’t hear the words, “You’re wasting your parents’ money, Meg!” coming out of my mouth on a Thursday morning. If my friends don’t want to attend Journalism lectures, all it really means is that the chances of me making it into second year Journalism are improved. I apologise if this seems harsh; the stress and difficulty experienced due to my second year application has made me slightly bitchy. As first-years we have come to understand that our success and survival here at Rhodes comes down to time management. If our work is completed on time for the ridiculous deadlines, surely we’re doing something right. If we can balance our social lives and our academics, no matter how unstable the balance may be, I believe we’ve made it. So to every first-year who’s still a first-year, congratulations! I’m glad that’s over. Anyone for a drink?

Cane Train Madness 15 October

The Rhodents were out in full force on Wednesday 15 October because of the awesome cane train price specials. R35 for two cane trains would please even the emptiest of Rhodes students' pockets and this was very evident because the cane train bar hasn't been seen that full for ages. Rhodents, for the first time in a long time were caught queing for a cane train and those who had one were asked to drink theirs quickly in order to reuse the plastic "cup".

Personally, we would like to see more of this happening. Cane Trains are cheap as it is, but in order to convice people to skip pre drinks and come to Union early, this price cut is a great idea. The tables were lined with bright green and no one could deny that the evening was one of the most successful cane train rampages that a Rhodent has ever had.

We wait to see if these prices will be a regular event or if it was just a once off great night. We're hoping for the former becuase, we want to get aboard the cane train with crowds that big again. hold thumbs guys.

Time is money...

Anyone who knows the fees that individuals pay to learn and study at a university like Rhodes University would cringe at the thought of wasting a lecture sitting in silence in the General Lecture Theatre (GLT). Yet, this is exactly what the Anthropology 1 students have been experiencing of late. Time is money and money has been wasted by impromptu therapy sessions and lack of work. With two weeks to exams, this has many students worried whether or not they will be equipped to pass with so many lessons wasted.

This term, many Anthropology 1 students were alarmed to find that their new lecturer had rather alternative methods of teaching. These alternative teaching methods have included, 20 minute breathing exercises, getting to know the person sitting next to you intimately for a whole lecture and sitting in silence to get in touch with your feelings. While some students may see this as an opportunity to focus in between other lectures, I personally feel that it is a complete waste of my time. I study Anthropology 1 for a reason and that reason does not include collecting my thoughts on life together in a designated lecture period.

I understand that every lecturer develops his or her own special relationship with the students; however, I feel that this particular lecturer has crossed the lecturer-student barrier and tried too hard to be a friend. Sometimes, I just want to sit and learn about the subject I pay to study and this has been rather difficult because I always seem to have to toss up in my mind whether or not to brave the lecture. Perhaps it would be better if these group therapy sessions were given specific days and those who want to attend can and those who have a lot on their plate and go and do something more productive.

The number of students leaving mid-lecture has become progressively noticeable and even I have snuck out the back when I have a chance. The thought of a pile of work sitting untouched in my room while I sit in silence in the GLT just eats away at me. These students who leave are only to be embarrassed in front of the class and told that they are afraid of getting in touch with their feelings. I disagree, I feel that these students are just fed up.

The class attendance in these lectures has been steadily decreasing as students would rather miss a lecture than possibly learn nothing in one. Rhodes has an Anthropology 1 class that almost fills up Eden Grove Red during tests and on average, barely scrapes 30 people in lectures. This clearly shows the fact that the students are not compelled to learn about strangers or learn to breathe, but would rather learn about the Congo as the syllabus entails.

What I am most concerned about is the fact that the notes are not on RUconnected. Therefore, there are some lectures where information from the syllabus is mentioned and students are not present for “fear of learning about their feelings”. These students are not getting the experience that they paid for at Rhodes University and are missing out on valuable information that could arise in the ever approaching exams.
Therefore, I feel that since we pay for the subject, we should learn the subject and if we want therapy, we should pay for that instead. I am not afraid of my feelings- this is obvious because I am voicing them right now. What I am afraid of however, is getting into my Anthropology exam, staring at the essay question and thinking “I have no clue how to answer this, but at least I know how to breathe”.

