SEPTEMBER 2016
SP
NR. 1 (12)
FORMÄ€TS The monthly newsletter of Turiba University's Student Council
TER
NATIONAL
Hello in September Editor: SIGNE SENE
Hello dear readers! Three wonderful, sunny, energetic months have passed and I truly hope that every single one of you has had a great summer, but now it`s September again and here we are – at the beginning of a new study year. A lot of people aren`t very joyful when September comes because they are too much in love with summer. They love endless holidays, warm weather and not thinking about studying. But actually September is a great month! You start new study cycle and get more experienced with every day! Of course, sometimes it can be a little difficult, but if you never have any difficulities, you will never know what you can and can`t do. Without problems you will never know your limits and what you can do. New study year means new responsibilities, study papers, early mornings and sometimes even sleepless nights. However, it also means new experiences, opportunities, friends and colleagues. If this is your first year, then new study year in a new city and new country means even more, maybe even a new period in your life, so start big! Do everything you can to get the best out of not only September, but all study year! So, have a great first month of your first, last, second or third study year, enjoy everything and use every possibilty to learn and
Photo: from SIGNE SENE personal archive
experience something new. The world is full with good things for those, who go out and try to find them. You only need to start searching and loving every bit of your life, even if it is September
and you have to wave goodbye to sunbathing all day long in a beach. Have a great September! Best wishes, Signe
2
How to get over summer? Editor: SIGNE SENE
First month after summer can be difficult, especially first few days. If you have had wonderful summer, where you have forgotten what is an alarm clock, even getting up can be a challenge. Here's how to avoid too much shock and ease back into productivity mode. Start your day right: well-rested and with a good breakfast Whatever your habits were over the vacation, the first day back will be a lot less stressful if you've gotten a good night's sleep and have prepared everything you need the next morning so you're not rushing and can actually get something to eat. Worse comes to worst, you can make an egg in a mug in a minute, miso soup or shake up some oatmeal in a jar. Get some stretching and other exercise in if you can. It's time to wake up and get back in the game!
Photos: from internet resources
Plan your day and week If you've got a few precious extra minutes of your day to yourself, use it to get organized and prioritize your tasks. Choose the most essential things you need to do and put them on your list, and schedule less urgent ones throughout the week. If you can delegate tasks, all the better. For school success, creating a study plan and routine at the start of the semester is crucial. Use a planner or online calendar like Google Calendar not just to schedule all your classes, but also carve out your study times and project due dates, referring to your course handouts. This organizing part can get you back into the work or studying mindset and even get you excited for the rest of the week or year.
Start with small stuff you can check off If you're still feeling like you're only there in body, get a jump start by tackling just one small task. First have a list of tasks you want to accomplish for the day, and make sure there's an easy (but still important) task on there at the top. Something as simple yet critical as following up with a contact on something discussed before the break works. There's nothing as invigorating as checking something off your list. For students, your small tasks at the start of the year may be just to get oriented. Attend your first classes. Read the syllabi. Make sure you've got all the supplies and books you need (or make the notes and preparations to get them). You're off to a good start.
3
How to get around in Riga? Editor: SIGNE SENE
A new study year has begun and probably a lot of you are in Riga and Latvia for the first time. Although Riga isn`t extremely huge, it would be good to know, how the public transportation system works. If you aren`t quite sure, how and with what get from university to some place in Riga, here is a little insight about public transports in the city.
Photos: from internet resources
it will cost you €2. Passengers have a wide variety of ticket options including tickets for one (€1.15), two (€2.30), four (€4.60), five (€5.75), 10 (€10.90) and 20 (€20.70) rides or tickets good for one (€5), three (€10) or five (€15) days of travel.
as they’ll basically stop anywhere along their routes to pick up or drop off passengers causing delays and traffic jams. Pay the driver the fare, which varies depending on the route. In the summer a so-called retro tram is also available on Saturdays and Sundays. The open-air tram supposedly looks like the first trams that began zipping up and down Riga's streets over a hundred years ago. Pay the driver €2 (kids under 7 free) to travel from the Ausekļa iela stop to Mežaparks.
The tickets are valid for trams, trolleybuses and city buses. Press the ticket against the electronic ticket readers on the bus or tram as soon as you board the vehicle. The green light will flash and the display will show you how many more rides are left on the card (e.g. Atlikums: Read more about routes and exact 9). departure times in English on the You can also take a mikroautbuss or Riga Transport Authority’s website mikriņš, passenger vans that list www.rigassatiksme.lv.
