Introspective, Outrospective, Retrospective.

“So, what have you learnt from your experiences in this course?” is what I’m trying to ask myself, writing my first ever proper “Reflexive Piece”. It’s quite a loaded question if you think about it – no straight answer to that! I guess I’ll have to try and come as close to an easy-to-understand answer as possible. Because for me, as much as this course was centred around the theory of narrative and genre, and journalism in new media in general, being a group-work assignment, it also taught me much more than just that. It opened my eyes to my own abilities and showed me how strong and successful a good team can be.

Much of the formulation of our blog was centred on planning from the perspective of teamwork, and scheduling which would enable us to work together successfully enough to bring the blog in fruition and success. Initially, I found the prospect of working in a team in which all the other members are girls quite daunting and intimidating, simply because I know how tough it can be to work with some (defiantly not ALL) girls. Luckily, the group I had been placed in was made up of girls who did not fit this generalisation at all. Planning was the key factor which held the group together, especially in terms of formulating a basic idea for our blog and its theme, as well as later on producing the actual stories to be published on the blog. Although sometime ideas and opinions might have clashed, I feel that what we ended up with was a well-rounded, well-formulated, and attractive blog with quality articles being posted. I am proud to say that our blog came second in the competition between the blogs of the first year Journ blogs.

In the beginning, I felt that our productivity and freedom of expression (even within journalistic limits) was slightly cramped due to our blog having to conform to certain standards set by the Department of journalism and the other blogs being posted. However, we quickly grew accustomed to the form and style that was expected of us, and succeeded in publishing, and commenting on, the issues we wished to discuss, or chose to examine on our blog. Many of these stories and their ideas were relatively easy to formulate and come up with, since they were almost pre-dictated by the theme and personality we decided to give our blog. All the issues involved with surviving the “Sotally Tober” side of First Year were perfect for discussion. I believe we chose an appropriate theme, since it enabled us to engage with issues which others would be too afraid to raise, to relate to, and attract the actual first year population at Rhodes, as well as other Universities worldwide, and still produce journalism with value and literary worth.

At tutorial meetings, as well as our own team-meetings which we privately arranged for ourselves, our team worked together to bring what we thought were the most important issues and aspects of the things being discussed, and the relevance to our blog in the best way possible. Not knowing what to expect when we were given the brief for the initial blog plan, I was surprised by the focus of the members of my group which helped us formulate a clear picture of what we were expecting from our blog. In terms of my personal input and growth at these meetings, I offered the most I could, hoping that my computer studies classes back in high school would come in handy, since the blog would be purely internet-based, and would need to be well formatted and attractive, as well as functional, interesting, and entertaining. Luckily, I was fortunate and my basic past experiences with simple html-editing and internet and website control and creation, turned out extremely handy and helped us a great deal in achieving the look and function we desired the blog to have. I believe that my personal input and growth was substantial and greatly helped the blog get to where it finally is today, and was an important part of the experience I gained from this course in new media.

However, this course, being new and completely different from the courses we had previously done in other semesters in journalism and media studies, did raise certain doubts and questions among members from both my tutorial group as well as blog group. Questions such as “Does this actually really count as true journalism?” began to rise very quickly. In my opinion, this course was extremely relevant and greatly important, and is without a doubt, a form of journalism. I feel that these, as well as some other forms of new media are vital parts in the evolutions of journalism. Although the new types of sources which we had not properly encountered prior, which include first year students themselves, lecturers, and mostly online media and research sources, and new forms of research, such as other blogs, polls, and large-scale interviews, were new ground for us to conquer and not only gave us a great deal of new experience, but also gave us new alternatives to the traditional forms we had initially been introduced to.

The entire experience of creating, and maintaining the blog together with my team-mates was extremely entertaining and eye-opening encounter. It gave me a completely new perspective on journalism and its newest forms, and how it is produced. I found the new course extremely entertaining and enjoyable and a great way of working together with a team which succeeded in creating a blog which I personally truly enjoy.

