Welcome to the 81st edition of Catalyst, where we become curious creatures and go on a wild ride that is student life. What better theme to launch with than adrenaline—that heart-racing, palm-sweating burst of energy that fuels us in moments of excitement, stress or sheer terror (like realising an assignment is due at midnight).
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
Adrenaline drives our excitement of doing something new, a rush of ideas before submissions, and the nervous thrill of stepping into a new class with new faces.
Amid the buzz, as students ourselves we have curated this issue for students at RMIT to explore, learn and be curious, and all with that fiery heart!
Shine on you crazy diamond, Catalyst Team
The Buzz of Adrenaline
Catalyst Issue 81, 2025
Established in 1944
Contact catalyst@rmit.edu.au
rmitcatalyst.com
RMIT Building 12, Level 3, Room 9
402 Swanston St, Melbourne
Editors
Dilushi Himesha Prasanna
Manaal Soomro
Megan Tran
Designers
Ananya Ojha
Grace Tanuwijaya
Elisa Tran
Caitlyn Nguyen
Natalie Tjendera
RUSU Publications & Communications
Shana Schultz
Photographers
Manaal Soomro
Huda Shehzad
Writers
Anisah A Halid
Huda Shehzad
Izdiher Ahmed
Logan Wolfrhamn
Manaal Soomro
Matilda Prelec
Nithya Niranjani Nagaraja
Tansy Bradshaw
Front Cover
Megan Tran
Back Cover
Megan Tran
Editorial Committee
Dilushi Himesha Prasanna
Manaal Soomro
Megan Tran
Shana Schultz
Printer
Printgraphics Pty Ltd
14 Hardner Road, Mount Waverley
Victoria 3149 Australia P: 9562 9600
Catalyst acknowledges that our publication runs on the unceded lands of the Woiwurrung and Boonwurrung language groups of the Eastern Kulin Nations. We pay our respect to the Elders, past and present. We also acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where creative endeavours are nurtured.
Catalyst is a student-run publication of the RMIT Student Union (RUSU). The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Editors, the Printers, or the Student Union.
Photograph by Huda Shezad
Megan Tran
Dilushi Himesha Prasanna
Manaal
Soomro
Hello, I’m Megan, just beginning my final year in Bachelors of Communication Design at RMIT, and, so excited to be working on Catalyst! Having always been a visual person, drawn to art in all its forms, there was never a desire to pursue anything else. Now, I feel so lucky to help bring student voices, thoughts, and creative energy to life.
Integrating tradition into storytelling and craft is a passion. I think there’s something really special about balancing the old with the new, finding connections between the past and present in unexpected ways. Can’t wait to see where this year takes us!
Hi, I'm Dilushi, a Sri Lankan born and raised in Kuwait, currently pursuing a Masters in Communication Design. Coming from a family of artists, I’ve been immersed in creativity since childhood— whether it was making jewelry from found objects or watching my dad design postage stamps on his old Mac.
Now, after many years in the design world, I'm passionate about using creativity to fuel positive change within communities and my research is driven by that motive.
My current obsession is cookbooks! Rambutan and Lankan Food are gorgeously curated both in design and authenticity, it's inspired me to cook the dishes I grew up with and it reminds me to be rooted to my identity in Melbourne.
Hey, I’m Manaal and I study Law at RMIT. I moved here from Karachi, Pakistan in 2017 and I’m a January Capricorn! My parents wanted me to be a doctor but unfortunately for them, chemistry and I have major beef. Although a legal career is a practical choice, art is what makes the most sense to me and my interest in photography peaked during my Studio Arts lessons in highschool. One thing led to another and here i am, working on this year's issue from my desk in the Catalyst office.
President's Letter
Hi all! My name’s Finbar Bray, and I’m more than excited to introduce myself as your 2025 RMIT University Student Union (RUSU) President.
So, what’s there to know about me?
I’m a fourth year Urban and Regional Planning student, trying to get through my degree unscathed. When I’m not studying, you’ll likely find me at gigs discovering new music, cheering on the Dockers, or hunting for unique finds in op-shops.
When I first moved to Melbourne in 2022, the transition to Uni life was terrifying and exciting, something I know many of you reading this can relate to. Those first few weeks felt like a whirlwind, but they also set the foundation for an incredible journey. I found my place at RMIT through RUSU by going to as many events in my first semester as I could, from the iconic Welcome Bash to Clubs Fest as well as RUSU’s famous Chill N Grills. Each event offered a chance to connect with new people and build lifelong friendships that would become the cornerstone of my Uni experience.
Getting involved didn’t just help me feel at home, it opened doors I never expected. Over time, I took on leadership roles, became a club representative, and eventually, a student representative within RUSU.
These opportunities helped me grow as a person and gave me the privilege to advocate for our community. Now, as your President, I’m looking forward to making every RMIT student’s experience an inclusive, vibrant, and supportive one.