THE RAT AND PIRATE

Lolo - did someone say my name?

Mpumelelo Malumo is a witty young man who has become a huge part of many a first year’s life due to his loyal, easy-going nature. These characteristics are not hidden beneath a “hard-core” exterior as most eighteen year-old men possess. His off-beat humour and fantastic smile, which hardly ever fades, give rise to his popularity amongst most who meet him. While he is proud of his name, he prefers to be called ‘Lolo’ as “even I find my real name difficult to say after a Wednesday Cane Train at Union”.

Lolo refers to his childhood as “nomadic” due to the fact that his divorced father who he lived with during his school days moved around from Zambia (where he was born) to England, then Tanzania and finally to South Africa. He is extremely happy here in Grahamstown as he can at last write down an almost-permanent postal address. He only has one sibling who he misses terribly; a twelve year-old sister who he describes as having more brains than anyone he’s ever known. “I wish I could be as smart as her – she speaks four languages, you know!” he exclaims as he orders another Coca-Cola from the pretty blonde waitress. He gives her a charming smile with his perfect teeth exposed, not through years of braces but rather through “good genes”. When asked about special friendships he’s developed through his time at Rhodes University, he speaks of a diverse group of friends who have been there to support him through every tough time as well as through the not-so-tough times. He tells me about a ‘brother” here with him who he’s been friends with since before he was known as Lolo. Josh Martin, another loyal Rhodent decides to phone his friend at this exact moment – is it telepathy? When asked whether he’s got a thing for blondes, he goes silent and his smile turns to a stern smirk. This young man is however a drama student so one can never be too sure if he’s just pulling one’s leg or not. He can’t keep a straight face for long though and soon his smile is back while he answers the posed question with a cheeky, “Maybe.”

Lolo matriculated from Maritzberg College last year although his schooling career was somewhat complicated due to his father’s continuous job-changing antics. Lolo was more of a jock than a drama student at school having played rugby, soccer and cricket. While we sit at the Rat and Parrot, every second person stops to greet him allowing one to understand why he wants to be a journalist – he is inquisitive and prefers to ask rather than be asked. He hardly ever speaks to his friends about his own life but rather enquires about theirs. Lolo doesn’t want to be a normal hard-news journalist though; he wants to be a presenter on E! Entertainment Television instead and follow in the footsteps of Ryan Seacrest, his hero. He started out wanting to be a doctor but got over that idea quickly when “I realised that I was definitely not a maths or science- boff.”

Lolo Malumo is definitely destined to be great. His energising persona and infectious laughter are sure to guarantee him a bright future. That’s if he ever actually leaves Rhodes; “I might just become a professional student like Van Wilder. Wow, that’d be cool!” Even though his life has been nothing near to perfect, he is determined to make the most of his opportunity and enjoy every moment. This man parties hard, works hard but “hangs harder”. Like what you read, or are you blonde? Then check out Lolo’s blog profile at http://www.blogger.com/profile/00500812868585339453.

Peter Moores-Pitt: The 100 Hour Man

Peter Moores Pitt, the man who received 100 hours community service. This is the infamous tag that he had to endure ever since that fateful night in the first term. Some might wonder how he is still at university. Overcoming such a discipline is not for the faint hearted. But despite the regret, the stress and the hardship, he has learnt a great amount, and has come out the other side a stronger person.

Peter came to Rhodes just as vulnerable and open minded as any other fresh rhodent. But issues back home, and the pressure of the demanding course that he took on, always left him feeling that he was ready to snap at any moment. “I was having a bit of a bad time, and that was the cherry on the top,” he reflects disgustedly, describing the night he punched a sub-warden. Peter is not one to let an issue go to rest easy, so when he felt that he was unjustifiably given disciplinary hours for a petty mistake, he struck in a moment of madness. When asked what went through his head the second after he did it, he laughed and said “I didn’t feel I hit him hard enough!” Despite this, he knows it wasn’t his proudest moment, and there was some regret. If he could go back in time though, he would consider doing it all over again. “I learnt some impressive life lessons from that night that has broadened my character and made me who I am today.”

