Dylan van Musschenbroek is doing a balancing act. Student, Barman, hockey-player and D.J. are just a few of the aspects of this first year’s life. A large proportion of first years spend their year getting used to the demands of university-both academic and social. Dylan chose to make first year a bit more challenging for himself by getting a job as a barman at the popular local nightclub ‘Friars.’ For someone who describes himself as “quite lazy” it may come as a surprise that he chose to increase his workload. “One drunken night my mate Ryan and I decided that we needed more money to drink. We went up to the manager in friars and asked him for a job and he told us to come back on Monday” explains Dylan. Both of them retuned on the Monday, made it through training and can now be found behind the bar serving up all sorts of weird and wonderful alcoholic concoctions to Rhodents.
“Rhodents will do anything for free alcohol.” This statement seems to sum up Rhodents relatively well and its clear from the mischievous smile on Dylan’s face that his job allows him to see Rhodes at its best (or should that be at its worst?). “You see people who have to literally hold onto the bar, then those people who come and order another four shots that they don’t need and then those who will do anything for free alcohol such as flashing.” Serving students who are reputed to be the ‘the biggest drinkers’ it comes as no surprise that he often has weird drink requests. “Things that I would never think about ordering such as double cane and water and the weirdest one I have ever had is Stroh (rum) and Appletiser.”
Despite a busy working life Dylan still finds time to cultivate being a true Rhodent. “The first six months (of varsity) was just jolling, I didn’t do much work and this showed up in my June exam results.” After his June results Dylan had to change his degree from a Bachelor of commerce to a Bachelor of social science. Although Rhodes was his second choice for university he says that he can’t think about a terrible experience at Rhodes and
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from the sound of things he does not regret the decision he made in coming to Rhodes. Having a job and coping with academic pressures are difficult but according to Dylan can be done if you plan ahead. “It’s not so much about time management as time construction.” Although he does confess that he is “a last minute orientated guy” he does work hard when it is required of him.
“O-week was a big jol, I’m not gonna lie”, says Dylan as the talk turns to aspects of Rhodes life. For Dylan going out, especially during O-week, is not simply about partying and getting drunk. “It’s a chance to network, which I think is an important skill. You need to put yourself out there. Chances are if you meet 500 people you will end up with 50 new mates who will introduce you to other people.” Yet partying and “networking’ will take a toll on you. “If you wake up with a hangover go back to sleep. Sleep is the best cure for a hangover” advises Dylan.
This first year may be seen as a typical party animal but there are definitely other dimensions to him. Coping with academics, a social life, a job and sport commitments can’t be easy as Dylan found out the hard way, but from all that’s been said it seems as though he is managing to strike the balance.
Asked for advice for next years first years Dylan says: “Be yourself, don’t be afraid, get involved and have a jol!”
“Rhodents will do anything for free alcohol.” This statement seems to sum up Rhodents relatively well and its clear from the mischievous smile on Dylan’s face that his job allows him to see Rhodes at its best (or should that be at its worst?). “You see people who have to literally hold onto the bar, then those people who come and order another four shots that they don’t need and then those who will do anything for free alcohol such as flashing.” Serving students who are reputed to be the ‘the biggest drinkers’ it comes as no surprise that he often has weird drink requests. “Things that I would never think about ordering such as double cane and water and the weirdest one I have ever had is Stroh (rum) and Appletiser.”
Despite a busy working life Dylan still finds time to cultivate being a true Rhodent. “The first six months (of varsity) was just jolling, I didn’t do much work and this showed up in my June exam results.” After his June results Dylan had to change his degree from a Bachelor of commerce to a Bachelor of social science. Although Rhodes was his second choice for university he says that he can’t think about a terrible experience at Rhodes and
Profile 2
from the sound of things he does not regret the decision he made in coming to Rhodes. Having a job and coping with academic pressures are difficult but according to Dylan can be done if you plan ahead. “It’s not so much about time management as time construction.” Although he does confess that he is “a last minute orientated guy” he does work hard when it is required of him.
“O-week was a big jol, I’m not gonna lie”, says Dylan as the talk turns to aspects of Rhodes life. For Dylan going out, especially during O-week, is not simply about partying and getting drunk. “It’s a chance to network, which I think is an important skill. You need to put yourself out there. Chances are if you meet 500 people you will end up with 50 new mates who will introduce you to other people.” Yet partying and “networking’ will take a toll on you. “If you wake up with a hangover go back to sleep. Sleep is the best cure for a hangover” advises Dylan.
This first year may be seen as a typical party animal but there are definitely other dimensions to him. Coping with academics, a social life, a job and sport commitments can’t be easy as Dylan found out the hard way, but from all that’s been said it seems as though he is managing to strike the balance.
Asked for advice for next years first years Dylan says: “Be yourself, don’t be afraid, get involved and have a jol!”
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