So, what is RUSU? We’re here to make your university experience unforgettable. From hosting amazing events during O-Week to keeping the vibe alive throughout the semester, RUSU is all about fostering connection and belonging. But we’re more than just events, we’re here to support you. Whether it’s advocating for your rights, offering welfare and mental health support, or addressing food security, RUSU is your partner in making the most of your time at RMIT.
If you ever see me at a RUSU event or around campus don’t hesitate to say hi! I’ll be the one in the purple jacket with ‘President’ on the back.
So best of luck to all new and returning students in 2025 I can’t wait to see you all in the next issue of RMIT’s favourite magazine, Catalyst!
Photographs by Huda Shezad
Simmone Howell's Guide to Following Your Dreams
Simmone Howell's young adult novels are highly awarded and internationally published. Her first, Notes from the TeenageUnderground won the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award.
Her most recent, Take Three Girls, a collaborative novel with Fiona Wood and Cath Crowley, was awarded the 2017 CBCA’s Book of the Year for Older Readers, and selected for the White Ravens International Youth Library Catalogue. Simmone has received grants from Creative Victoria and Creative Australia. Her creative non-fiction about adolescence and suburban dreaming is published in The Age Spectrum, the Conversation and literary journals Island, Overland and Kill Your Darlings. She has a PhD in creative writing from La Trobe University and teaches writing at RMIT, Melbourne University and La Trobe University.
LW: What college experience did you have before this course?
SH: I was a late bloomer and a couple of attempts at uni straight from school doing arts/humanities that didn’t take. I ended up dropping out and working in record and book shops for the next few years which was an education in itself. Then, when I was maybe 24(?) I signed up for RMIT Prof Writing and Editing. I remember that I had to give them a portfolio which included a story that was heavily influenced by Twin Peaks, and the first chapter of a YA novel about a schoolgirl stalker.
LW: How did you decide PWE would help you achieve your goals?
linktr.ee/simmonehowell
SH: I think I needed some stability. I had a lot of musician friends at the time and I didn’t really have a “thing”, but I’d always liked writing and art and this felt like somewhere where I could potentially learn more. Of course I had dreams of being published but I really had no idea how that worked, and the industry back in the early 1990s felt impenetrable.
Adrenaline
Life Logan Wolfrhamn and Simmone Howell
Logan Wolfrhamn Simmone Howell
LW: What are some skills you had to perfect to keep your vision alive?
SH: Making time for writing in my 20s was challenging but that was what it took. I actually moved myself out of any social world and back to my parents house for a few years. I am lucky in that I can have really good focus. It takes a lot of circling and faffing and false starts but once I’m locked in I can usually stay the distance. At RMIT I took the subject DeskTop Publishing and with some of my classmates we used the class to create a small press where we published our short stories (Vandal Press). This was all done on a very grassroots level. There was no internet to help get word out. There was a spoken word scene that a lot of students had tapped into, and a couple of lit/writing programs on public radio (RRR, 3CR, PBS) … So those are my two skills that always help and can always use sharpening
1. Making time for writing and then 2. Backing yourself
LW: Is there an unconventional piece of advice you’d like to share? No judgement here!
SH: I am drawing a blank. There is so much writing advice out there. The one thing I’ve done consistantly throughout
my whole writing career is keeping a notebook, and having time to reflect, and learning when to pull back/drop out from all the noise. Because a lot of it is just noise and not always helpful. I also am a fan of the day-job. Well, not some deadening life-sucking day-job but I think casual work where you can move around and experience the world is good for your writing. And helps keeps the rent paid.
LW: Once you graduated, how did your dream change?
SH: My graduation was staggered and my dreams change all the time. I used to dream I could write full-time but then when I had a couple of years of nearly doing that I found it quite demotivating. My favourite thing is being able to dig into something that really interests me and find a way to write about it. I used to dream of only writing novels, but I’ve also found nonfiction really rewarding.
LW: What advice would you give to help students and creatives laser-in on their dreams and achieve them?
SH: Share your work! Find some like minds. Be flexible and don’t worry about trying to make it perfect. Writing doesn’t have to be one thing, it can be all the thing
“The one thing I’ve done consistantly throughout my whole writing career is keeping a notebook”
Simmone Howell
Anisah Abdul Halid
Itchy Hands
Ever since Chery was young, she had never been able to sit still. She would always be tripping over her tiny feet, in a hurry to get to her next destination, or in a rush to attend to her newest hobby (which changed every other week). Her parents joked that she had itchy hands and would insist she slow down and smell the roses, but she had the weight of time pushing her, something she understood for a very long time. This habit did not diminish as she grew up –
energetic pursuits becoming a coursing vitamin in her bloodstream. She didn’t pay much attention to the speed she was living at, oftentimes her productivity being a hefty advantage. Yet, there were certain things that she wasn’t able to grasp just yet; things that required being confined. It was an annoying flaw that she had to learn to navigate, and it made studying for finals almost impossible, her body inducing random surges of adrenaline to walk ten blocks and back.
