First day of my last year

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen

I am a final year. It sounds strange to say it out loud, but this year I am finishing my degree!

Now, seeing the first years all confused and running around like headless chickens, is strange. The university has become like a second home. I know every shortcut, every strange path and roads less traveled.

The first day of university was crazy. There were queues EVERYWHERE: At the gym, the bookstores, the banks, the bursary offices, you name it and there was a queue! So, my advice is: go to class and nowhere else for the first few days or get everything done beforehand.

And... just to make it all worse, it was raining cats and dogs! It was coming down by the gallons and streams were flowing everywhere. Luckily, I had my cute gumboots on.

My awesome boots!

I could walk just where I wanted, without getting wet. It was a good start to my day.
It also seems that all my lecturers are very nice, except for the ones who already gave us work (Just joking, they are cool too).

Today was also the first day I started my work at the Reading Labs*. It went very well and the people are very down to earth.

Today went quite well! (Touch wood)

*Reading Labs: it is a compulsory reading course for first years, to help their reading skills and get them up to university standards.

Eager beaver for holiday jobs

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen

"Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who's the poorest of them all?"
"Students!"

I never understood it when people said that students are the poorest of them all, up until I became one of them. Counting change has become a common habit between me and my friends.

I am not a lazy person and I love to earn my own money. I had been doing holiday jobs, since I was 16. My first holiday job was at my baby sister's daycare. I had to look after kids between the ages of 6-10 years old. I was responsible for their holiday program and looking after them.

I am currently working in retail at a shoe shop. It is hard work, but I keep telling myself that it is good money to help out with my studies.

I also occasionally babysit a couple's daughter. She is a real sweetheart and she is not difficult when it comes to bedtime. In fact, when she's tired, she climbs in bed. She doesn't need bedtime stories or lullabies. She just sleeps.

This past September holiday, I worked at a festival called Aardklop. It is a Afrikaans music and culture festival. It was the most fun job I ever had. We also met a lot of local stars. See the photo above of me and Matthys Roets.

Next year, I am starting to work at my university's Reading lab. This reading lab is set in place for first year students to learn to read. The shocking thing is that people can't read anymore. This reading course is compulsory to all the first year students. You have to pass the subject, in order to get your degree. I will just be an assistant in these reading labs. I am very excited!

With these holiday jobs, I have paid for a lot of things, including a French tour to Paris.

The things that university guides will never teach you

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen

I am a third and final year Communication student and in my 3 years at university, I have learned some things. There is no guide on what to expect when going to university, you sometimes have to learn by falling face first in the ground and then learn how to stand on your own two feet again.

I asked some friends and family to contribute with the things that they have learned at university, as well. Here is the list:

1. Nobody cares about the marks you got in high school, you are at university which means you are clever. (Jana) 
2. You learn that school was fun and games (Ruan)
3. Hard work really pays off (Ruan)
4. You learn to social (Ronel)
5. You also meet your best friends and who the people are that is always there for you (Ronel & Ruan)
6. You realize what subjects you really love, but still have to have the bad ones with it. (Karen)
7. Nobody cares, but if you find someone that does care: HOLD ON! (Ena)
8. It's the experiences that teaches you something at the end of the day (Mart-Mari)
9. There is no degree like a spine. Just keep on going and finish! (Ronel)
10. You'll learn dressing up is cool.(See photos above)
11. It is every man for themselves. No one will buy you free drinks, unfortunately.
12. Having a bucket list is necessary!
13. Know the titles of your lecturers, for example Dr. Blah Blah. They believe that their titles has contributed to society and they are utterly important. 
14. Alcohol is a solution. Scientifically speaking.
15. Fitting in is so 'high school' ago.
16. Yeah, it sucks doing the laundry, the dishes, making your own food and cleaning the house. Your parents are actually cool.
17. Alcohol resolves everything, except your problems. 
18. Time is precious and you should use it wisely.
19. Falling in love is not easy. But it's even harder to fall on the pavement.
20. You'll learn to eat 2 minute noodles in a thousand ways. 
21. You measure the cost of everything, by the amount of drinks you could have bought. 
22. 50% is the new 80%. Plot twist: You're not as smart as you thought.
23. Procrastination teaches you that you can do amazing things within a few hours. 
24. Cheating in tests and projects is not so cool or smart, it just shows that you're an idiot and will earn you no respect from your 'friends'.
25. Wearing pajamas is totally acceptable clothes to wear on campus, except if you have a onesie; wear that instead.
26. First years are recognizable by the fact that they try to look good at 8 in the mornings. You give up after a year.
27. Do stupid things! You won't get the chance again, because responsibility starts after university.
28. You are only young once. Carpe Diem. YOLO! Enjoy university life and stop worrying!

These are the things that my family, friends and I have learned in our university journeys. If you have learned some other things; please share them!

This is the official 101 guide to university!