If Only Blogs Could Time Travel…

Dear Past-Nev,

I am writing this to you from the future, in the hope of helping you get through first-year more easily (even though that would be a paradox, because then I would have survived first-year with ease, and not had to write this to you!) But, time-travel technicalities aside, I thought you might want to get a few hints and secret tips (the kind that only a version of you from the future would know). So I’ll start with the basics: the most important thing in the whole experience is to (as absolutely cliché as it sounds) keep true to yourself and who you are. Things will happen, people will come and go, situations will arise and stuff will change, but you, my friend from the past, should try and stay as yourself as possible. I’m not saying that you can’t be slightly different, or grow, but just that you should always remember who you really are.

When it comes to lectures, tutorials, assignments, essays and work, take it as it comes. There will always be some form of work due, but don’t let it get to you – just as long as you don’t forget to do it! I know for a fact that you will be able to do really well in your work, just as long as you actually do it. Readings are good, lectures are important, and tutorials are vital – without them I probably wouldn’t be writing you this letter… So, try not to spend too much time watching series and movies from DC+, and you might actually get some results which will surprise you!

You are going to make mistakes – some really big ones, but don’t worry about them, because they are all part of the experience! This is why you should be yourself – half the fun of first-year is finding your own feet, but still staying true to your own identity. I guess the final suggestion I have for you is to seize every single slightest opportunity that comes your way, because I know, that you will regret not taking the chances you get – in all aspects of first-year-ness. Opportunities in all sorts of shapes and sizes – girls, work, jobs, and a whole lot more (telling you too many details would just be a spoiler and ruin all the fun of actually experiencing it!); so take them! Some of them will only come your way once, so don’t let too many slip by you…

Carpe Noctum! - Seize The Night!

Good luck – I know you’re going to enjoy what’s ahead!

Nev

To my younger, more innocent self

Dear Friend

Well the time has come for you to leave the comfort-bubble known as high school and start with the next phase of your life. A time that is so different from everything that you have known or for that matter anything that you might have expected. One of the main things that you are going to have to deal with is your new-found freedom. This may sound amazing right now and it most cases it is but there are a few down falls when it comes to gaining your independence.

You have been living at home obeying (most of the time) your parent’s rules and now suddenly you are going to be faced with nearly absolute freedom. This freedom is amazing-you can decide when you are going out, with whom and where you are going. One of the best things about Grahamstown is that you don’t have to bother about getting lifts to places; you really can just walk everywhere which makes going out so much easier.

The only downfall to this new independence is Wednesday nights. Yes you know that you have a lecture in first period and its one that you can’t miss but the lure of the Union/rugby/Rat is too great and plus all your friends are going out as well. I’m not discouraging you to go out-I have, and have had to live with the Thursday morning consequences- all I’m saying is: be warned. If you think that your hangover was bad after that one particular 18th then think again because words cannot describe what it feels like to sit in a lecture with a hangover.

You might think that it’s a great idea to see how much tequila you can manage in one night but save that for Friday night when you can sleep in the next day and don’t have to try and concentrate on a lecture the next morning.

I hope that you are excited as I am about you coming here. I can’t wait for you to get here.

See you soon.

Tessa

3 things you should know

My naive friend,

Your dreams of all party and no work are about to be shattered. After all the craziness of o-week you realize that university isn't all about play (unfortunately), but it is still a big part of Rhodes life. Here are three guiding points: things you should know before your journey starts; be prepared.

1) The three fatal ingredients to steer clear of if you really want to avoid first year spread. It’s no joke, don’t be fooled! Firstly, ‘toast’ is not just a cooked piece of bread, it becomes a social dining hall activity and filler when res food disappoints (so in other words you eat it every day). Note: even though the toaster flattens your toast like Melba, the thin appearance is an illusion. You’ll eat three times as much. Secondly, Pirates pizzas are the devil. Not only are they devilishly delicious, they often become your fourth meal after going out. Then of course there is ‘the BP run’ where their fresh, scrumptious but tiny and overpriced pies call your name as you walk out Friars at closing time, especially because everywhere else is closed. Toast, pizza and pies will have you rolling into second year with a few too many extra kg’s.

2) “Naps” – i.e. staying over in a guy’s rez, may seem like a good idea after a night out, but the next day you will have to face the walk of shame. If, however, you do have Naps, then try not to find a boy who lives on the hill, it’ll be a long walk there but seem even longer the next morning. Smuts boys are also said to be avoided.

3) Stock up on liver pills, Panado and Rehydrat. When reality hits you on the head (literally) the next morning, they’ll help you survive a day of lectures. Remember, after you’ve skipped one lecture it easily becomes routine – don’t go losing your DP!

Your now wiser buddy,

Jen xox

Yes, there is a degree to think about too

Dear newbie at Rhodes

Welcome to the world of university! A little bit of a shock, I would imagine, being in a new environment and not knowing anyone but one person from your high school, whom you didn’t say more than two words to, and who lives on the opposite side of campus. Not to worry as this will be the first year, and hopefully the last if all goes well, of the best years of your life.

Don’t get too ahead of yourself as this year does not come without its struggles; the first one being the choosing of subjects. “Don’t be fooled!” is all I can say. During O-week there are several lectures held, one for each subject, and this is when the lecturers lure you into theirs, telling you that it will be the most beneficial to your life. This is a lie… Take what they say into consideration but the best way to find out about a subject is to ask the previous first years to tell you about them and make sure you look at their text books and notes. Also bear in mind that two of the subjects you choose will have to be your majors so don’t just take subjects that you might enjoy or that you want to do for a year and then drop. Find four definite potentials and if possible make classics one of them, it’s a two year major…score!

Well now that the most important matter, your degree, has been discussed, the rest is up to you. I could go through every parent’s list of things not to do, like don’t drink and don’t party if you’ve got work to do, but you’ve heard it all before and who sticks to those rules anyway. The best thing to do is just have fun… and pass, then all the other stuff doesn’t matter.

Yours sincerely
Miss Crunked