Well done and thanks guys!!! =)

To blog or not to blog

I missed my first lecture on blogging. No, its not because I was too hungover to function, contrary to popular belief I am not an alcoholic in the making. No, I missed it for academic reasons-I promise! The precise academic reason was a drama rehearsal. This is not, however, the point of my story. The point is when I heard that this term we had to create a blog my first reaction was to try to stop myself from throwing something. Of all the things the journalism department could have given us a course on, they had to give us one that involved computers! Please don’t get me wrong, I love my laptop as much as the next person but it (the laptop) does not hesitate to do everything I don’t want it to do, especially late at night when I have an assignment due at midnight or early the next morning. For this reason (among others) my laptop has been nicknamed the monster. Another aspect that made me want to stomp into the journalism department, sit in the foyer and yell until someone paid attention, was the fact that I am terrible when it comes to working computers. I must be one of the most technologically illiterate people I know. Friends, one in particular who sat next to me in high school when they forced us to take computers and who I turned to every time something went wrong with my computer, joke that I am cursed when it comes to computers. So, as I made the long walk up the hill to the journalism department for my first tutorial I was slightly nervous, very irritated and muttering every expletive I could think of about the journalism department.

Sitting in that first tutorial, having been divided up into groups made me no less nervous. I was no longer so irritated; rather I had that terrifying sinking feeling that made me realize how much trouble I was in. Looking back on it, I should have just taken a deep breath and realized that this is all part of the ride called university, and in particular journalism. Being afraid of something doesn’t stop you having to do it even though, for me, this meant hours of fighting with my laptop (aka. The monster), running from drama rehearsals to journ meetings and generally behaving like someone who has three assignments due the next day and hasn’t started any of them. It also meant embarrassment. The type of embarrassment that you feel when you look at photo’s (on facebook) from your last drunken night out. The embarrassment was due to the fat that more often than not I had no idea what was going on. Oh, I knew what assignments were due when and what they were supposed to be on, getting them onto my blog with photos, backlinks and all those wonderful technological things was another story.

The first time that we met as a group to make our blog look ‘interesting’ made me sigh with relief. I was not the only one who felt totally clueless about how exactly to give our blog a ‘skin’, add widgets or gadgets (whichever you prefer) and make our blog something that everyone would want to look at! Sitting in the computer labs trying desperately to apply a skin, but because the html address was written in what looked like Japanese (!) it was not possible, got me thinking about what the point of this ‘nightmare’ course was. I seriously questioned as to whether this could actually be considered journalism. Our tutors had shown us how easy it is to set up a blog-anyone can do it and they do. Soon everyone will have a blog-an online diary to share details about their live that most people won’t care about. So if blogging is a diary then it can’t be considered journalism surely? On the other hand has blogging just opened up the media to a larger group of producers? Will blogs have the same influence that mainstream media does? Will they be able to influence people’s thinking, help shape ideas and provide people with an understanding of the world in which we live?

So maybe I have to re-consider my opinion on blogging. Now that I have acquired (most of) the skills that you need to be able to blog I realize that blogging is journalism. It may not be seen as mainstream media but it is gaining more and more recognition. Despite spending hours hibernating as I struggled to finish yet another journalism assignment, despite constantly threatening to hurl my laptop out the window and despite constantly questioning myself as to whether I was doing things ‘right’ I have live through my blogging experience. It was not always easy - writing to a particular theme and in a particular style when the last thing you were thinking about was drinking. Although to be fair, drinking is never that far away in a Rhodents mind.

Well now that I have completed my last official blogging assignment and lived to tell the tale I am off to the Rat. Like I said, drinking is never that far away in a Rhodents mind.

Risky Business: Are Rhodes Students Snobs or They Are Influenced By The Gtown Environment??

