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”.

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!