Classes have commenced about a month ago, and, hopefully, you are having stimulating class discussions and enjoying the excitement and buzz of university life!

As you probably have experienced by now, the life of a student can suddenly become extremely busy!  You have also probably already been informed about your first assignment and test due dates, and possibly feeling a bit stressed too!  Remember, the decisions and actions you take now will greatly impact on your academic experience.

   Here are some tips that may help you during this critical time and assist you on your way to breezing through the first term:

• Get organized.  Improve your time management skills by using a diary, a weekly study time table, a term and semester planner, and a daily to do list.  Plot due dates of tests, exams and assignments and place in an area where you can monitor when these are due.  Try to beat procrastination by setting deadlines and sticking to them.

• Attend ALL your lectures.  When your alarm goes, don’t be tempted to continue to press the snooze button and sleep in.  I know it’s hard, but get up!  Need I say more…?

• Spend your “free time” wisely by being productive.  Unlike school, you may find that you have some “free time” in your university schedule, either between classes, or when your classes start later or finish earlier.  It’s tempting, especially with the great weather, to just sit and chill by chatting to friends in the cafeteria or outside on the lawn next to the pool.  But remember, moderation is key.  Use your “free time” productively by reading up on your various study subjects, do research, or work on your assignments, or study for tests.

• Use the resources on your campus.  Find out about workshops, accessing self-help material, tutors, and agencies that offer study support.  Improve your knowledge and develop skills by attending workshops offered by various agencies on the CPUT campuses, and logging onto the CPUT website to access videos on study skills support that cover topics such as motivation, study skills, time and stress management,  that will assist you in improving your self- management, and in turn, your academic performance.

• Study independently.  Use your coursework guide to plan ahead by reading for class, set goals for yourself so that you work consistently and keep up with the pace.  If necessary, develop new learning styles.

• Set goals.  Set achievable goals for yourself when it comes to your coursework, assignments, tests and exams, and work hard toward achieving them.

• Get involved on campus.  Get to know the various organizations, clubs and sports teams on your respective campuses.  It’s a great way to make new friends and learn new skills… and a great antidote to loneliness, especially if you are feeling homesick!

• Moderation is key.  You know what they say, “all work and no play…”  Seek balance in your social and academic life.  Don’t forget to make time for you.  Learn techniques that can help you relax and manage your stress.  Get enough sleep and eat a balanced diet.

• Your study space.  Find a place that works for you, be it the university library, your room at home or in residence, as long as you can avoid distractions.

• Learn to budget.  Part of being independent is learning how to manage your money, which means sticking to a budget.  Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for many students to only learn this skill when they start university, especially when they have to manage their bursary money.

• Seek help when you need it.  It’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed from time to time as a student.  You are not alone.  Professional, confidential counselling services are offered free of charge on ALL CPUT campuses.

   Make the most of opportunities being offered by various agencies that provide student and study skills support, and you will be on your way to a successful university career.  You will be equipped with knowledge, skills and habits that not only contribute to you excelling academically, but in your future career as well!  Now that’s really great, isn’t it!

Sources

http://galleryhip.com/happy-college-graduates.html

http://www.limcollege.edu/about-lim/1164_2880.aspx

http://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/health-and-support/starting-university-what-expect

http://www.quintcareers.com/first-year_success.html

“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.”  Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr 

Few things beat that indescribable feeling of reading your letter of acceptance to your favourite university!

Your journey to unlocking your wildest dreams has indeed, commenced!

It’s exhilarating to know that you hold the power to unlock opportunities to realize your dreams and carve out an absolutely awesome future for yourself!  This is, of course, also an enormous responsibility.

Yes, guys and girls, with university study comes a great deal of responsibility, and at times, even sacrifice.  On your journey you may experience peaks and valleys.  When the road becomes winding and you start to become weary, do not fret!  Help is available… all you need to do is ask!  

Just pop around to one of the Student Counselling units on your respective campuses and book an appointment with one of the student counsellors.  We are trained professionals to help you on your journey to success!  You will hear more about us in your orientation sessions held on the various CPUT campuses.

And remember; NEVER EVER lose the HUNGER to acquire new KNOWLEDGE by being an ETERNAL student!!!

So go on, DARE to dream BIG!!!

Oh, and, yes, there is one thing that beats the feeling of being accepted to your favourite university… achieving your goals, especially after you have worked exceptionally hard!!!

“The only failure is not to try”.  George Clooney

All the best

Sources:

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/g/georgecloo174782.html

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/o/oliverwend109160.html

http://healthythoughts.in/2012/12/12/motivational-inspirational-quotes-thoughts/imagine-believe-achieve/

  The “silly season” is upon us and it’s time to press the pause button…

This season conjures up images of sun and surf, balmy nights, long lazy strolls along the beach, sipping cocktails and sun downers (watch out for the alcohol content, though!), chilling at a braai with family and friends, cooling down in the pool, frolicking in the waves, or for those feeling more adventurous, throw on a rucksack and don your takkies to explore the beautiful sights the Mother City has to offer, or if you feel the only exercise you would rather have is doing absolutely nothing, except stretching for the remote control… uhmm… pure bliss!!!