Sam, however, was her polar opposite. When they studied together in the library, Chery felt a little green of how easy it was for Sam to focus on his books.
Whilst Sam had a brass-bound hyperfocus, Chery’s fingers dillydallied along her spotify, never seeming to be able to find the right song. Perhaps she felt defeated and would try to study with nothing but her thoughts (which was unlikely). Instead, a tingly feeling floods her fingertips and a shy smile creeps over her as she shuffles closer to her laptop and glances around to ensure she’s out of direct sight from others. There’s a rush of jitters in her touch as she types an ambiguous username into spotify’s login page, HSMTMTSlover. Odd username, yes, but an even odder account. There are neverending
playlists dedicated to the soundtracks of musicals. The core playlists are composed of one particular soundtrack, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (aka HSMTMTS). There are other soundtracks sprinkled in, but it barely made a dent in the HSM shrine.
Chery’s love for that musical had been imploding for the past few years. Her obsession had been one of the only things to really let time catch up with her, as her trance for the musical led to letterboxed reviews on every episode released and possessing every possible physical form of the soundtrack. This guilty pleasure became a well kept secret; her heart racing while she listened to the songs at a careful volume to avoid getting caught, a tense hyperawareness when she’d play episodes on repeat as she’d monitor the shadows and footsteps that passed her bedroom door in the evening. Though some may say excessive and exhausting, Chery only felt a sort of thrill that pumped tenaciously.
Fast forward to five years later; Chery using a hidden spotify account to get her brain churning. There’s a noticeable shift in her movement as soon as the melody of Bet on it starts to play, noticeable enough to break Sam’s focus.
“What are you listening to?” Sam whispers, peering over her screen. She’d felt caught, an extremely
unfamiliar and confusing feeling. An immediate shade of red washes over her as she quickly clicks into a different tab. But it’s helpless, he had seen the bolded titles of the playlist.
“Nothing!” she hisses out.
“Nothing? High School Musical is not nothing, especially not The Musical: The Series,” he teases sarcastically. She says nothing for a long second, a thousand different thoughts speeding through her mind.
“I’m only kidding,” he comforts.
“It’s embarrassing,” Chery whispers out.
“Not really. Everyone is entitled to their own music taste.”
Silence takes a lap around the two before Sam swings his phone towards her. Her gaze lights up, switching back and forth between his screen and his now equally as rosy face.
“Huh. Who would've thought our Sam loved a good hee-haw, boots clicking, country boy music?” She muses. He switches the screen before the other surrounding students look over at the giggling fit that had taken over them.
“It’s the only thing that’ll put me to work,” his words holding a justifying tone.
Quiet chuckles and looks are exchanged between the two, a vulnerability that previously only existed in their headphones. Though the newness to Sam’s secret did nothing to settle down Chery’s unruly nerves, it was nice, knowing the comfort of being “weird” together.
Design by Caitlyn Nguyen
Creative Writing
Anisah Abdul Halid
Ananya Ojha
Types of Melburnians
During my first couple of weeks in Melbourne, my lovely flatmate offered to show me around the city. Since she has been living here for almost five years, I could not help but ask her whether there was some sort of a secret checklist that made one a Melburnian. She thought for a bit and then simply shrugged, saying she is not aware of any. I said to myself, hmm, that couldn’t be possible. Afterall, each city has its little quirks which are unique to itself.
A few days later, while we were out for a stroll, I noticed a small crowd gathered outside a café. Upon closer look, I could see a queue formed outside. Curious, I asked my flatmate if it was famous for its food or drinks.
She once again shrugged and responded, “Nah, just a regular ol’ café.”
Over the course of a few months, I have come to realise that most Melburnians love a good queue. You’ll find them waiting in line for their coffee, a tram, or even a late-night snack as if their life depended on it. It’s not just waiting; it’s an acquired skill. No queue? No problem. They’ll make one! And somehow, they make standing in line look effortless.
This realization inspired me to create a little list of my own— a rite of passage to becoming a true Melburnian. Needless to say, I’ve experienced quite a few culture shocks, some welcomed, others not so much.
The Shorts-in-Winter Warriors
The weather here is a joke, a joke we’re not in on. Freezing winds slice right through your soul, yet there’s always that one person strutting around in shorts, as if it’s peak summer. If you add a pair of thongs and a hoodie, you’ve got the quintessential Aussie winter uniform. Either these folks are immune to the cold or have some sort of magical engine propelling them through the icy winds. Meanwhile, I’m over here layering over every outfit and bracing myself for “jacket weather,” even during summer.
The Coffee Cultists
It’s not just a drink in Melbourne; it’s some kind of religion. From Brunswick to Fitzroy, Melburnians will debate single-origin beans and the right milkto-foam ratio for a flat white. Getting your coffee from a chain? You cannot sit with them. “Let’s grab a coffee” is less of an invite and more of a social obligation. You’ll find yourself clutching one even if you don’t drink coffee.