Does 100 hours warrant the consequences of his actions? He doesn’t feel so, but “I’m sure everyone feels that way after they’ve been issued a disciplinary action” he told me, proving that impartiality is one of many qualities he has worked on throughout the year. The punishment continues to taunt the back of his mind as the hours are far from completion. “It is like a large workload that I know I am going to have to complete eventually.” Ironically, Peter and the subwarden get along well, and Peter has learnt to respect him as he has got to know him better. “He has such a fierce loyalty to the guys in res, and I appreciate that,” he said, chin up and eyes beaming. He has been able to put the past behind him and move on, yet another difficult task he has conquered.

All in all, he has had a fantastic year with plenty of special memories, and if he could take one of the many positive aspects out of this year, it would be the friends he has made, and finding a place where he can finally feel comfortable and at home. When I asked him what advice he could give to the first years of 2009, he said he would strongly encourage them to get involved in as many events around campus as possible. This is not just because of the opportunities that arise from them, but it is also because it is a way of relieving stress, and preventing the dwelling of the difficult moments in one’s life.

Getting to know Peter this year has been a privilege. He has proved that life can change drastically in an instance, but just because this happens, doesn’t mean it has to be for the worse. He has taken all opportunities that have come his way, and he has learnt from any mistakes that he feels he has made. If I was to ever fall into a similar situation, I would make no hesitation in taking a leaf out of his book.

Megan Kate Murison: More Than Just A Rhodent

James Dean once said, “Dream as if you’ll live forever; and live as if you’ll die tomorrow”. I not only find this quote one great significance to life itself, but also to one very special person who has touched my life. Megan Kate Murison may appear the average first year at Rhodes University; smart, friendly and very enthusiastic about her social life. But there’s something about this 19-year-old young woman that makes you want to look at her twice. Is the infectious smile? The stunning girl-next-door looks? Or the open-hearted friendliness that makes you like her instantly?

Born and raised in the metropolis of Johannesburg, Megan fits the description of a big-town, typical Sandton girl; pretty, vibrant, outgoing and a private-school education. Underneath the vivacious bravado, however, lies something deeper than her natural beauty. Like most young women, Megan too has suffered her own fair share of emotional problems. The difference with this young woman is her ability to go on with her life, not expecting the world to stop and wait while she picks up the pieces.

Before coming to Rhodes University, Megan went to a private, co-ed school in the suburbs of Johannesburg, where she matriculated with the same peers she started her grade one schooling in 1996. The limiting factor of being with the same people for 12 years is the risk of having a difficulty with making friends in later life. Megan has also always shared a very close bond with her family, especially with her mother, Pam. The natural pangs of homesickness were therefore inevitable when moving so far away from home, but Megan’s mentality is one of “I really don’t mind where I am, it just matters who I’m with”. True to her word, it did not take Megan long to settle down in the Rhodes way of life, and within days she had herself a group of fast, strong friends.

Despite having every reason to have a thread of vanity and self-indulgence, Megan is anything but selfish. When asked as to what makes her day, she responds by saying that her day is brightened when one of her friends is having a good day. “That smile that reaches their eyes – it just makes my day,” she says with a spark in her laughing blue eyes. When speaking about Megan to her peers, her boyfriend, second year BsC student Robert Jones, says “She is a beautiful, caring, loving girl who loves animals, her friends and her man. She enjoys having a good time as well as valuing her time alone”. A truer word has never been spoken about this bubbly would-be hippie.

Most of the time it takes years to get under someone’s skin and discover the person beneath the front they present to the outside world. With Megan Murison, however, you don’t need time to see the beautiful person inside. I have had the privilege of knowing Megan for eight years and I have seen the things she is capable of as a person. Not only do I admire her, but I’m also inspired by her to be a better person. There is an old saying that says that everyone needs that one special person who instils some intangible value to your life; someone who not only brings out the best in you, but manages to be there for you when life deals you an unfair hand. I am proud to say that Megan Kate Murison is that person for many, but especially for me.