Risky Business: Are Rhodes Students Snobs or They Are Influenced By The Gtown Environment??
You say that you haven’t become a snob yet you insist on using words that you then have to explain in brackets. Is this you presuming that your readers are dim-witted and won’t know what the word means or are you just trying use complex vocabulary because hey, you can. However, on the other side of the coin I believe that your Rhodes experience is what you make of it. I think that it’s a personal choice to become a snob-yet what exactly constitutes a snob? Is it knowing and caring about the problems that affect us today, is it the way we speak, is it that our world view may have changed? What ever it is I don’t think that these things make someone a snob. You become a snob when you regard yourself as superior to others simply because you may understand certain concepts or see things differently. I think that’s its always important to remember that we are in the top 2% of the world (by being at university) and a lot of other people don’t get this amazing opportunity. It’s up us to begin to fix the problems which we have created for ourselves and if this means using our ‘snobbish’ knowledge then so be it.

First Years… alcoholics? I don’t think so… or could it be a possibility?

Alcohol, every first year drinks it, and probably quite regularly too, but does this mean we are all raging alcoholics? According to Alcoholics Anonymous if you ask yes to any of their twenty questions then you have a problem. Questions like “do you drink to build up your self confidence?” and “have you ever had complete memory loss due to drinking?” may sound quite familiar to most of us.

But surely this doesn’t mean that we are all alcoholics. We don’t all need alcohol do we? We don’t reach for more in the morning, right? I was not satisfied with being classed as an alcoholic just because I answered yes to two of the twenty questions above so I took another test. This test gave me immediate feedback according to my answers and I, thank goodness, was not classed as an alcoholic anymore, however, it did mention that due to the number of drinks I have a week, or on one occasion, it is a serious risk to my health.

What does alcohol actually do to our health? We’ve all heard that it kills brain cells but apparently we’ve got so many that just a slight knock to head causes a loss of millions, so if we’ve got that many to spare who cares? So apparently being more self confident, not being able to walk straight and passing out is a bad thing; but why? These effects are caused by the alcohol getting to the main centers of our brain (now that doesn’t sound good). Did you know that women get drunk faster than men? This is because men have more muscle tissue than fat, whereas women have more fat than muscle. Alcohol cannot dissolve in fat but can in the water found in muscle and therefore it is diluted more. This means that women end up with a higher concentration of alcohol in their blood and therefore they get a lot drunker, faster. Let’s not forget the not-so-fun part of being drunk; the vomiting, due to the alcohol irritating the stomach lining and the sweating, due to increased blood flow to the skin.
This may all be true, but no first year really cares about their body when it comes to having fun (not to mention we wouldn’t be able to cope with the claustrophobic Friars without a couple of drinks). So what about the long-term effects, will they be enough to convince us? They include hardening of the liver, stomach ulcers and the one that might sway the men, decreased sex-hormone production. Oh dear, watch out boys!

Finally, we come to the penultimate of a great night out… a hangover. So how do we get rid of it because we’ve got essays to do and tests to write, which we are not willing to sacrifice a night-out for. There are many myths about the remedies for a hangover. Carrying on drinking is one of them and this definitely does not work, it just delays the inevitable. Another myth is that burnt toast is the cure. Stop putting yourself through the pain of eating that disgusting black stuff because it doesn’t work. What about the Wimpy breakfast that we all insist on having the next day? That doesn’t work either; fatty food is a prevention and not a cure so, if anything, go to Wimpy before you go out. The stuff that does actually help is fruit juice, water, eggs and bananas.

So, have we reached a decision as to whether we are all alcoholics? According to the facts we are extremely close. Students are unaware of what their binge drinking is doing to their bodies and if they do they choose to ignore it because no-one wants to be a social outcast and that is what non-drinkers are perceived to be by most students. Alcohol has become such a social norm that students don’t even know when they are abusing it. The question we have to ask ourselves is whether we are only avoiding being labeled as an alcoholic because it is seen as normal to drink and to drink often at university. I don’t think, however, that the majority of students are alcoholics despite what the facts say. Students are just having fun while they can, before life gets a little more serious.

1st years - easy target 4 seal clubbing!

‘Seal clubbing’ is when an older ‘scores’ (kisses, or anything more) a first year. It’s become quite the craze at Rhodes as it seems newcomers make for an easy target, especially during o-week where the phenomenon is at its peak.