Since alcohol is used in many cultures for various celebrations, this season will be no different.  Since drinks come in a variety of shapes and sizes, there is a great deal of misperception around how much alcohol is consumed, so do keep the following in mind while enjoying your alcoholic beverage.

According to South Africans Against Drunk Driving (SADD), one unit of alcohol comes to 0.02g in your blood, or 0.10mg in your breath.  In South Africa, the legal limit is a breath alcohol content (BAC) of 0.24mg per 1,000ml, or a blood alcohol limit of 0.24mg per 1,000ml, or a blood alcohol limit of 0.05g per 100ml – which is something every motorist should seriously heed (Automobile Association of South Africa). 

So how long, exactly, does alcohol stay in your blood?

According to the National Health Service (NHS), on average it takes approximately ONE HOUR for the body to break down ONE UNIT of alcohol. 

However, factors such as your gender, age, weight, how much food you have eaten with the alcohol, the type and strength of the alcohol, your drinking pattern, chronic alcohol consumption, and medications, are factors that can all influence BAC (MedicineNet.com; NHS). 

Since the liver is the body’s major metabolic organ, and the primary site for alcohol metabolism, this could take much longer if your liver is not functioning normally (MedicineNet.com).

So whether your drink of choice is beer, cider or wine, do keep in mind the units of alcohol per drink.

So, no matter how you will be spending the “silly season”, enjoy every minute of well-deserved down time, and do drive carefully, and stay safe.

Happy holidays!!!

PS:  While we are celebrating the festive season, our dearly departed colleague, Dr Abie De Villiers and his family, will be in our thoughts and in our hearts. 

Sources

Automobile Association of South Africa (AA)

http://www.aa.co.za/about/press-room/press-releases/drinking-and-driving-  what-is-over-the-limit.html

MedicineNet.com

http://www.medicinenet.com/alcohol_and_nutrition/page2.htm

National Health Service (NHS)

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/853.aspx?CategoryID=87

South Africans Against Drunk Driving

http://www.sadd.org.za/education/units-of-alcohol

http://www.picgifs.com/graphics/christmas-flowers/

http://www.emme-magazine.com/2013/08/11/calorie-bomb-cocktails/

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/alcohol/Pages/alcohol-units.aspx

http://www.drinksmarter.org/handy-tools/unit-calculator

  Let’s face it, there’s something festive about fireworks!

Guy Fawkes also known as Guido Fawkes (1570 – 1606) made history in the 1600s (which you are welcome to research on your own), and, fast-forward to today, celebrations with fireworks still take place on November 5… which happens to be around the corner!

However, this time of the year also coincides with many a stressed out student writing their final exams.  Any attempt to cram in a few more facts, or catch forty winks prior to writing their exam, is extremely challenging when having to compete with deafening bangs and shrieks of laughter as firecrackers are set off, which often sound as though its taking place on one’s doorstep or just outside your window!

In addition, these fun filled festivities often take place prior to 5 November, and it is not uncommon for it to continue for a few days after, too!

Apart from the tired student whose exams are often scheduled back to back, there is also great concern for the four legged species, especially during this time of the year.  You see, a dog’s hearing is extremely acute, as dogs can hear at frequencies higher than the human hearing range (the human hearing range is from 20cps (or 20Hz) up to 20,000cps (or 20kHz), while a dog’s hearing range goes from 40cps (40Hz) to 60,000cps (60 kHz). 

   So, as you can well imagine, as mom to two, furry, four-legged babies, this time of the year can be extremely traumatic (as I’m sure many dog owners would know), especially since dogs are often scared and panic stricken in the midst of all the festivities! (See website below for some tips on how to keep your dog safe during fireworks).

So if you are planning your celebration with fireworks, do take the necessary precautions, and think of students facing finals and the four legged species by sticking to designated firework areas such as the beach or sports field (see website below for designated firework areas in Cape Town).

Enjoy…

Sources

http://www.ualbertastudentblog.ca/2013/04/19/dealing-with-that-pile-of-stuff-you-have-to-do-that-makes-you-feel-a-little-panicked-and-kind-of-frantic-so-your-titles-get-really-long/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunpowder_Plot

http://blog.puppyanddogcare.com/whats-the-difference-between-a-dogs-hearing-and-human-hearing/

http://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/is-your-dog-affecting-your-fourth-of-july-plans

http://www.islandpacket.com/2014/07/10/3205728/scared-dogs-flee-fireworks-some.html

http://blog.puppyanddogcare.com/whats-the-difference-between-a-dogs-hearing-and-human-hearing/

How to keep your dog safe and at ease when the fireworks start by Cesar Millan

http://www.cesarsway.com/dogbehavior/hyperdog/How-to-Keep-Your-Dog-Safe-and-Calm-During-Fireworks

Fireworks celebrations

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/FireAndRescue/Pages/Fireworkscelebrations.aspx