Profile on Velisiwe Sithole

Velisiwe Sithole, a nineteen year old black woman, strikes people around her as being strong willed and composed. She seems calm and collected, but, instead, she admits to have been rattled and confused by her first year at Rhodes. This is a combination of living far away from her home in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and also from caving to the pressures of academic life at Rhodes. Therefore, the self-confidence that she possesses is not only one of her most endearing characteristics, but also one that she uses as a defense mechanism against her own worries.

Velisiwe chose Rhodes University because she felt that “there are more opportunities here [South Africa] than in Zimbabwe” and she always knew that she wanted to study outside of her own country. For most foreign students, independence would have to have been learned fast if they wanted to cope with the demands of working towards a university degree, but for Velisiwe, things have been a little different. Her deep brown eyes stare distantly away as she describes how she is used to being apart from her family as she lives with a helper in Zimbabwe. “I only see my mom about two times a year because she doesn’t even live in Zimbabwe with me.” Her mother currently resides in England. This has clearly had an emotional affect on Velisiwe and has aided her in becoming the self-sufficient first year that she is today. “I’ve been changed, but it is not a change for the worse” Velisiwe says.

Velisiwe was quick to acknowledge that the one thing that she wished she had learned earlier, or before she had come to Rhodes University, is how to pick herself up when she is feeling down. Similar to many first years, she has days when it seems far better to just lock herself in a room with the lights off and forget. Pressure from work and social life take its toll and it is often very hard for first years to find the balance. Velisiwe bravely admits that she would rather be upset in her room than let anyone know that she is feeling down and says that “sometimes it takes something as small as your slop breaking on a rainy day to bring you down because everything else has been building up for so long”.

Even so, Velisiwe has overcome some of these problems and found great joy this year from being part of Rhodes Music Radio (RMR). Her eyes seem to light up a she talks about RMR and she excitedly begins to talk faster. She is confident on air and has proven to be a popular DJ, news reader and reporter with shows like “Sound Bite” that works on often. “This was one thing that I really wanted. Even before I came to Rhodes I had heard about it and it sounded so awesome” says Velisiwe.

On the topic of work, Velisiwe smiles a wide and welcoming smile and gives a light giggle- “I live in the world of procrastination”, but Velisiwe’s idea of procrastination and actual procrastination are two very different things. A friend of hers, Joanna Pickering, stated that Velisiwe always has her work done on time and is thinking off assignments long before Joanna herself does. Perhaps it the fact that her A levels have prepared her sufficiently for the work that she has to undertake here at Rhodes University.

Rhodes University students notably have a reputation for partying, but for Velisiwe this has never been a big issue. She states that she has never felt the pressure to go out as often as some of the other students and says “I think I would die if I had to go out three nights in a row. I don’t know how they do it”. Even so, Velisiwe has been spotted partying at Rat in true Rhodent fashion every now and then. She just believes that everything has to be done in moderation.

Therefore, it can clearly be seen that Velisiwe, no matter how composed and confident she portrays herself is also victim to some of the hardships of first year life. Work and distance from family have all played a role in making her the person that she is today; the person who lives by the saying “never let fear stop you from dancing on the moon”.

Get with the program

Sooo...

You are wandering around the vast metropolis of Grahamstown and someone asked you to meet them at the Kaif for a smoffie so that you can talk about the guy who was baiting about the naps he had after his mare...Not understanding the lingo? Well, get with the program with this easy guide to Rhodes Slang. Once you know this, you'll know just how to converse with the strange and perplexing species known as Rhodents and you'll be well on your way to becoming one of them.

Words About "The Night Before"

Pre Drinks: Origin: The Innocent Form of Pre Drinks. The cheapest way to get party. Note to prospective Rhodes Students: you save a lot of money this way; going out chows your bank account.

Mare: Origin: Nightmare. This word refers to one of those nights that a) you don't really remember and b) you might not want to.

Naps/Napping: Sleeping over with someone and often followed by the walk of shame.