Types of Melburnians
The Runners
Melburnians are born to runwhether chasing a tram or chased by Myki inspectors, or down the Yarra in “critically” low temperatures. It’s both inspiring and kind of terrifying. While you’re hitting your snooze button for the umpteenth time, these early birds are out pounding the pavement. Come rain, hail, or shine, they’ll be breezing past you with that unfazed, effortless expression.
The Brunch Enthusiasts
Brunch here is not a meal; it’s an experience. It’s the place where smashed avo, poached eggs, and pieces of fancy toast take the center stage. Melburnians will most willingly wait in line for hours for a table just to eat something they could have well prepared at home. But again, that’s just not the point. It is all about the vibes and main character energy.
Artistic Souls
Then there are the creatives who stroll the aesthetic laneways of Fitzroy and Collingwood for their next inspiration. Be it graffiti artists making Hosier Lane a living canvas to musicians playing on every corner of the
CBD, their creativity gives life to the city. They could be sketching in a notebook at a quirky café or setting up their next gallery exhibit; adding a splash of color and character to Melbourne’s ever-evolving identity.
Of course, the list doesn’t end here but the article does. All in all, moving here has truly been an eye-opener, filled with quirks and laughs. Whether it’s navigating the Myki system or braving Melbourne’s 4-seasons-in-a-day weather, I’m slowly becoming one of them—shorts in winter still excluded. For now.
Creative Writing and Illustration Ananya Ojha
When you're struggling with money, and have a limited amount for food- eating cheap foods like ramen every night can be tempting. But, as delicious as ramen is, it has no real nutritional value. To be your best functioning, most productive self – you need some real food. These are four cheap meals that you can make for little cost, that are good fuel to keep you going.
1. Pasta Bake is great to make, as it only needs a few ingredients, namely pasta. You can make it your own with any protein, vegetables etc. that you want to use. It's a great way to use up leftover ingredients from other meals as well, limiting food waste.
2. Dahl is a dish made from lentils, beans or peas that are spiced and cooked into a sort of stew, or soup. It is a flavourful dish, for a small cost. You can again use any protein or vegetables.
3. Tacos are delicious and can be so easy to make. You only need a few ingredients, such as tortillas, protein etc. Most supermarkets sell taco kits- which come with most of the ingredients that you need. They're cheap to make just for yourself, or for a group of people.
4. Stir Fry can me made in so many different variations and with only a few ingredients. You can use rice, noodles, different sauces and vegetables. There are so many options for different flavours, and you don't need that many ingredients.
All 4 of these meals, you can really make them your own. Whether you eat meat, are a vegetarian or vegan or have other dietary requirements, all of these are great to make for a small cost. You can also make these meals in big batches, as meal prep or leftovers. So instead of spending money out on lunch while at uni, you can bring leftovers with you. Or just have it for dinner again another night, saving you money and keeping you going with great food.
Matilda Prelec
Illustration by Caitlyn Nguyen
Illustration by Ananya Ojha
What do you need between classes?
A sit? A snack?
Maybe some sweet, delicious silence?
You’ve done it. You’ve got into your course, maybe you moved home to be closer to campus. If it’s your first time moving out, congratulations! Exciting! Perhaps you’ve done your first few classes, heard about all the upcoming group projects and assignments and now… the adrenaline has worn off and you need somewhere nice to disappear and not think about anything for a bit. I, personally, am a cosy, laid-back creature who does not thrill-seek. I’d be cottage-core if cottages were remotely affordable. I’ll hold your bag while you go on that ten-storey, triple loop de loop, quadruple spiral rollercoaster. So, where are a few places to decompress?
Background Photograph by Huda Shezad Study in a Wood Daniel Huntington, 1861
→ Sensory Friendly Space
Found on level 3 in building 80, on the corner of Franklin st and Swanston st, this spot is for napping. Snoozing. Dozing. It’s room 13 if you’re in need of a lie down. No guilt here.
↙ Garden Terrace Study Spot
Hop through the red student portal on floor 7 of building 10 and isekai yourself to this outdoor bbq terrace. There are tables and huge grassy steps to sit and enjoy the sunlight (weather permitting). Bring your coffee and books.
↗ Star Wars Pods/ Darth Vader Lounge
A more popular place for groups, here you’ll find an array of black and white table sets of varying sizes, with convenient power points and good squishy chairs. Go through building 10 and you’ll find this achromatic spot in the library, where you can disappear into a crowd of likeminded individuals.
→ School of Art Gallery
How about something creative and refreshing to scrub your brain? Take a stroll through the cycling works on display in building 2, corner of Bowen st and La Trobe st. You’ll be surrounded by all the hard work of your peers in art school. If you
see an artist, say something nice. Compliments are free, just like this gallery.
↑ Standing Room
A popular cafe worth waiting in line for, hidden behind the Campus Store. Find it between the elevators for buildings 10 and 12, and enjoy a coffee, toastie, bagel and/or cake. There’s another terrace to sit in out back if you want some sunshine to wake you up.
