OPEN ME!
The Orientation Handbook for all Commerce and Economics Students
Editorial
Alarice Thio & Raymond Lee
Orientation 007 Events: 28 Feb: Peer Mentoring Initial Meeting, Sam Cracknell Pavilion 16 Mar - 18 Mar: Orientation 07 Camp, Broken Bay Recreation Centre Week 6: COMSOC Cruise - TBA
Premier Sponsors of COMSOC
University. For many its more than a familiar word, yet for others, typically First Years, it can be an immediate goosebump stimulant. We think goosebumps are sexy though. Notice we have typed “First Years” in caps, and that can only translate to two possibilities. One: the sexiness they exhibit demands our unparalleled respect, and Two: we love you like Michael Jackson loves his children, and that my friends, is an understatement.
On behalf of the UNSW Commerce & Economics Society team and ourselves, we’d like to give A BIG WARM WELCOME to our fellow First Years, and dont forget to checkout the remainder of this very first issue of Comunieco for 2007, especially tailored for those fresh fish in the uni pond. As for the others, dont worry... We still love you guys.
Contents COMSOC - An Introduction
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ADVENTURES OF UNIVERSITY - A Timeline
Major Sponsors
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UNI TIP$ & TRICK$
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THE COMMONER
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Get Into It!
WRONG PERCEPTIONS
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The Journey...scared yet?
Affiliate Sponsors
VERBAL DIARRHOEA
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Tick...Tock WHATS HOT & WHATS NOT
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Publications Directors: Alarice Thio a.thio@unswcomsoc.com
Raymond Lee r.lee@unswcomsoc.com
Publications Team: 2
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Jessica Chui Leslie Wong
Jie Zhang Shirley Weng
Katherine Choo Tiffany So
COMSOC
Arcade Games:
An Introduction
The Commerce and Economics Society of UNSW (COMSOC), is the single largest student - run organisation in the university, overlooking more than 4300 students within the Faculty of Business. Sponsored and endorsed by numerous prestigious local and international corporations, COMSOC is determined to foster a cohesive relationship between the university and its student body, through the organisation of regular student gatherings and events, as well as, but not limited to, the provision of academic and social support for students.
COMSOC members will be able to test their skills and wit against their peers through the newly incorporated Online Arcade Gaming System. Not only will you be able to prevail over your friends / enemies to earn bragging rights, members will also be able to earn Credits by playing the Arcade Games online, which can later be used in the online shop. Its definitely a Win / Win situation for all.
On top of these two revolutionary additions, popular features present from the old COMSOC website will also remain. These include: COMSOC Forums - The ever-popular sanctuary for COMSOC members to discuss anything and everything. The Gallery
Evolutions in 2007
- Photo archive for members to relive all the fun memories from past COMSOC events and more.
Textbook Corner - For all your textbook exchange needs, the Textbook corner is the only place you’ll ever need to be. and more...
Brand New Website Design: COMSOC’s Official Website: www.unswcomsoc.com was already a social phenomenon in 2006. Yet COMSOC, never satisfied in the pursuit of perfection, decided to go one step further. The official website has been completely redesigned from guts to surface, with newly integrated features, that would promise to redefine how students interact online. Some of these new features include:
CO M SO
C FO RU MS TH
E SH
A RC
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KC
OR
N ER
THE GA LL E
RY
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As COMSOC members socialise on the website forums, they are able to accumulate Credits through posting. Members will earn 5 Credits per new topic posted, and 2 Credits per new post. These will allow members to purchase items at the online shop, such as discounts to upcoming COMSOC events and more. Members will also be able to send Credits and items purchased at the shop to other members.
AM DE G ES
OP
The Shop:
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COMSOC CRUISE 2006:
Sports Portfolio:
COMSOC Events 2007
The following is a brief introduction of various COMSOC events held in 2006, also serving as a preview for the upcoming events in 2007:
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COMSOC Camp is the first of many annual events on the schedule at COMSOC. In March last year, countless members energized the Milson’s Island Sports Centre through a packed weekend that boasted everything from canoeing, to the flying fox and even to some midnight dancing. The fun was guaranteed indeed.
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It was inevitable. Semester 2 2006, the partying went ON & ON. This time COMSOC brought the lovin’ to Skygarden, as our members danced away to the nonstop beats of euphoria, redefining hardcore partying with every move. It was the perfect time to relieve pre-examination stresses as insanity got the better of us.
