NMMYou February 2016

| News for the students, by the students |

L&E

NEWS

03

Overcoming Summits

06

04

HOME SWEET HOME, NOT SO?

healthy during 08 Staying hectic schedules

Beyond the classroom experience

SCIENCE & TECH

11

Top tech tips and tricks for students at NMMU

SPORT

12

NMMU Cheerleaders are in it to win it

13

Summer review

FIRST YEAR SURVIVAL GUIDE

Image sourced from vouchercodes.co.uk

By Arantxa Mathapersadh From sitting in the wrong lecture venue, to having a desperate smoke before a semester test, senior NMMU students got personal when asked to share their first-year horror stories to help prevent their fellow peers from making similar mistakes. So chin up first years, because we have five tips that will make your year a little easier.

TIP #1: DON’T FALL INTO THE ROUTINE OF BUYING FOOD FROM THE KRAAL EVERYDAY The food looks and smells good, but half way into the semester and your wallet will be looking a lot thinner than the thighs you’re squeezing into your favourite pair of jeans. Third year BA Media, Communications and Culture (BA MCC) students, Kayleigh Bouwer and Lwandile Mngonyama, joked about the temptations of the Kraal during their first year. Lwandile offered her advice by encouraging students to “stay away from the samoosas”.

TIP #2:MANAGE YOUR TIME Research, plan and organise. What’s important is that you find a strategy that suits you and then implement it. Most students agreed that first year students tend to get caught up in the hype of university, but it is not a party. “Always stay on top of your work.

Don’t let your gaps fool you,” advised one third year student.

Term 1 | February 2016

TIP #3:SURROUND YOURSELF WITH POSITIVE PEOPLE Peer pressure is not just a high school thing and the affects of a negative group of friends can have a negative impact on your results. Lunga Mavusc, second year BA General student, said, “[in university], books are your friends.” Pia Coetzee encourages the idea of study groups.

TIP #4:TAKE NOTES AND BE ATTENTIVE IN CLASS BA MCC student, Sigourney Bruintjies, shed some light on this topic. “Most of the time, lecturers give hints to test or exam questions in the lecture, so students shouldn’t make the mistake of not paying attention.”

TIP #5:CHECK YOUR EMAILS (DAILY) Most students agreed on the importance of checking emails.

Lecturers may email to cancel a lecture, provide lecture notes or even give updates on upcoming tests and assignments.

These are just a few of the tips offered by students who were in the same position that first years are currently in. They may not work for everyone but they could just help make your studies a little easier.

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Letter from the Editor February 2016

Administrator Sade Prinsloo sade.prinsloo@nmmu.ac.za Editor Emily van Heerden s214063216@nmmu.ac.za Assistant Editors Vasti Visser s213436795@nmmu.ac.za Lazola Dyasi s211075492@nmmu.ac.za News Editor Dana Hyde s214088103@nmmu.ac.za Lifestyle & Entertainment Editor Yonga Jizana s213374072@nmmu.ac.za Sports Editor Kahl Kritzinger s214039862@nmmu.ac.za Science and Tech Editor Brendan Smit s215077512@nmmu.ac.za Blog Gabriella Groepe s211129828@nmmu.ac.za Desginers Inka Niedermeier s211133175@nmmu.ac.za Nkhondo Chirwa s212240315@nmmu.ac.za Zhandre Brass s214229823@nmmu.ac.za Siyabonga Msindwana s211160652@nmmu.ac.za

This is a student-run newspaper. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.

Welcome to NMMYou’s first edition of 2016! This year has already seen quite a lot of change for our Newspaper, not only in terms of our team members, but also in terms of our branding and our strategies. We are very fortunate to have some old dogs on our team- ones who bring experience from last year- and we are also fortunate to have newbies who bring a fresh touch to our Newspaper. I like to consider myself as an old dog; I served on the 2015 team as the News Editor and am very honoured to now serve the students of NMMU as the Editor-in-Chief.