↖ Coffee on Cardigan
A lovely little cafe with indoor and outdoor terrace seating, this gem is in building 94, level 4. Sandwiches, wraps, salads, jumbo cookies, pastries, and of course, coffee with all the different types of milk your heart can desire. This is my personal recommendation. An 8:30am class is so much more manageable with a sweet snack and an extra large flat white.
And finally, last but not least:
↗ The Secret Couch of Building 8
Legend tells of a comfy, brownblack leather couch sequestered in a corridor somewhere in building 8. May its quiet reign remain unbroken.
:) Happy sitting!
Photographs by Huda Shezad
Home Away From Home
It’s said Home is the people not the space
But what if you know people from all over the place?
A privilege to recognise each and every face
Yet somehow it seems like a constant back and forth chase
So “Where is Home for you?” some may ask
The place which I call “Desh” - for which finding the exact coordinates on a map seem to be a task
Or is it the “The Land Down Under” as they say
The very place where I now stay
Is it the smell of my favourite home cooked meals my mother never fails to feed
Or is it the now familiar smell of the coffee which has become quite the daily need
Is it the comfort I feel when things are familiar
Or is it the rush of new endeavours and it’s accompanying failures
Is it the place to which I was born out of my mother’s womb
Or is it the place where I was reborn in to fully bloom
Is it the people I grew up with, from whom I am now miles away
Or is it the people that accepted me into their lives halfway
Is it the roads that I knew by heart, the place that held a lot of my firsts
Or is it the unknown roads that I guide myself on, which in my head have now become quite well versed
From unknown to known in no time
The lines seemed to have blurred just fine
So much so that the once known homeland has become quite unknown
And the home away from home has made its place into the crevices of the memories that stand alone
Memories enough to fill books to share my state of mind
No way to grasp the thoughts that shuttle like fast, frantic centipedes – all intertwined
A word we use in my mother tongue to describe such instances
“Khichuri” - a jumbled up mixture of all things pleasant, sometimes edible but usually used to describe the differences
And when I am back one day, I shall see the change that was brought forth by the people of my land
For twice did they fight for their independence, showing the world what’s possible when things are done hand in hand
A life in both placesleading a dual life as I sometimes feel
And now one without the other makes my identity conceal
A crisis waiting to unfold
Yet somehow I have embraced this chaos I happened to mold
A little life here and a little life there
To feel a little homesick when I’m not present in either is only fair
Design by Natalie Tjendera
Catalyst Volume 81 Adrenaline
Nithya Nagaraja
Design by Elisa Tran
A Year Into Living in Melbourne
Those first few weeks felt like stepping into an unmarked territory where time bent to my will. I reveled in the intoxicating freedom of crafting my own schedule – staying up until dawn watching the Melbourne skyline twinkle, sleeping until the afternoon sun warmed my room, and eating whenever hunger struck rather than when convention dictated. But freedom, I soon discovered, was a double-edged sword that cut through the protective bubble I had lived in for so long. The dishes wouldn't wash themselves, the laundry pile grew more demanding by the day, and the quiet evenings amplified the absence of familiar voices that had always been just a room away. Each mundane task became a meditation on selfreliance, forcing me to confront the gap between the romantic notion of independence and its gritty reality.
I had chosen this path, driven by an almost desperate hunger for growth and change. The decision to move across oceans wasn't just about advancing my career or education – it was about testing the boundaries of who I could become when stripped of the familiar. Yet, what began as a quest for personal and professional metamorphosis evolved into something far more
fundamental. In the daily rhythm of washing pans and dusting windows, I found myself questioning what growth and identity truly meant. These weren't just formerly vicarious, fictional concepts to ponder in comfortable theoreticals anymore – they had to be forged through the lived experience of building a life from scratch, one solitary decision at a time.
My first job in Melbourne became an unexpected masterclass in cultural integration. Walking into that bustling restaurant, I carried not just my eagerness to learn but also the weight of my own cultural assumptions. The beauty of Melbourne's approach to its multicultural identity revealed itself in small, meaningful moments – in how my colleagues patiently repeated instructions when my anxious mind scrambled their words, or how they'd explain local slang with genuine enthusiasm. The city's embrace of its diverse diaspora wasn't just a policy on paper; it lived in these daily interactions, in the gentle corrections when I fumbled with Australian menu item terminology, in the shared laughter when I finally mastered the art of mixing the perfect whiskey sour. What began as tentative steps into an unfamiliar workplace evolved into
Nithya Nagaraja
Design by Elisa Tran
Nithya Nagaraja A Year Into Living in Melbourne
a journey of surprising self-discovery. Each small victory – nailing the timing of a joke that made Australian customers laugh, confidently discussing Australian Open results during small talk, crafting my first perfect cappuccino – built a bridge between who I was and who I was becoming. These weren't just job skills; they were threads weaving me into the fabric of Melbourne life. Perhaps the most profound revelation was understanding that cultural adaptation isn't about erasing your own identity, but rather about creating a unique fusion, which ironically helps you stay interesting! Like the perfect aperol spritz I learned to make – it's all about finding the right balance while maintaining the distinct character of each ingredient. A lesson I integrated well into my own personal life. The symphony of independence plays in unexpected notes – in the rhythmic hum of a washing machine at midnight, in the sizzle of a pan as you experiment with a new recipe, in the quiet satisfaction of surveying
freshly dusted shelves. What began as an overwhelming cascade of responsibilities – the endless cycle of laundry, cooking, cleaning, socializing, studying –gradually transformed into self-discovery. Each stumble in this dance taught me something new: that motivation is a skill to be nurtured, that the simple act of choosing your own groceries can be an expression of self-care, that time management isn't about perfection but about understanding your own rhythms.