COMSOC BALL 2006: This was Officially The Most Glamorous Night of 2006. Consumed by the mafia theme of the night, COMSOC members redefined Extravagance at the Shangri-La Hotel. It was a 5 Star experience that remains unparalleled to this day. Missed out on the fun? Don’t worry, COMSOC Camp 07 will kick start the party cycle again very soon. We’ll see you there!
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THE USUAL SUSPECTS
TEMPTATION ISLAND
COMSOC CAMP 2006:
ON & ON ON & ON
Continuing the tradition, COMSOC will organise numerous irresistable events and gatherings in 2007 for all to enjoy. Apart from the annual COMSOC Camp, Cruise and Ball, various other events will also be held in order to foster a continuing relationship between COMSOC and the student body.
FULL OF SHIP
Merely a month had gone after the Camp, and COMSOC members were chilling at the Cruise. Cookin’ up the lovin’ from the King St Wharf, the partying continued as members were treated to two levels of RnB / Hip-Hop musical luxury in the night time midst of the Sydney harbour. Can it get any better than this?
To further garnish COMSOC’s already impressive arsenal of activities tailored for its members, the Sports Portfolio was initialised. Led by Carl Charlier, the new Sports Portfolio promises to integrate a plethora of sporting activities into the university lives of COMSOC members. Rather than to indulge yourselves in the social harmony of friday night drinks, why not build up that sexy body through exercise to impress the opposite sex the next time around?
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adventures
the
1 Y S E T A R
PARTY GAUGE
PARTY GAUGE
Yet, if we remove those lucky ones with preestablished social groups from the equation, the very beginning can be a daunting time for some, as they strive to plant the roots of new friendships, while simultaneousy trying to look cool.
STUDY GAUGE
STUDY GAUGE
“OMG I NEED TO FIND A JOB” GAUGE
“OMG I NEED TO FIND A JOB” GAUGE
Rampage your way through the parties, pass QMA & B, and enjoy the simple life. While you can.
Depending on the subject paths one decides to follow, 2nd year can be the most difficult period for many.
PARTY GAUGE
STUDY GAUGE
“OMG I NEED TO FIND A JOB” GAUGE
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university
1st Year University is without a doubt, the most entertaining year of many’s university adventures.
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of
The sudden escalation of workloads will wear out even the most hardcore of nerds, and before you know it, you wont be sleeping through those lectures you swore you’d never attended. The true torture begins here ladies and gentlemen. It’s intense. It’s hectic. It’s 2nd Year University.
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2 Y N E D A R
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3 Y R E D A R
TIME LINE
The 4th year may not relate to the average Commerce and Economics student, but it is possibly the most critical year of university for those who do endure it. The extra year provides students with an extra time bracket for which to choose and plan their careers carefully. Although university workloads can be as tense as ever, students would understandably redirect their attention towards joining the workforce. Again, postgraduate study may be another option to consider if you cant get enough of university.
4 Y T E H A R
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The last year of university for most Commerce and Economics students, 3rd year is a reality check. Heavy duty workloads aside, the need for job security has never been higher. The fear of post-graduation unemployment, will spark some students into frenzy, yet many will be prepared and organised enough to prevent such a discouraging scenario. But of course one can also opt for postgraduate study. For the rest of us, it may be advisable to cut the parties short and start polishing those resumes.
PARTY GAUGE
STUDY GAUGE
“OMG I NEED TO FIND A JOB” GAUGE
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TIP$
Location 2: Colonnade The Colonnade is unbelievably packed during the usual lunch break period between 12 -2pm, but that only serves as a testament to its popularity as a nucleus of the student society.
&
TRICK$
Be there early and you might even be able to claim one of the sofas. Besides the food, there are also POOL TABLES. Remember to keep a few spare coins people, you never know when you’ll be challenged to a death duel.
SOCIAL
S
o you’ve just started uni. You practically dont know anyone and it seems like no one wants to know you either. Yet it just seems awkward and ultimately uncool to randomly go and comment on the weather to that guy or girl next to you. Fear not people, COMSOC’s here to save the day. Now Im sure you guys don’t need us to teach you exactly how to make friends (dont be shy, smile and all that crap), but the best places to do that and hang out at UNSW will probably be a mystery to you all. Until now.
UNI TIPS & TRICKS
U N I
Location 3 & 4: Library / Quadrangle Lawn
Location 1: Tutorial Rooms No, we’re serious. To be honest, no one is here at university for the sole purpose of making friends. Some people come, goto class, leave and the socialising is sandwiched in between like a thin slice of ham.