Riga has nine tram lines, 19 trolleybus routes and 53 bus routes that operate from as early as 05:00 to as late as 01:00, depending on the route. You can buy €1.15 tickets at designated Riga Transport (Rīgas Satiksme) ticket offices, at public transport ticket machines or at Narvesen newsstands, post offices their destinations and route and Rimi supermarkets. You can numbers on their windscreens. also buy a ticket from the driver but They are a scourge to urban transit
4
Tips for staying healthy during Autumn Editor: SIGNE SENE
During the change of seasons, everyone can get ill really fast. And if you are coming back to university and meet new people, all the bacteria floats around even more and the chances for getting ill, gets even bigger. So here are few tips, how to help your immune system and avoid the annual Autumn cold. Always buy food in season. With the arrival of the new season, now is the time to change your diet! Embrace all tasty foods that Autumn offers. Enjoy fresh pumpkins, carrots, yams, winter squash, potatoes, beets, apples, pears, elderberries and even cranberries! One thing that will surely help your immune system is garlic – a very common weapon against cold in Latvia. Eat your autumn colors!
Photos: from internet resources
plenty of fresh water, eat plenty of alive (living) raw foods, garlic, lysine, probiotics, Vitamins B, C and D, E3 Live, zinc, propolis and honey. Another powerful way to boost your immune system and keep strong is to use the power of gentle exercise.
swim, go to the gym or find a dancing class! This Autumn, get yourself organized so that you are well prepared for the coming winter months. Find an enjoyable way to gently move your body, so that this year you keep yourself fit and healthy.
Embrace gentle movements.
Live aligned with the season.
In summertime, it's so lovely to spend time outside. For many, this sunny weather allows them to move their body naturally, using gentle movements such as walking on the beach. But, don’t let cooler temperatures stop you from moving your body! Far too many people stop exercising and spend more time doing sedentary activities indoors. One way you can keep moving during the cooler season is to bring your activity inside: bounce on a rebounder, do yoga at home, get a yoga swing,
As the season shifts, give yourself permission to make different choices and changes in your lifestyle. The shorter days and longer nights are the perfect excuse to take the time to really look after yourself. Use this Autumn as an ideal time to hibernate, giving yourself time for you. Spend time relaxing at home, wrapped up with a hot water bottle, wearing your favorite pajamas and enjoying early nights. Watch movies, drink chai tea, or start writing that book you’ve always dreamt about writing.
Autumn is the season of warm, earthy colors; think deep greens, dark yellows and brilliant oranges. When you eat foods that are rich in these colors, you are absorbing the vibrational energy of the earth. Fall foods are vibrant, colorful and nourishing. One rule of thumb is that the more colorful the fruit, the better it is for your health and your immune system. Boost your immune system. With the changing season, now is the perfect time to boost your immune system. Some of natural immune-boosters are: to drink
5
“SP Formāts International” needs you! Editor: SIGNE SENE
Do you like writing? Maybe you are quietly dreaming of writing a book or are studying journalism right now? If your answer to one of these questions is yes, then come along and write for “SP Formāts International”, we would love to have you on our team!
The edition was originally designed for those students who have arrived to study in Latvia for the Erasmus (or other) exchange programme, so they could learn more about the on-going student life in the university, to get to know Latvia and other students, as well as to be aware of the latest “SP Formāts International” is a information meant for them. project of the Students’ Council, which was created by the The newsletter is made every development of the Students’ month and trying to cover all Council’s informatively entertaining information which is important to monthly newsletter “SP Formāts “. international students and offers Editor: Signe Sēne Correspondent: Signe Sēne Desktopper: Kr istīne Šņepste Design: Sandijs Br īze In the case of publication permission from Student Council of Turiba University is required. In case of citation reference of „SP Formāts International” is required. Publisher: Student Council of Tur iba Univer sity, C218, Gr audu str eet 68, Riga, phone: +371 67607750
Photos: from internet resources
some enertaining or informational articles as well. Every month in “SP Formāts International” you can find interviews with lecturers, students and people from Students` Council, articles about upcoming event, reviews about events from last month, articles about Latvia, different cultures and useful tips on various topics. If you feel the talent of a writer in yourself or just want to try your hand in the work of a journalist,
then is your opportunity! Apply and become a member of the “SP Formāts International” creative team! Dare to reveal yourself! To apply, write to this e-mail: sene.signe@gmail.com
6