Education

By: Carl Neumann Educational achievement requires certain characteristics and abilities. Clarke University advises students to develop a specific set of competencies in order to develop an internal framework conducive to success. I will briefly discuss a few of the skills necessary to succeed in high school, college, or university.

TIME MANAGEMENT

Time management requires students to create and test a weekly schedule based on the events that occur during the week in order to assess and evaluate whether they use their time appropriately for each event.

STUDY SKILLS

Another critical skill is determining the most effective method of study for you. High school and college education require quite different study approaches. It is critical to discover what works for you. You might begin by conducting research on various study methods and selecting the one that is most appropriate for you. PROBLEM-SOLVING

This is a necessary skill at any level of education. The capacity to handle obstacles and come up with innovative yet practical solutions could make all the difference. Students must be able to handle a problem calmly and rationally in all facets of their lives, not just in school.

RESPONSIBILITY

In contrast to school, lecturers and other staff do not take responsibility for students who skip lectures, practical assessments, or exams, as the student is responsible for ensuring their attendance. Being responsible is a critical characteristic that all students must possess. It demonstrates that they can be relied upon to carry out instructions without fail.

PERSEVERANCE

“Be like a postage stamp, stick to something until you get there!” – Josh Billings Perseverance develops as a result of being exposed to multiple situations that require students to question the sustainability of their goals and teaches them that remaining devoted to their goals will only benefit them in the long run.

CREATIVITY

Creativity is not only a worthwhile educational pursuit; it is also critical for professional success. This trait is mostly for the development of other tertiary education-related talents, such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and social skills. Being creative can result in the invention of "out of the box" solutions to issues, allowing for the disregard of conventional rules and the discovery of innovative solutions. This ability can be acquired through challenging perceptions and researching alternate explanations. The never-ending list of attributes and characteristics necessary for success in education and life in general can be overwhelming and intimidating, but self-evaluation can be a good place to start to determine if you are on the right track.

REFERENCE LIST Clarke University Home Page https://www.clarke.edu/campuslife/health-wellness/counseling/ articles-advice/essential-skills-forcollege-students/

By: Tammy Lendore

The national holiday is dedicated to commemorate the memory of those who defied and protested against the system of Apartheid and racism in South Africa. On 21 March the communities of Sharpeville and Langa townships embarked on a march to protest Pass Laws. The police shot and killed 69 protestors, many of whom were fleeing, in what became known as the Sharpeville Massacre. News of the Massacre filled the international media space and exposed Apartheid for what it was, an unequivocal violation of human rights.

The day also celebrates the progress made towards the recognition of human rights in South Africa and all newly established freedoms such as our Constitution, which has been hailed as one of the most progressive in the world and is the ultimate protector of our human rights. These rights include Equality, Human dignity, Freedom of movement, the right to Life and the right to Language and Culture.

The purpose of the holiday is to teach us to celebrate, embrace, respect and appreciate our country’s vast and diverse culture, faiths, beliefs and religions.

For most of 2020 and 2021 a number of our human rights and freedoms which we have enjoyed have been curtailed due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. The celebrations, concerts, theatres and other spaces for education and entertainment have been closed to prevent social gatherings of large numbers of people in efforts to limit the spread of the virus.

Now is the opportune time to reflect on these rights, which people have sacrificed their lives for and which we have enjoyed since the advent of democracy. Now is the time for conversations on how to protect these rights given the circumstance of the Global Pandemic. Now is the time to interrogate whether the ‘new normal’ which has infringed on our constitutionally entrenched rights is our acceptable way forward if we are to survive and thrive during and beyond the Pandemic.

Our most fundamental human right as Christians is to love and be loved. When Jesus was questioned about the greatest commandment, he stated that the greatest commandment is to love God, one's self, and one's neighbour. Thus, love is the bedrock upon which we should live and represent God. This requires right humans. Humans who do not simply read the word of God but fully embody it. Only then will we be able to contribute positively to our country's social cohesion. Right humans will respect another's human dignity regardless of race, ethnic origin, or social class, amongst others. Right humans are those who recognize and respect the divine image in others. While we observe human rights day, let us strive to be right human beings to one another.