Living alone stripped away the comfortable illusions of adulthood I'd carried. Suddenly, I saw with startling clarity the labor of those who had cared for me – the thought behind each prepared meal, the effort put into each cleaned space. Yet in this recognition came an unexpected joy: the pleasure of creating my own systems, of finding delight in tasks I'd once considered mundane. The freedom I discovered wasn't just about setting my own schedule; it was about crafting a life that reflected my authentic self, one load of laundry at a time.
Building a community in Melbourne became an exercise in patience and authenticity. I approached it like tending a garden – knowing that meaningful connections, like strong roots, take time to develop. While I leaned on the sturdy branches of my existing support system, I gradually created space for new connections to flourish. The process taught me that community isn't something you find but something you cultivate, with careful attention and genuine effort.
What surprised me most was how easily I synchronized with Melbourne’s rhythm once I stopped resisting it. The city's culture seeped into my daily life not through grand gestures but through small moments of connection – a friend's familiar smile, a neighbor's friendly chat, a colleague's shared joke. These moments, strung together, began to form a new kind of home.
My relationship with "home" underwent its own metamorphosis. While I mourned the missed family dinners and spontaneous coffee dates with old friends, we created new traditions across time zones –virtual chats, shared recipes, long voice messages that carried the warmth of familiar laughter. But the most profound discovery was realizing
that home had become less about a physical space and more about the person I was becoming. Home now resided in my growing confidence, in my ability to face challenges with resilience, in the deep knowledge that I could trust myself to navigate any storm.
Looking back at these months of transformation, I've come to understand something vital about growing into adulthood that rarely makes it into coming-of-age stories. It's not the grand moments of independence that shape us, but rather the quiet victories: the first time you instinctively know how to comfort yourself after a hard day, the evening you realize you're cooking elaborate meals just because they bring you joy, the morning you wake up and recognize yourself in the person you're becoming. The chaos and confusion of this period weren't obstacles to overcome but growth sprouted. My roots, planted firmly in the love and lessons of home, proved strong enough to support my rise into unfamiliar skies. Like Melbourne's ever-changing weather, I learned that growth isn't a destination but a constant state of becoming – a gradual, powerful process of growing more authentically into yourself, finding beauty in this endless unfolding.
Memoir Nithya Nagaraja
Design by Elisa Tran
Design by Natalie Tjendera
Risk & Resilience: Adrenaline with a Health Condition
Design by Grace Tanuwijaya
Adrenaline has lots of benefits to mental health. Doing activities such as skydiving, bungee-jumping, or rock climbing would be considered activities in this category. However, as somebody with a health condition and disability that prevents them from doing any of these activities. I had to find an activity that both gave me a rush of adrenaline, however I respected the fact that I had physical limitations that did not allow me the freedom to push myself as much as an able body person could.
Public speaking is considered one of the top fears in the world. Yet, it is something that we are going to have to deal with in our lives one way or another. Anxiety and adrenaline could be considered two sides of the same coin. In both instances our bodies are flooded with chemicals that give our body a rush. The rush of chemicals through our system is what causes our heart rate to increase. My number one cure for helping me get over my fear of public speaking was to give myself an adrenaline rush. What better way to do that than stand-up comedy.
For someone who is unable to do the usual activities, comedy provided an outlet for me to release the tension that has built up in both my body and mind. I have seen many comedy shows throughout the years and a common thread by comedians is that doing the job of stand up and getting laugh from just standing there and talking is addictive. If you speak to any comic there is nothing more satisfying than doing a good set. In a 2018 article, comedian Ron Josol says that
“Stand up is dangerous, but gratifying”
I can attest to this. I still remember those moments on stage. Walking out to applause. You are completely blinded by the stage lights. Your heart is pounding as the clapping slowly fades to silence. A moment can seem like a millennium as you take a pause before launching into your first joke. My first joke was a self deprecating one about my disability. No, I may tell it differently today, the laugh of it followed. It was the serotonin boost. I needed to throw myself into my five minute constructed set.
Every time I walked out on stage, I gambled. I had the microphone and while that was powerful, it also came with expectations. When I pulled off a successful execution of the set-up, joke, punchline what I got back was laughter. Not people laughing at me, nor people laughing with me but people laughing because of me.