A bit about me- I am a 3rd and final year BA MCC student, focusing on Graphic Design, Journalism and Public Relations. I love languages and being able to use them to express myself as best as I can. Therefore, writing is something that I am very passionate about. I am very excited to be a part of this team, to play a part in affording writers the opportunity to have their talents and passions showcased, and to ensure that our students have access to the latest news and information from and around the NMMU community.

Therefore, without further ado, our February edition is where you will find all your first year guides on surviving university, be given more information on a new scholarship programme that has been birthed as a result of our VC, Prof Derrick Swartz’s Mount Fiji Funds Climb, get the lowdown on the coolest tech tips for when you’re both on and off campus, and celebrate the successes of our NMMU Cheerleaders, amongst others.

A lot of hard work has gone into this edition, and I just want to stop for a moment and commend the great team of writers, photographers, editors and designers for producing high quality work in such a short amount of time, especially for those who are serving on our team for the very first time.

I would also like to take a moment to thank the two wonderful ladies who brought this Newspaper into being and nurtured it through its erratic but very rewarding baby/ toddler stages- Sadé Prinsloo (administrator) and Nicole Downing (2015 Editor-inChief). Nicole, thank you for pushing me to work my best on this Newspaper. You are undoubtedly the one who created the spark within me to see this Newspaper flourish and I hope I do you right by doing just that. Thank you for your guidance, friendship and regular check-ins. I appreciate you! Sadé, you are, 100%, the best aspect of this Newspaper. Your support, advice and care is what has allowed me to do my job so well this month. Thank you for taking me under your wing, for showing me the ropes and for reminding me to breathe every once in a while. I look forward to taking the Newspaper to greater heights with you this year.

To our readers, we hope that you enjoy reading this edition as much as we enjoyed working on it! Good luck for the rest of first semester and always remember to keep smiling and shining!

Best regards,

Emily van Heerden

NEWS

VICE-CHANCELLOR IGNITES POSSIBILITY WITH INTRODUCTION OF NEW SCHOLARSHIP

By Dana Hyde

The Summit Scholarship is an initiative that will enable prospective honours students – that are academically-minded, but struggling financially with the opportunity to journey towards new academic heights.

Just over a R1 million was raised by our very own ViceChancellor - Professor Derrick Swartz - during his preparation and completion of climbing Mount Fiji in 2015. This “swopping out of his briefcase

for a backpack” has been the driving force and ideology behind the establishment of the scholarship. All graduates are advised to push themselves to a new ‘summit’ of tertiary achievement.

Following #FeesMustFall protests, The Summit Scholarship is a positive response to help increase financial help for students.

The scholarship itself falls under the Research Capacity Development (RCD) division of NMMU. Primarily focusing

on increasing their researcher database, they also fund postgraduate and postdoctoral candidates. Increasing the research capacity of NMMU has many positive connotations.

Taking to social media, the response to the scholarship opportunity has been overwhelmingly positive.

Students are acutely proud to have a Vice-Chancellor and a university that have broadened the possibility of postgraduate endeavour.

However, many a student wanting to pursue a B-Tech qualification have expressed their dissatisfaction, as they are excluded from applying. Hence, there is a distinct outcry for more scholarship opportunities in this area.

For more information on scholarships such as this, you can contact the RCD on http:// rcd.nmmu.ac.za/

HOW NMMU IS ASSISTING THE ‘MISSING MIDDLE’

By Simran Juglal

THE MISSION THAT AIDED STUDENTS IN CONTINUING THEIR STUDIES

In November 2015, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) embarked on a mission to financially assist students who are part of the ‘missing middle’ group.

This fast-growing group includes students whose families are not poor enough to meet the requirements for National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding, but who do not have the funds to further their tertiary education.

NMMU has offered to relieve previous debt and 2016 down payment concerns for students

who fall under this ‘missing middle’ bracket, as well as for unfunded NSFAS students.