Talking about first year guys, Kupe (a fourth year student), says “they're new to varsity and the prospect of older chicks showing interest in them is so appealing it’s almost complementary”, which corresponds with Duncan (1st year) saying “as a guy it’s always sweet to get with an older woman, kinda like bragging rights”. For boys it seems to be a thing of pride and ego boosting. Since they’re already open to the idea of being ‘seal clubbed’ they’ll embrace the opportunity making them an extremely easy target for older girls. They’re out to impress their newly made friends so anything to put them in higher status from the start is welcomed eagerly.

Girls aren’t usually looking for bragging rights, since being with an older guy is seen much more normal in society, hence the kick out of seal clubbing differs across genders. “Girls are too open to the new found freedom, and are attracted to the concept of being with an older and apparently "more experienced" man... and of course copious amounts of alcohol don't exactly stiffen one's inhibitions” says Emily (1st year). There seems to be a social mindset that it’s better for girls to go for older guys, hence their willingness when someone flatters them off their feet. They’re usually more naive to the idea of seal clubbing and welcome the attention of new people in unfamiliar territory.

Generally, most first years have come from school where their lives are largely restricted in comparison to the varsity freedom. Entering o-week, they’re keen to go wild and enjoy it as best they can. There’s a lot of socializing, partying and alcohol consumption. The naivety of it all is quite humorous to look back on, as drinking at Rhodes is way more advanced than drinking experiences through school. They can’t handle as much as they like to think so after the influence of a few too many and the exciting atmosphere, first years tend to completely forget their sober selves and run wild on the town doing things they may not usually do. They don’t know the older people yet, so past reputations don’t come into play. You could be seen as the nerdiest guy/girl around or the biggest jerk, yet an innocent first year wouldn’t have these reasons to judge so they give in to the older person anyway. They may also be a little insecure in their new life and jump towards any hint of affection.

Older girls don’t really have to charm the younger guys; the mere fact that they’ve been taken interest in by her is satisfying enough. Older guys on the other hand seem to know the perfect ways to seduce first year girls with cheesy phrases and pick up lines. Compliments like “you’re the most beautiful first year I’ve seen” can have a girl blushing in pride and seal clubbed in no time.

It is generally known at Rhodes that first years are the easy target due to their naivety and off-the rails nature upon arrival. Their inexperience and crave for attention and fun is their main weakness which allows the whole tradition of seal clubbing to continue, although for the clubbers it’s all fun and games in finding easy ways to just get some action, have a laugh or win a bet.

I Did It! I Promise!

(photo copyrighted by DeviantArt. original image at http://fc10.deviantart.com/fs12/i/2006/302/c/3/The_arch_again_by_mahleu.jpg)

Wake up at 9, only to find out that you have a Tut exercise to do for 10, or get back to Res after supper and discover through one of your friends that you have a 2000-word essay due for the next day. I’m pretty sure most of us have experienced something along those lines. The question is; what makes students at Rhodes (namely First Years) end up doing work last-minute or the day before? From personal experience, it just seems to happen – things get a bit out of control, and before you realise it, you’re staying up until 5am trying to finish an essay that was meant to have been done over three weeks. Some people try to reason that they “work better under pressure” or “had other work to do”, but we all know how it goes. All subjects have essays or projects, and we have all, at some point fallen victim to the unavoidable last-minute assignment. I, like many others have learnt the hard way, that this isn’t always the best option – especially when there is more than one assignment due for that one day. Lecturers complain about students doing work sloppily and the day before, tutors comment on students not preparing for tuts, and students believe that the workload is far too much. This issue affects all sides involved – and is more common than we think. Most of the time, its due to a late night before (whether it be partying until the early hours of the morning, watching series or movies until the sun rises, or naps somewhere), an innocent “lapse of memory”, or a genuine LOA-worthy excuse which lead to work being handed in late or just on time, and being “slack”. What many people don’t realise is that this problem has existed for much longer than any of us have been at varsity, and happens in probably every single university. I believe that its part of finding our feet as students, and that it’s an element of what university is and the life experience that we gain through coming to varsity. Pressure builds up students, and especially around the time of exams (like the one we are approaching now) people tend to become more forgetful and affected by the stress. And this in turn also leads to more sleepless nights and last-minute work. It is without a doubt, not easy to find a balance of when to do work, and when there is still space to put it off. I think it’s a learning curve that we all experience at some point, and only through the experience we gain from it, can we overcome it. In my opinion, the ever-present distant assignment is something we (as students) will never be without, and we need to get used to it. Getting in “The Zone” is quite tough, especially when it’s a Wednesday, and you know that at that very moment some of your friends are probably jamming under the air-con at Friar’s. But trust me, getting annoyed or irritated about the matter will only make it harder to deal with as a whole – I think its best to just play the deadline game, and try and get as much work done before its due date as possible. Not only does that clear the conscience, but it also means more sleep, and more time to do what Rhodents do best: party!