Stand up comedy was my adrenaline activity of choice and just as exciting as skydiving, bungee-jumping, or rock climbing. Even though I don’t do it anymore, I still remember those days fondly. There is nothing that I have experienced in my life that has ever come close to the feeling of walking on cloud nine after a good set.
Unfiltered Narrative
Tansy Bradshaw
Can I HelpYou?
As a new student you may not be aware of how much time you may actually spend in the library. Getting a head start on how to navigate the library both online and the physical building. As a library technician I am here to give you some tips for both online and in person.
Where are the libraries at RMIT?
There are four Library sites located on the City, Brunswick, and Bundoora campuses. At the city campus there are two libraries; in Building 94, Level 3 and also Building 10, Level 5.
Library Oreintation Tours
During O-Week students can attend a tour of the library and be shown around by one of the librarians. RMIT City Campus has multiple days and times available, they are:
There is no need to book, just pick a time and show up.
Get familiar with the Dewey Decimal System
Being familiar with the Dewey decimal system will help you to be able to find the book on the shelf after looking it up in the catalogue. Every resource in the library can be catalogued to sit within one of the nine class areas. The broad classes are:
000 - Computer science, knowledge, and systems
100 - Philosophy and psychology
200 - Religion
300 - Social sciences
400 - Language
500 - Science
600 - Technology
700 - Arts and recreation
800 - Literature
900 - History and geography
How to read a Dewey number Dewey numbers are written out in a sequential ascending order. They go from one to nine starting at whatever class it is in. Within each class, it is then broken down into increments of ten called divisions. Finally each division has a different section, that run from one to nine.
The decimal point in the number is to separate the main topic (from the subtopic). The longer the number is, the more specific the topic.
Here is an example: 746.43
Class - 700 (Arts and recreation)
Division - 40 (Drawing and Deceotive Art)
Section - 6 (Textiles)
Classification within the Section - 43 (Type of Textile)
Library subject guides Library subject guides are sometimes an unknown gem that the libraries have available for students. These guides (https://rmit.libguides.com/) are where librarians have collated all the databases that they have access to pertaining to your subject area. Each subject has a homepage that you can bookmark where all your resources will be just a click today.
Sign into the library using your Student ID
Have you found a resouce that you want to keep track of? Just as you can sign into CANVAS to get your subject resources, you can also use your student ID to sign into the library and bookmark the resource. That way you can find it at a later date.
Chat with an RMIT librarian
Use the Ask the Library chat button, which appears throughout the Library website (bottom right), to get immediate help.
Chat is available from: Monday to Friday: 9am–5pm Public holidays: closed.
Other ways to get help
Call us on (03) 9925 2020 during business hours.
Email us on lib.ask@rmit.edu.au and we will respond within the next business day.
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Tansy Bradshaw
Izdiher Ahmed
A Guide to Being a Rookie
University… the 10 letter word that seems daunting and looms on our heads when we decide to start a new course or program. “Will I make friends?” , “ What will people think of me?” , “What if I don’t know what to do?”. As a new student starting university, whether it be straight from high school or later in life, it has always given us the jitters and sweaty palms. And as a fellow student myself, I’m speaking from experience when I say YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Now I am no expert at giving advice but I do know a thing or two about being a rookie. And in the case you do feel alone, here are some reminders to keep in mind on your journey as a student.
Mental Health and Wellbeing is Priority Oftentimes, among the cutthroat environment to achieve and excel, we forget to take care of the most essential aspect- ourselves. And I'm here to let you know that prioritizing your health is the best thing you can do for yourself as a student. And now you might ask me, “but how is my health a bigger priority than my studies?”. Take it from someone who has pulled more all-nighters than had full nights of rest, it eventually catches up to you. Once you start ignoring your wellbeing, it's a downward slope from then on. A rabbit hole I highly recommend jumping over. And sometimes it's not as easy as getting a good night's rest. Sometimes it's things we deal with on
a deeper level, and it's okay to take breaks whenever needed. At RMIT, we have several services like our Student Welfare Team that you can reach out and connect to for assistance and advice on such matters and more.
It’s Okay to Ask
Ask for help!! Ask Questions!! Do not shy away from asking. And do not forget that there is no such thing as a dumb question. As a new student, I can guarantee you that there will be so many things you would not know and many other things that you would be unsure of. These things can range from, “ What is the half-life of radioactive materials like radium?” to “ Where is the microwave around campus” (Trust me I get this question a lot). Some questions may not be as simple as others and to be a student is to be a curious creature. You have to be inquisitive in order to learn. It's best to ask and confirm rather than assume and this applies within the 4 walls of an institution and even outside of it. And as Socrates said, “ The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” Precisely, what this means is that you should be aware of what you do not know but also be confident in what you do know with certainty.