NMMU is employing a principle of ‘the greater the financial need, the greater the support’.

As a result, the ‘missing middle’ students - whose household income is less than R300 000 per annum and has up to seven dependents - will receive a smaller loan than NSFAS students, whose families cannot contribute financially.

The ‘missing middle’ students, like NSFAS students, will be expected to pay back 60% of the loan once they have

Term 1 | February 2016

finished their studies and begin working. This allows students of the next generation to benefit from the financial aid.

The decision to focus on student debt and funding issues is an outcome of the #FeesMustFall movement, which saw many South African students protesting against university fee increases. The movement resulted in a 0% fee increase for 2016.

The ‘missing middle’ group has also been acknowledged by the government. In response, the government is working on short, medium and long-term

goals to meet their needs, with the ambition to fully implement financial aid by 2018.

In consultation with student groups, NMMU aims to further the studies of their students by creating initiatives that provide for those who are academically-deserving, but financially-needy.

Consequently, more than 90% of the 5000 who applied for down payment and debt relief were successful. There will be an appeals process for the remaining 10% who seek financial aid.

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NEWS

Home sweet home, not so?

FOLLOWING THE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL’S (SRC) ‘SITIN’, THE VICE-CHANCELLOR’S (VC) OFFICE ASSISTS FINANCIALLY-NEEDY STUDENTS WITH ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING.

By Jessica Preston After meeting with the Student Representative Council (SRC) on 9 February 2016, the Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof Derrick Swartz agreed to the proposal that 3000 financiallyneedy and academicallydeserving students will be accommodated throughout the year, whilst long term financial assistance is sought.

The VC committed to

accommodating and catering these students, who had been accommodated by the SRC. Furthermore, the ‘downpayment exemption’ agreement will be enforced, as well as looking into new avenues to reduce off-campus rates.

To address the needs of the students, the SRC further launched the #enablingDREAMS campaign, which seeks to provide opportunities to students who

come from disadvantaged backgrounds. One of the campaign aspects is the accommodation of students without residence.

The university currently has 3237 beds on-campus, divided between the Port Elizabeth and George campuses, which only extends to 11.9% of the total student population.

Presently, 33% of these beds are accommodated by first year students.

In 2015, the SRC and higher management had reached an agreement over the construction of a new 500-bed residence. This plan was postponed to the end of 2016. The SRC ultimately proposes that more on-campus residences need to be built to ensure that ‘No Student is Left Behind’, the slogan of the SRC.

Students protest - Image sourced from heraldlive.co.za

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Term 1 | February 2016

LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE WHAT SOCIETIES AT NMMU HAVE TO OFFER

By Thaba Ntamo University is not only an academic environment but also a place where you can find your voice, explore your interests, meet people from different backgrounds, get out of your comfort zone and grow as an individual. What better way to do that than joining one, two, or more of the various societies offered at NMMU? NMMU offers a diversity of academic, developmental, religious and recreational societies. Each one of these societies has something different on offer, such as an opportunity to enhance your cv, improve your communication skills, find people with likeminded interests, or learn about different cultures.

The debating society may appeal to those with an analytical mind and a readiness to express their opinions. Your debating skills are sure to improve with the society’s formation seminars and annual debating nationals.

If you looking to express yourself creatively or show off your talents, then the Drama, Ballroom and Latin American Dancing,

and Hip Hop societies may just be what you’re looking for.

If you are looking to help your community, societies like the South African Red Cross Society (SARCS) and the Green Campus Initiative (GCI) will help you do just that.

For those glamorous ladies and gentlemen on campus who are looking to build a modelling portfolio or want to learn more about beauty, fitness, wellness, and love attending social events, the Glam Squad Society is for you.

Whatever your interests are, there’s sure to be a society that caters for you. Join a society today and make your university year a holistic experience by getting involved beyond the classroom and opening yourself up to new and unique experiences and people.