Walk of Shame: Last night's clothes, unwashed hair, smudged make up, sheepish grin...hmmm need I say more?

Pumped: To have gotten very drunk.

Union/Onion: Origin: Rhodes Student Union. Now known as the Bantu Steven Biko Building, Union, this is the place where Rhodes students flash their student cards and squeak some takkie on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Cane Train: Numerous shots of cane in creme soda. Only served at Union for R25 until 21:00.

Rat: Origin: The Rat and Parrot. Great place to watch sport, chill, drink and also having mares.

Mama Boeries/Mama Pam's: Only THE most awesome, cost effective wors rolls on the planet. Eating such delacacies at 2 in the morning is quite the treat. The stand is located outside Rat.

Friars: Origin: Friar Tuck's. Note: NO ONE calls it Friar Tuck's and they'll probably look at you very strangely if you do. It's difficult to comment on this place because few have seen the inside of it sober: a real Grahamstown mystery.

Gaol: Pronounced: Jail. Origin: The Old Gaol. Live music, chilled vibe, often known for an alternative vibe.

BP Run: Well, BP is 24 hours, so anytime of day or night you can go over to the petrol station and spend more of your limited budget on food. This is particularly popular at early hours of the morning when no other place is open.

Words about work

LOA: Origin: Leave of Absence. To become mysteriously ill and not be able to hand in your assignment on time. Note: If you go to the san for a LOA, call your “problem” diarrhea because if they check, it would be extremely uncomfortable for both parties, so it is a full proof plan.

Moodle: Older generation Rhodes students refer to Ruconnected as this.

Unbooking My Day: Origin: Unbooking meals. Not going to lectures for the whole day, often to catch up with work that you have left to the last minute.

"Lectures are optional" : See Unbooking My Day

Arb: Origin: Arbitrary. A random subject that you take for one or a combination of the following reasons. 1) You need an extra credit. 2) You want to be with your friends 3) You think its fun to "learn more" 4) You have no clue what you want out of life so you do a BA with 4 arbs.

Other words

Kaif: The coffee shop, come chill area where Rhodents congregate in free periods.

Smoffie: Origin: Smoke and Coffee. To chill and chat over a smoke and a cup of coffee.

Bait: To talk rubbish.

Chilled Vibe: Origin: Just chilling. To have a relaxing atmosphere. A get together that is not too wild, but still awesome.

Obviously this isn't all of them, but hopefully you'll be able to find your way around Rhodes and be able to converse like a local now. Have fun!

A Letter To My Younger Self

Hello there my friend,

This year has truly been a fabulous year. The meeting of new people, the partying and the residential life are experiences never done to this magnitude before. Despite this, and although you are not one to live in regret, there is an aspect that you have not enjoyed to its full potential, and therefore wish you had received advice on.

You are in a state of the unknown. The vulnerability frightens you. Therefore you will take everything as it comes. You have an open mind. You will make choices, and wish you had taken another path, and this is the case for your choice of subjects within your degree. You might ask yourself, “What is sociology? It sounds like a fun subject, and with the heavy load of journalism and law already under your belt, it might be nice to try something that sounds less demanding. Psychology? Multiple-choice exams? I’m in!” Oh if only there was someone there for you to make the right choice.

The subjects will at first amaze you. Something refreshing and pristine to your daily life. But gradually, you will learn to realize they are much like the subjects you escaped from at school. Remember how glad you were to bid farewell to geography? To your horror, many of its aspects will stubbornly return to you, unwillingly consuming your life.

Majoring in the remaining two subjects journalism and law? The thought of it is ridiculous. The challenge each subject possesses sends a wave of shivers down your spine. This however, has now become a reality, unless you are planning on a prolonged stay at this magnificent, but inevitably monotonous university.

Yours sincerely

Tom

Letter to my younger self...

Dearest Little Biscuit,

Remember when you were six and you told Mommy and Daddy that you wanted to be a ballerina when you grew up? What about the time when you were eleven and you were certain you wanted to be a pilot? And when you were fourteen, didn’t you want to be a paediatrician? Well, you made the right choice when you were seventeen saying that you wanted to study Journalism, and again when you were eighteen and decided that Rhodes was the place to do it.

