Don't you sometimes wish for a day for every day?

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen

Exactly at 11:11, I made a wish. A wish that there is a day for every day.

You are probably gonna hate me for making this particular wish. Damn you person for making such a wish! Is a year not enough for you??

But I certainly need a day for every day! What do I mean by that? By that I mean that for every Monday, I need another one. For every Tuesday the same, etc....

Why? Would you ask. Well, because my workload is a lot and I am struggling to keep head above water. I am usually 'til late busy with academic work. It takes me the whole day to complete my work, which must be handed in next. The days are flying past like tennis balls being shot out of the machine.
But after my day is done, I haven't made time for the people in my life and therefore I need a day for every day, so I can get the chance to spend it with them!

Maybe I need time manage. Maybe I need to sleep less. Maybe maybe maybe.
But this is my wish, which will not be granted. So stop hating me for my wish and chill! Life is short, enjoy the days. They go by so fast.

I am officially a graduate!

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen 

I am a graduate.

I am a graduate!

I AM A GRADUATE!!!!!!!

The idea is only sinking in now, since I officially have my degree in Communication and Languages! These 3 years have been hard, but extremely amazing, as well! All the hard work, the late nights or the nights with no sleep at all, the calls to my mom in tears, the partying with my friends, going out even though there is still work to be done, the last minute running to give in a project on time: it has all come down to this day. The day that I have GRADUATED! But believe me, without all the amazing people in my life, I would not have been able to achieve it!

   

My amazing friends, who won't even let me be silly alone, because they wanna join

There must always be a balance in your life, otherwise you will go batsh*t crazy, so to my friends, thank you for ensuring that I have a social life outside of all the academic work! You make life worth while and fun.

My group. We achieved so much together in our studies and projects

We cried together, we laughed together and we motivated one another through the 3 years of studies! We achieved a third place in one of our campaigns last year, because we made an excellent team! I am so proud of them and so glad we could all graduate together!

My amazing and beautiful parents

My parents are the people, who made it all possible! I am infinitely grateful to you and everything you have done over the years! You guys are my motivation and my inspiration!!!! Thanks for always being there and supporting me through everything! YOU ARE AMAZING AND ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! 

My gorgeous grandparents

They are my No. 1 supporters! My grandpa, grandma and my Aunt Debbie, Ronel, Anton, Wynand and Leon, thank you for everything! I am really grateful for your support! 

Without my friends and family, I wouldn't have been able to do this by myself! So, I am sharing my degree with all of you!

Time, precious time...

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen

Some people never have it, others have too much on their hands and others never make it and others are never on it. What can it be?

TIME, OH PRECIOUS, PRECIOUS TIME!

Many of my friends are in relationships, but mostly not in happy relationships. Why? Because they never have time and their significant others never make time. Catch 22 much?? How can you expect the other person to make time, if you never make time yourself? YOU HAVE TO MAKE TIME.

Lately, I have realized how precious time really is. Most of my friends don't want expensive gifts or surprises everyday from their lovers. They only want their precious time! But how do you make time if you never have time?

YOU MAKE IT:

• Get up earlier and buy/make coffee for your lover before his/her day starts.
• Do homework or projects in the company of one another, at least you can see them then.
• Ask them which classes they have and show up early and surprise them. Even if it is for 5 minutes only
• Make food together or go and eat together. You have to eat so might as well do it with your lover.
• Prioritize and plan ahead so you will be able to make time.

There are so many ways to make time to see the precious people in your life and to make spend it with them. Life is short and we should prioritize so we have time for the things that really matter. 

Romance was murdered

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen

News just in: Romance was murdered this morning when he was getting off the high-way. One-night-stand, laziness and Alcohol shot him through the window. He was trying to make his way to Effort and Time (his family). The people responsible have not been caught yet. It is a sad time for all the single people out there. His funeral will take place on the 14th of February.

Or could the loss of Romance be blamed on Cupid, because he is always drunk? And forgot all about his duties? Like protecting Romance, Time and Effort? He will be taken in for questioning for failing to do his duties and also for FUI (Flying Under the Influence).

Romance was totally murdered. Maybe, it's the era that we're living in or maybe it's the phase of our lives, which we're in? I have no idea, but where are the flowers, the going on dates, the getting to know one another, the excitement when the person messages you, the late-night phone calls?
Because I have not experienced it! Maybe it is an ideal that is painted by movies, but I don't want to believe it.

The other night when I was out with friends, a guy came up to me and asked for a dance. During this dance, I accidentally stepped his toe. He then demanded that I give him my number, to make up for his sore toe...

No, sonny boy! If you made the effort to talk to me, then maybe you would've gotten my number. I tried to make conversation, but all I got was shrugs... Maybe if you took the time to even ask my name, I would've wanted to talk to you. I should've stepped on your other toe, as well. Too bad I didn't.

I am not saying that guys alone should do all the effort, girls should also take time and put effort into relationships. I truly believe in equality. Guys and girls should pay for dates. Guys and girls should really put effort into relationships. But where has that effort gone??? Maybe murdered along with romance. Or maybe Cupid tripped and fell on effort and he is suffering from brain damage and Cupid refuses to do anything about it...

Whatever it may be: I will find someone who will try to bring back the romance, effort and time to get to know me. Maybe this person will put Cupid in rehab and get him sobered up, so he can continue to do his duties.

The importance of time

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen

I never understood the importance of time or what you can do in the time that you have, until I went to university. Miracles did happen!

Never in my life did I imagine to have 10 projects to be done in a week, but then the reality of university struck me. Sometimes one does try to prepare for the hectic week ahead, but as luck would have it, it is not always possible.

My roommate didn't have so many projects, but she had a lot of tests to prepare for. She said I am crazy to study Communication and Afrikaans, because it is hectic. Not difficult, just HECTIC!

I have typed like Speedy Gonsalez on projects, which I was only able to start the night before. 5000 word research papers are not funny to research and type in one night, but I did it. My roommate had her giggling fits,because I wake up a bit late in the mornings and then I scream and run around like a headless chicken, just to finish the project on time.

My roommate and I at the RAG-farm

I made a new '8 hour' rule for each and every day. I have 8 hours per day to work really hard, then I have 8 hours to socialize with my friends and do something else, and then I allow myself 8 hours of sleep each night. This has been working quite well for me. I suggest every student should try and live by these rules.
The 8 hours I try to spend with my friends, I really take seriously, because I believe a balance in one's life. No matter how busy or hectic, I will always make time for my friends.

I have made miracles happen with projects to get them done, but I also learned how to manage my time and get to spend with my gorgeous friends.


Please feel free to leave a comment :)

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!