For more information on the societies offered on campus, visit the website http://studev.nmmu.ac.za/ or join the Student Life & Events Facebook page.

The Glam Squad Society

Term 1 | February 2016

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LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT

STAYING HEALTHY DURING HECTIC SCHEDULES

By Amy De Raedt Amongst all the hustle and bustle of getting back into varsity life we tend to put our health, at the bottom of our to-do lists. It’s pretty ironic considering that it has such a major impact on our concentration and energy levels – both of which are essential in managing our hectic schedules in the first place. But have no fear as it is almost effortless to stay healthy at varsity, and by incorporating these simple tips into your daily life, you’ll be ready to conquer the year in no time!

Drink water - all day, every day. One of the many benefits of drinking enough water is that it has a massive effect on your productivity and energy levels.

Other than staying awake in class, staying hydrated is the most important thing you can do.

Eat food for fuel. I know this can be tricky considering a student budget, but if you eat well you simply feel good.

Some “brain foods” include almonds, apples, sweet potatoes, seeds, spinach and avocados, to name but a few.

Try to avoid processed food

and look out for low-GI foods to keep your energy levels sustained throughout the day and avoid that dreaded midday crash.

Wear comfortable shoes - girls in your stunning but ohso impractical heels, I see you. Walking literally triggers endorphins that prevent anxiety and fatigue, so take the stairs instead of the lift, park your car further away from class, and take the long route to the library.

Those stairs become a serious workout after five or so climbs, so always wear comfortable shoes and you’ll be able to get your daily workout without even realising it!

Lastly, make time for free time. Balance is essential in avoiding a mid-semester burnout, so when you work, work hard – you need to put the hours into summarising and studying, but you also need to have a few hours in the bathtub and at the beach!

Keep a balance, keep hydrated, and keep a couple of healthy snacks on hand to ensure a healthy and happy year ahead, no matter how hectic your schedule gets!

a balance, keep hydrated, and keep “Keep a couple of healthy snacks on hand to ensure a healthy and happy year ahead

”

Cold water with fresh fruit is the perfect summer combination.

Photo credit: Anthea John.

“ Lastly, make time for free time. Balance

is essential in avoiding a mid-semester burnout, so when you work, work hard – you need to put the hours into summarising and studying, but you also need to have a few hours in the bathtub and at the beach!

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” Term 1 | February 2016

LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT

A NON-NARCISSISTIC AND OH-SO NECESSARY

GUIDE TO SELF-LOVE

By Amy De Raedt Even though the month of love has come and gone, there’s no better time to put ‘loving myself’ at the top of our to-do lists. Varsity can be gruelling, especially for these first few weeks (and especially for frazzled first years), so learning how to love ourselves is an essential survival skill!

Here are five feel-good challenges to help you learn how to love your spectacular self:

1. CELEBRATE CHALLENGES THAT YOU’VE CONQUERED We’ve all had seemingly impossible mountains to climb (like getting that driver’s license), and it’s important to remember that we overcame them while climbing more.

2. LIST FIVE THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF We’re often so quick to compliment others that we forget to acknowledge our own strengths and skills. Learn to embrace and applaud who you are - flaws and all.

3. CELEBRATE THE SMALL VICTORIES You know, those little accomplishments you achieve throughout the day like finishing your run, handing in your assignment on time - even just making it through the day without throwing something at someone is an accomplishment in itself some days!

4. RELAX In the midst of first semester madness; it really makes a difference to just have a few minutes for some oh-so necessary “me-time”.

Take a bubble bath, make a cup of tea, go for a walk – literally anything that will make you feel refreshed and ready to conquer the rest of the week!

5. PRACTICE GRATITUDE We tend to focus on how many assignments and tests we have that we forget how privileged we are to be receiving an education in the first place! Once you shift your focus from the negative to the positive, you’ll start to do the same for yourself.

“All love begins with the love within.” - Vironika Tugaleva, The Love Mindset.

Photo credit: Anthea John.