Good luck,
Nev

Seal-Clubbing: Sport of Sorts

Rhodes legend has it that older guys love coming back for O-week. This is because they like to be the first to spot the new ‘talent’ and take advantage. This drunken past time is known as seal clubbing and one of the first things that your house comm. tell you when you arrive for O-week is to watch out for older guys. This trend no longer seems to be a past time exclusively for males, Rhodes women seem to have got in on the trend as well. For which I say well done! If men can do it so can we.

Yet if we look at seal clubbing you will find that it happens during O-week when it is generally regarded as easy picking because, lets face it, the majority of first years spent the week in a drunken stupor. I mean, can anyone really remember any of the lectures that they went to? Did you go to any lectures? This is however beside the point. Seal clubbing is the first year trying desperately to look cool, fit in and make new friends, for the older student its all about seeing how many people they can hook-up with and seeing if they can get with the hottest person they can find on that particular night. I suppose it is a sort of sexual competition.

Yet what about the fact that women are joining (and loving) this trend? It is another victory for women or it just sad. Maybe it is as simple as another drunken night in good old Grahamstown. Everyone knows how it goes, a big night out, lots of drinks and plenty of dancing and then just like that you are hooking up with someone that you never intended to. (And more often than not these hook-ups happen under the air-con at Friars. Don’t say that you haven’t been warned!) These things happen and for the most part, it’s okay. The general rule is what happens in O-week, stays in O-week. However does this rule apply to everyone or just first years?

Personally, I think that people who go out with the intention of hooking up with as many first years as possible are slightly twisted, be they guys or girls. It’s as if it (seal-clubbing) has become a sport, just another thing for people to measure their popularity, or lack of, with. I think that the ‘legend’ of seal-clubbing makes it seem worse than it actually is. Amy Green, a first year, thinks that “seal-clubbing is pretty sad but the reality is that these things happen, so it’s not really our place to judge.”

I have a problem with people going out with the express purpose of ‘seal-clubbing.’ How sad that their idea of a good night out in O-week is getting with as many first years as possible! I guess it is the whole ‘fresh meat’ concept and this university is a small place so I guess that an influx of new talent is a cause for celebration!

Cane Train to the Rescue!

Here it is!!!

For your enjoyment, our very own, Sotally Tober web photo-comic!
http://hosted.pikistrips.com/comic_strip/s/image/28/288/528/comic-p.jpg

Enjoy!

some famous drinking quotes

Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut. --Ernest Hemmingway

Always remember that I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me. --Winston Churchill

Sir, if you were my husband, I would poison your drink. --Lady Astor to Winston Churchill
Madam, if you were my wife, I would drink it. --His reply

When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading. --Henny Youngman

Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. --Benjamin Franklin

The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind.--Humphrey Bogart

All right, brain, I don't like you and you don't like me - so let's just do this and I'll get back to killing you with beer. --Homer Simpsonre

You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on. --Dean Martin

Feeling Mumpalicious?

It seems that developing a new face is the latest trend at Rhodes, making people look like they've rapidly come about an extreme case of first year spread or have a packet of marshmallows shoved in their cheeks. Those who get it on both sides of their face are particularly unfortunate, luckily only my left cheek came victim but it's still one of the worst, most uncomfortable and painful things you can get (depending how bad it hits).