What you failed to decide on once you’d packed your trunk was whether or not you were going to survive. Sure, you knew you were going to be a part of every society possible and go to every single party that took place while still maintaining your “smart girl” marks but you didn’t bet on the fact that your relationship with Mommy and Daddy (who are now collectively known as “the ballies”) would hide in the background only to re-emerge when you needed cash or a place to stay in the vacation. Your relationship with big brother will turn to a strained SMS once a week to find out how his weekend without you was or to try and explain that you’re still here for him now that his angel is gone – he actually just crashes his BMW into a pole. Your puppy, Levi, won’t be there anymore when you go home in March 2008 and when you arrive back in June the new puppy, Khola, will be able to jump right onto the kitchen counter already (she’s a Great Dane by the way).

All you need to remember is that even though times may get tough and lonely, your family is always there for you. Your parents will still love you even though you fail your first French test. Your brother will still love you even though you drank so much cane and cream soda that you threw up all over your boyfriend. Candice will still be there to shop with you for clothes once you’ve gained a few kilos – just blame it on res food. While life goes on at varsity as well as at home, you’re still a part of it and missed dearly.

With love, Little Biscuit,
Big Biscuit

Back to the past...

Hi there little one,

I know this comes as somewhat of an arbitrary and bizarre occurrence – it’s not everyday that you receive a letter from your older-self. The idea may seem a bit pointless, given that I am but a few years older than you are now. But you are about to embark on a part of your life that drastically changes both you, and your outlook on life. A couple of months on your own, adapting to university life is enough to change anyone. And trust me when I say it will change you – I’ve lived that part of your life. There will be a lot of tears. There will be heartache and anguish. Your heart will be broken. More than once. You will do stupid things that you never imagined yourself doing – things that you will not be proud of. As much as these unwanted events are unpleasant to think about, they will change you as a person, for the better. You will learn from them. The words I have given you so far are far from encouraging. They do not give you an unsullied vision of what your life is going to be like after leaving home. I am being blunt with you. There will be hard and rough times. But without the hard times, how can you appreciate the good times? Because there will be smiles. There will be laughter. There will be a fabulous group of best friends who will support you in everything you do. There will be those woeful days of PMS and hangovers that only a good Hilary Duff movie and lots of chocolate will cure. These experiences are not only necessary in the development of your new life, but also in defining the new you. This letter is not meant to aid you in anyway, but purely give you an honest view of what to expect in your personal life. University life is something you are meant to experience alone, and as pathetic as this sounds, finding who you are as a person. I guess that’s all I have to say, you goofy child you.

All the best,

Chanel

xxx

PS. The dark-haired guy from De Beers called Dave? Two thumbs up… :)

Letter to my younger self...

Hello Meg,

I chose to write to you because I know, that at this moment, you are frantically trying to cram all those notes in your head for finals and practice equations like mad for Maths. I know that you see next year at Rhodes as an escape from all of this and that you hold onto it as a reward for your hard work. I would however, like to let you in on a little secret that, had I known, would have made my life so much easier: very few relationships at university are made to last forever.

Yes, I know you’ve been with him for a while and yes, I know he’s spoon fed you words about how you are going to start a life together at Rhodes, but it is a lot harder than you think. Rhodes is a small place and you’ll see him everyday (you’re probably thinking “that’s great!”) but this puts such a strain on a relationship. I want you to know that you don’t have to be so serious at such a young age. The more serious you are, the harder you’ll be crushed when it ends.

First year is difficult- managing much more work than Matric, trying to survive on limited money and trying to maintain an intense relationship is a lot harder than people think. I want you to enjoy university and not feel as though you have to devote your years to him. Boys will fade, so build a stronger relationship with your girlfriends because, when he breaks your heart, they’ll be the ones making you coffee in your room and consoling you. You owe it to them to be the best friend you can be.

Good luck with exams and have a great time at Rhodes next year. I know you will because I have!

Yours always,
Meg