Term 1 | February 2016

Try to incorporate these little acts of self-love into your daily routine, and remember that it does not stop there – spread the love!

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LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT

“I’M STUDENT RICH” TIPS TO HELP YOU SURVIVE ON A STUDENT BUDGET

By Arantxa Mathapersadh Numerous students across the university struggle to keep their finances in check. Regardless if you have a student bursary; your parents are paying for your education; or you’re juggling part-time jobs to make ends meet; paying for university fees, textbooks and a social life is difficult.

However, recent interviews with students across campus revealed a few ways in which you can balance your finances.

So where should you start; textbooks or a night out at Beer Shack? Third year BA Media, Communications and Culture (MCC) student, Kayleigh Bouwers, says, “[as a student] you can’t have everything [and it’s best to] not be impulsive with your money.”

Textbooks are essential; however, there are alternative ways to obtain textbooks other than at the university book stores. Second and third year students often advertise and sell their second-hand textbooks around campus for relatively low prices. Another option, as suggested by Lwandile Mngonyama, is to utilize the library.

She says, “in my first year of studying, I didn’t buy textbooks. My friends and I shared notes and I made use of the library a lot.”

“ the free downloading application (APP) “Spending Tracker”

”

Lunga Mavusc and Danielle Massey agreed that prioritising your money is a key component to the student budget life. Danielle suggests the free downloading application (app) ‘Spending Tracker’, available for both androids and iOS, which helps you to monitor and budget your money. The application is customizable to your lifestyle and easy to use.

While students provided various ways to budgeting and buying textbooks, they all agreed on one factor. “You can’t go out every night.” Third year student, Sigourney Bruintjies, agrees with the idea of working with a budget while others suggest going out in groups or going out every second week.

Lastly, the most common way to earn extra money while studying is by getting a part-time job. However, students suggest getting one that doesn’t interfere or affect your academic work. Danielle says, “for some people it’s necessary, for others it’s not.”

you can’t have everything “[as[anda student] it’s best to] not be impulsive with your money

”

Images sourced from aftercollege.com

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Term 1 | February 2016

SCIENCE & TECH

TOP TECH TIPS AND TRICKS FOR STUDENTS AT NMMU

Images sourced from smallbiztechnology.com

By Brendan Smit They say that the older you get, the wiser you become, but I say that you can learn plenty of awesome tricks and tips before then. While we live in an era where information is freely available, it’s important to disseminate what information is important and accurate enough. So here are my top tricks and tips that apply to students here at NMMU.

little known fact is that NMMU has “aA portal that allows you to print your assignment ‘remotely’ ”

1.

Avoid the endless lines waiting to get a turn at a computer to print an assignment. A little known fact is that NMMU has a portal that allows you to print your assignment ‘remotely’ (you basically need to be in the library) from your mobile computing devices (cellphone, tablet and laptop). It’s as simple as going onto the portal, uploading the document you want printed, making sure you select the correct printer and page size, and pressing print.

Voila! All you now have to do is scan your student card at the printer, and you can collect your printed document. Quick and easy as pie- have a look here http://tinyurl.com/NMMUlibraryprint (it also includes instructions on how to use it).

2.

When buying a laptop, the price that’s displayed is not necessarily the final price. Most shops sell their laptops without software included, so that R6000 laptop isn’t really R6000- to purchase a Microsoft Office licence for any of the versions will at the very least set you back another R1000. So remember to look further than just the display price, also always do homework on the device you’d like to purchase

3.

I’m about to save you over R1000. Being NMMU students, we all have access to Microsoft Office 365 through our student portals, but what you might not know is that as students we can legally download it to use offline on our laptops. This can be used during the entire duration of your studies, without costing a cent.

4.

You can purchase laptops and technology at reduced rates online through various online retailers, such as Loot, Takealot, Wantitall and Wootware as well as the Student Laptop Initiative. These often prove to be more affordable than traditional physical brick and mortar shops.