To be honest before I got Mumps I didn't really know what it was so I didn't object when the San told me I had 'ear infection' - yeah right! I was planning on having the week off lectures and being all recovered and on form for Tri-Varsity which I’d been psyching up towards for ages like you all. The week passed though and it only got worse, bed bounding me for 10 days! Clearly my immune system isn't very efficient. I was devastated to hear there isn’t a cure – you just have to take pain killers (which, believe me, are really needed! It’s PAINFUL!)

It’s spread by direct contact with saliva and discharges of the nose and throat of an infected person. No wander it’s spreading like fire, next time you find yourself standing under the air-con at Friars with a cute guy (or girl), think twice! A random score isn’t worth the days of hell to follow. Also, make sure you’re out of coughing and sneezing range, and don’t stand too close when you’re talking too people... the virus is floating around in that air gap between you and dying to dive down your throat too.
Mumps linger in your system 12-25 days before symptoms show. Don’t listen to people who say that the only infectious stage, you’re just as infectious when you’ve got a fat face until the swelling is properly gone. Don’t try function while you’ve got it, the only way to get rid of it is to sleep and let your body build up its own immunity. Unfortunately this means no partying or drinking for a while, and from experience I’ll tell you that it seems like months of not going out (especially when it’s over tri-var weekend!) But don’t be tempted, you’ll just make things worse and there are severe complications like meningitis and infertility.

Apparently the reason why so many people are getting mumps is because parents in the late eighties didn’t get their children vaccinated as rumours said it caused autism. I had the MMR vaccine, so just because you’ve had it don’t go thinking you’re safe, you’re all at risk (except me since I can’t get it again :) ). So if you’ve been an unfortunate victim of mumps, help out your friends who get it, since everyone else will be ducking and diving in all directions to avoid them. Thanks Cit for being the one brave soul to venture into my room, and those who shouted through my door or stood at the window. 10 days of hybernation get extremely boring, especially if your only communication to the outer world is 'facebook'.
If you have it at the moment, hibernate in your room, relax and take advantage of losing a few kg's while you sip on yogi sip (since you can’t chew and don’t have the appetite for anything real anyway). Catch up on all the movies and series you’ve missed out on. Be sure to avoid any acidic drinks, especially lemon juice. Of corse, if there’s anyone who’s been really mean to you or an ex-boyfriend who you’ve yet to take revenge on, make sure you talk to them, but otherwise try keep your distance. It's time to hang those party boots up, but don't worry you'll be back in the game soon and able to continue that Sotally Tober lifestyle (which is probably the reason you got mumps in the first place)!

A Typical party animal?

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
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!”

Drunk...wonder what that's like...

Rhodent. The things that come to mind when we hear this word are drunk, party, loud; just to name a few. One would never associate it with academic, doesn’t drink but still manages to come home later than most after a night out. How can anyone have fun and last a whole night without alcohol is what might be running through your mind right now. Shannon is that person, a new meaning to the word Rhodent.

Shannon grew up in Margate, a town on the South Coast where the nightlife isn’t that spectacular, especially when you’ve got parents that won’t allow you out. “My matric dance was the first time I went out during my matric year,” she said, blushing. Shannon’s dad would never let her go out before then and it showed in her marks, which consisted of nothing but ‘A’s. But is this really the life any teenager should be living?

Shannon became very shy and sunk into her academics to hide from the outsiders who had her classed as a “boffin”, the term everyone wants to avoid when in school. She came to Rhodes hoping to change herself and her outlook on life, and that she did. During O-week she went out every night, coming home in the early hours of the morning along with the rest of her new friends, friends that didn’t have a stigma attached to her. This is about the point where we all assume she goes completely off the rails. Guess again because Shannon still doesn’t drink, or at least not like most Rhodents anyway. “I just don’t like the feeling of being out of control. There’s a point where you’re happy and then after that you just become crazy and I don’t like that.” It’s true, Shannon got drunk for the first time at Rhodes on…wait for it…cane train. “I don’t think I’ll be doing that again any time soon,” she said.