A Guide to Being a Rookie
Balance is Key
As students, we sometimes forget that there is more to life than what you learn sitting down in a lecture hall. You may quickly feel overwhelmed both in your academic and personal life when you do not start with a mindset to lead a balanced life as a student. One of the first things to keep in mind for balance is prioritizing wisely. You are most productive and least drained when you prioritize your tasks wisely.
When you have a clear idea of what is important to you, you are more likely to make time accordingly and get your tasks done efficiently. The other factor in keeping a balance is trying new things or new ways of doing things. As humans, we often get bored of the mundaneness of life and it's good to switch up from time to time. Finding new ways to study by changing study methods or the place you study at or finding a new activity to do with your friends are all ways to engage your life towards having a balance that is both entertaining and exciting.
Networking
One of the things that I wish I did more of when I first started university is to talk to and to engage with my peers. And I not only mean engaging with the people in my cohort or program, I also mean engaging with people in other programs and even your teachers. When you network, you get exposed to an array of ideas and mindsets. You find people that share your beliefs and thoughts and also ones that will challenge them. You are able to bounce off your ideas with other people’s ideas and if you are lucky, you are make some good and lasting friendships out of it.
On the other hand, it could be a means to explore and broaden your horizons where you can open more doors for yourself and grasp some very wonderful opportunities. Joining such things as clubs, being part of RUSU- RMIT’s very own student union, or just talking to your teachers can be great ways to kickstart your networking options.
Just a Cuppa Anisah Abdul Halid
Inhale
My early mornings consist of a squawking alarm clock, fumbling through the bathroom and mismatching socks exiting the front door. It’s a quick flash that interrupts the sun’s quiet and peaceful rise. I don’t remember much of these mornings, my lack of elegance and functionality not being a particular memory I’d like to replay.
However, there is one thing that keeps me from completely shutting down. Nothing more convincing, more stirring than the scent of coffee –an intensity worth waking for. It’s a scent indescribable really; nutty and smoky notes, with some type of floral underlying base. Or perhaps, vice-versa; the nuttyness becomes the foundation and the floral aroma becomes a mere note. Whatever way you’d like to describe it, it is irrefutably an alive and awakening aroma. It’s enticing enough to lure me into this shoebox of a cafe and happily pay far more than I should. This is when my day truly starts.
Noise
Hissing coffee machines, clinks of mugs and silverware, and servers competing against the sound of music — these are the non-negotiables that constitute this coffee shop. It’s a small space, I’d guess 15m2, so I know to expect the inevitable chaos, especially during a morning rush where the entry chime rings non stop.
I admire the baristas, they’ve got a talent for focusing on the task at hand, despite the symphony of noise cheering them on. Orders are pushed through and I can hear giggles and chattering amongst the workers, “half a shot with five pumps of vanilla and three sugars,” they say amusingly. I giggle to myself, questioning at what point they stop calling it coffee. Nonetheless, they prepare a cup for that order, a smile left on their lips as they do.
Huda Shezad
Warmth
This space is big enough for around ten people (give or take). Currently, it’d only take one more person before it enters shoulder-to-shoulder territory. I’m leaning against the hard wooden frame trying to avoid being in someone’s personal space, when I hear the bell ring. I’m not close enough to gauge the newcomer, so I leave them unmet with my eyes. I hear their clothes rustling before their slight touch makes me immediately apologise for intruding. My gaze shifts up and I realise it’s a familiar face. One more person to fit in this space and it’s serendipitous that it should be my dear friend, Haze.
Our faces soften with comfort and ease as she pulls me into her warm embrace. My arm wraps around her, her fingers rubbing against my back as she whispers how it’s “been too long.” I nod my head in agreement as I rest on her shoulder. Our bodies part, but our friendly fingers intertwine, soaking up the presence of each other in this tiny cafe.
Glasses
After a quick conversation, she squeezes past the people in front of us to order. Haze is much taller than me, her curls falling perfectly below her shoulder. Green glasses poke from on top her hair to create a cascading effect, her coat and shoes matching a deep brownish colour that exudes the perfect autumn vibe – all-in-all she’s coordinated to the T. I shift my eyes to the person serving her, who somehow is even more suave than her. Her glasses seem to match Haze’s, although her glasses are bejeweled and are resting on her head, which is dyed a Coraline-blue (very cool). I look around and realise there isn’t a single person who isn’t stylishly dressed for Autumn. I stare a beat too long at everyone and can’t help but feel as though I fall in love with everyone I see.
Coffee
It takes one more order before they call out for mine, and I’m holding my long awaited cuppa. The smell pleases me once more, before I sip the coffee and let the rich, mellow flavours take over. The warmth trickles down my throat and I’m charged with a new energy. Dawdling morning sleep leaves with each swig, and the body that ached to belong to my bed is nowhere to be found. I’m back on my toes, feeling the cold air kiss my very rosy nose and cheeks. The light roast of the coffee lingers in my mouth and I lick my lips to savour the taste. A sip is all it takes to make me feel the way coffee smells. The door swings open and I part ways with the familiar jingle once again.