“You can purchase laptops and technology at reduced rates online through various online retailers

”

5.

If the safety and security of your online accounts wasn’t important to you before, it’s time that you rethink your stance on the topic. Many of us sit with the same password for the majority of our accounts, THIS IS DANGEROUS. A strong password should contain Uppercase, lowercase, numbers and special characters, but these are difficult to remember. My solution is to use the service of an online password vault. It works much like a safe, you create very strong passwords, and store them in the vault so that you don’t have to remember all of them, and you merely have to remember a strong password so that you can access your password vault.

“ remember to look further than just the

display price, also always do homework on the device you’d like to purchase

” Images sourced from maxsum.com

Term 1 | February 2016

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SPORT

NMMU CHEERLEADERS ARE IN IT TO WIN IT NMMU MADIBAZ CHEERLEADERS BRING HOME THE GOLD FOR THE SECOND YEAR RUNNING

By Leigh Septoo Team spirit and many hours of steadfast training brought the NMMU cheerleaders to yet another national championship title this year. On 30 January 2016, the spirit squad competed in Potchefstroom at the national cheerleading championship where they reigned supreme, outdoing their opponents and winning the national title for the second year in a row.

Along with dedication and rigorous training, the cheerleaders prepared themselves well in advance, rehearsing six times a week during competition season.

The cheerleaders battled it out against seven different universities countrywide and had one shot to showcase their talent.

Judged by the South African Majorette and Cheerleading Association, each team

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“Undefeated NMMU Cheerleaders strike a pose as national champions for 2016”

had the opportunity to perform for one round where they were judged during and after their performance. “Before each performance, I support and motivate the group reminding them why we are here in the first place and that we need to give it our all during performances,” said Greshen Ahrens, a third year BEd Fet student and captain of the squad.

Those words of motivation led the team to perform to the best of their ability, incorporating new and more complicated stunts to better their performance as opposed to last year’s performance.

Alongside the squad captain was team manager, Nicki-Ann Rayepen, cheering on her team as she watched them do what they do best. “I am tremendously proud of them, it was incredible to witness the culmination

point of all their hard work come to fruition before my eyes” said Rayepen.

After their performance, the cheerleaders were gathered to announce the winning squad out of the three finalists which included University of Pretoria (TUKS), University of Johannesburg (UJ) and NMMU. With much anticipation the squad jumped in excitement and relief on hearing their name being called in at first place.

“There were indeed some nerves and anxiety but mostly excitement hearing our squad name being called,” said Kelly Adams, a member of the squad and professional dancer.

All of NMMU’s cheerleaders’ hard work definitely paid off as they hold their title high, still undefeated and glorious as ever.

Term 1 | February 2016

SPORT

S U M M E R R E V I E W

A LOOK AT ALL THE SPORTS THAT NMMU COMPETED IN OVER THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS AND HOW OUR TEAMS DID

By Kahl Kritzinger

UNDERWATER HOCKEY Stellenbosch University hosted the annual interclub underwater hockey tournament from 4 to 7 December. NMMU was represented in the B-league, coming away with a bronze medal after beating Border in the third/fourth place play-offs.

Underwater hockey - Image sourced from twimg.com

CRICKET This year’s annual T20 varsity cup cricket tournament was held in Potchefstroom from 25 to 30 January. NMMU was amongst the eight teams representing their universities and finished seventh overall.

NMMU’s best batsmen was Edward Moore with 140 runs, with the best bowling figures belonging to Solomzi Nqweni who achieved a tournament total of eight wickets and a match best of 4/26. Overall winners, Tuks, beat Central University of Technology (CUT) with 19 runs in the final.

Cricket - Image sourced from varsitysportssa.com

SURFING NMMU’s Billabong surf club took part in the South African Interclub Championships which ran over 12 to 14 February, where NMMU finished in fourth place overall and first among the varsity clubs.

Surfing - Image sourced from twimg.com

Term 1 | February 2016

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