So how does one avoid the peer pressure, the constant nagging from her drunken friends and the temptation? Shannon has respect for herself and knows drinking is not the way forward. “It’s not good for your health or your studies,” as she correctly stated. But university is all about having fun and she says that you can have fun with one or two drinks and if you can’t remember, what’s the point?

Going out twice, sometimes three times, a week is plenty according to Shannon and this is how she plans to go through the rest of her university career. She’s a perfect example of how, at Rhodes, one doesn’t have to fall under the category of a typical Rhodent to fit in and have a great time. Shannon, along with her recently changed image from blonde to brunette, now has more friends than she’s ever had before. She’s been out more times in the last year than she had in her whole life before Rhodes and she’s trying new things along the way, without disregarding what she believes in and what her parents instilled in her. A true Rhodent in disguise…

Mind the Gap

She climbs back into bed, propped up on pillows with loosely tied hair failing to cover the slight swelling around one cheek. Another unfortunate victim of the mumps epidemic plaguing Rhodes, yet this doesn’t mask her welcoming smile or dampen her spirits in any way.

Kerry Phillips is “a million dollar girl” as described by close friend, Julia. She’s survived the transition from a wild gap year to university and is passing her first year at Rhodes. After being brought up as a small town girl in Botswana, she bravely set off on a ‘Euro trip’ where she based herself as a stooge for a junior school in Bristol, one of England’s core cities. She experienced several places, touring Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Switzerland to name a few. “It was one big party the whole year” she says, “Rhodes is too, but you actually have to balance it with work”.

It was a battle getting back into the swing of things, “it felt like I’d forgotten how to use my brain” she laughs. Her work overseas was practical, coaching sport, helping in the classroom and completing the more tedious tasks like washing clothes for the boarders. This all helped with emotional preparation, building confidence and maturity after already having dealt with the challenges of freedom and independence. “It made me realize you actually have to work for what you want, especially through the broke times”. A night sleeping in the entrance hall of a block of flats with friends in London, penniless for accommodation and pouring rain outside, was just one of the contributing factors to this realization. Apart from the worry of empty pockets, there was nothing holding her back, but “now I have to have an end in sight, focusing towards a degree” she sighs, twiddling her thumbs.

Sniggering guiltily, she admits that she still manages to go out 3-4 times a week. Wednesday nights at Union are her ultimate, dressing up to wacky themes, boarding the Cain train and playing drinking games with the girls. Flashing her cherry coated nails she giggles her confession of having an alter ego named Marshy. According to Res mate, Cit, Marshy is “hazardous, hilarious, feisty and bouncy”. She comes out to play after a few too many and is especially stimulated by box wine, although tequila is her VIP ticket to club duvet. As for lecture attendance the next day, despite her best intentions to start going again this term, she hasn’t quite got back into the routine since the “nightmare” of O-term. Of course, mumps has her bed bound as one excuse for now, but her computer screen also keeps her snuggled up watching Gossip Girl. She does still strike the balance, however, doing well in exams and getting work done.

“Before gap year I said I’d do everything no matter what, even if I’d be just scraping through and living on bread. I did it all and have no regrets” she says, and this year has been much the same. Although she regrets some of her ‘mares’ as Marshy (e.g.drunk dialing!), it’s all added to the fun of first year. Kirsten describes Kerry as “old and wise”, having experienced life to the fullest and of course being the oldest and probably most mature (at times) of her friends, but her vivacious nature always shines through.



She’s survived many obstacles, managing to keep all her DP’s. Although marks may not make for the next brain scientist, she makes sure they stay above 50% without having to cut down on party time, making her a Sotally Tober “Absolut Rhodent”.

Can You Juggle?

“I just love partying so much that I’ve kind of had to find a way to cope with Varsity, which for me is a combo of partying, sport and studying.” Says Peter Alexander Gillespie, better known as “Alex”, “Gilsey” and even some times “Ben Stiller”, who is a first year student studying BCOM at Rhodes. Since the theme of Sotally Tober is well, “living sotally tober” and so strongly linked with partying and the social aspect of a first year at Rhodes, I thought it would be appropriate as well as interesting to find out about how a student who is really into their sports, but still parties, and survives at Rhodes. Enter Alex, Under 21s rugby player, academic survivor and twice-a-week go-outer.

“Balancing three completely different parts of life isn’t easy, but trust me bru, it’s worth it!” Alex explains to me how his average day works: waking up at 5am every morning to jog 5km, going to lectures, and then returning to Res for lunch and possibly an afternoon nap. On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, days normally only end at 3 or 4am, Alex tells me, because working and studying can only start when he gets back from rugby (or the gym, in the case of this term because the season is finished) really late. Even though he is currently not playing, Alex still makes a firm point of staying fit by cross-training in jogging and gyming. “But, since my weekdays are crap, it makes my Wednesdays and Fridays so much better!” These are the two days a week Alex allows himself to “get slightly mental”. Generally a Union-Friars person, he says that sometimes it’s also fun to check out other places such as The Rat, EQ, CaféBlanca and such. Usually, his Wednesday nights end at around 1 or 2am; and on Friday they “end when they end”.

“But the thing is Nev, we are so damn lucky to be at a place like Rhodes, and lately I’ve been appreciating it more than ever, so I try to stay on top of my work, because lets face it: we all know that some people won’t be here next year, and I don’t want to be one of them…” Everyone has (I hope!) at some point felt the academic pressures which exist here, and I can quite confidently guess, at any other University too, so I found it interesting to see how Alex survives the workload, even with all the other things which occupy his time. He laughs at me with a cheery, Ben Stiller-grin and says with an air of sarcasm, “Time management, buddy.” He explains that he works every single night and does assignments as soon as he gets them, so as not to leave them until the very last minute. I admire his dedication to his sport, and his enthusiasm which is helping him survive his first year.

Sometimes I find it hard to manage my own time, and don’t quite prioritise like I would like to, even though I has half as much as Alex has taking up my time. So I believe that Alex really is a “survivor of first year”, and that thanks to people like him I’m able to think about my own position. He’s learnt how to juggle (one of the more important talents one learns at Varsity), and through this he is living life Sotally Tober, still keeping up with academics and making time for his sport.

Respect, Alex!
Nev

Another thing us Rhodents love to do...dress up!

A Birthday to Forget

Okay, so here's my slightly shameful secret: I love birthdays. However having said that, since having my first birthday at Rhodes, I may have to re-consider my opinion. The thing I have learnt, through experience, is to not to let anyone know that it is your birthday then cross your fingers and hope that no-one finds out. Trust me, its safest that way. Well of course I didn’t keep my mouth shut. I told all my friends that my birthday was coming up and that they just had to come and celebrate with me. The night started out tame enough-a couple of people in my room for pre-drinks, a 1.5 litre bottle of wine that I was suppose to be sharing, music and laughter. It was only when I realised that there were 16 people squashed into my tiny room and that I had managed to finish off the bottle of wine, did I realise that this was not going to end well. After more drinks (where did they come from?) and lots more laughter (mostly at my expense) did we make it down to the Rat. Once there I have vague recollections of people buying me more drinks, a dash to the bathroom and sitting on the pavement outside. Apparently there was not enough air in the Rat to suit my drunken liking. At this point my friends decided it was time to take me home (I might have asked to go home-I’m not really sure). They thought it best if I was driven home but I was in a difficult mood and refused to get into the car-I’m not 100% sure how they finally got me in the car but they got me home and put me to bed. I hadn’t even made it to midnight. Needless to say, the next morning was hell. I did not know it was possible to be that hung-over and I’m a Rhodent! Three attempts to get put of bed, two panado and a large bottle of water later did I manage to face my friends. It was a night to be forgotten and next year I’m keeping quiet about my birthday in the hope that it will pass by unnoticed and pain-free. Watch out for your birthday-you may just regret mentioning it.
Party Hard!

Tess

PROUD TO BE RHODENTS!

What would we do without Sunday's?

The Sotally Tober Poem

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