Nothing beats lying on your buttocks under the sun and thankfully, UNSW provides not one, but two fat lawn patches for your...er...tanning pleasures. It simply is an irresistable sanctuary for many students to chat, study, or even enjoy some mini ball games during those hard earned breaks.
Therefore, the best place to start a conversation with someone without looking desperate, is at tutorials. Ask your neighbour questions, even if your have to play dumb, crack some jokes...you know the rest. The Library Lawn in all its Glory.
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Oh yeh. The Quad Lawn’s big alright.
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UNI TIPS & TRICKS
Situated next to the CLB, the Badabagan is renowned as a convenient retreat for many Commerce and Economics students. Essentially a foodcourt, it offers a variety of cuisines to satisfy even the most demanding of stomachs. The stools just outside, opposite the John Goodsell building, also offers ambient tranquility for those relaxing pre / post lecture conversations. Furthermore, the toilets are right next to you. What more could you ask for?
Location 6: Roundhouse The Roundhouse is one interesting structure. Not only is it a regular supply of alcohol to students via the Unibar, it is also a popular venue for concerts, parties and gatherings of all kinds. From table tennis comps to pool comps to poster sales, you name it, it’s there. Heck its even held a poker comp before to quench your thirst for gambling sweat. Surf over to www. unswroundhouse.com to checkout whats on.
F
irst years are often forced to face the dilemma of choosing the best way to travel to and from uni. Excluding those lucky ones who cruise contol their way to uni by car, the majority of us will generally travel on the 891 / 895 from Central every morning. For the First Years, the following is a brief outline of the UNSW Express Bus system:
UNI TIPS & TRICKS
BUS TRANSPORT
Location 5: Badabagan
The Bus Trip - 891 / 895: The 891 / 895 buses both from Eddy Ave near Central Station, and UNSW (Anzac Parade & High St), for those who dont know, are the UNSW Express buses. These will take you from Central to uni, and vice versa, in approximately 20-25mins depending on traffic. Although there are at least 10 bus routes to the uni campus, the express buses are by far the most convenient method. Tickets can be bought before you hop on the bus, but it’s generally a better idea to equip yourself with a Travelten or Travelpass, a quicker and cheaper alternative. Eddy Ave is bombarded with the buses in the early morning but they come at an average of 5min intervals after 10am. To play it safe, arrive at Central at least 30mins before classtime.
This + Tons of People = Euphoria.
Handy 891 / 895 Info:
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From UNSw (Anzac PDe):
From UNSW (High St):
(Arrives every 10mins on avg)
(Arrives every 10mins on avg)
Buses Begin: Buses Finish:
Buses Begin: Buses Finish:
12:10pm 9:20pm
From Central: (arrives every 5mins on avg) Buses Begin: 7:30am buses Finish: 2:00pm
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12:10pm 7:10pm
891 / 895 Bus Service not available on Weekends and Public Holidays, but operates on a slower basis through UNSW holidays.
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UNI TIPS & TRICKS
W
hen you’re out and about prancing through the corridors of the Colonnade, and merrily skipping through the fields of the Quadrangle chasing your future lover, it may be moderately difficult to remove that one splinter at the back of your mind…. Study. If you want to come out of uni with decent grades to impress your prospective employer, yet avoid being the next contestant in the next episode of ‘Beauty and the Geek’ you better read on. And just a side note, COMSOC does not hold any liability if you happen to fail. (May be a tad unconventional)
1. It’s about Studying Smart, not Studying Hard. The typical uni student fresh out of high school may be quite used to getting spoon fed every single bit of the syllabus of every subject. One might be used to going through one chapter from a range of 2-3 weeks. But, na-ah, when you’re at uni it’s more like 2-3 chapters per week. But wait, before you fret and start to frantically pull out your study material, remember it’s not necessary to be 110% ready for each tutorial. Pace yourself. Uni is definitely more about self-study than having someone teach you / being taught by someone.
UNI TIPS & TRICKS
STUDY
Hence, Rice Recommends: - Using your connections. If you have a friend who has already done the subject, grab tips, grab their tutorial answers, grab their test papers. Even if it doesn’t help you get tutorial participation marks, it’ll still give you an idea of what the important topics are. If you do not happen to have a friend you can leech off of, how about making one? =)
You know you don’t actually have to study all of this... This folks, is a Lecture Theatre. For the lazy ones, this will most likely be the only time you’ll ever see one. Cherish it.
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UNI TIPS & TRICKS
2. Exams and Such.
Ok, I might have taken that out of context, but hey, if you study better from textbooks and if you think you’re more productive when you’re not at a lecture, go for it. Just remember, last lectures of the semester are important in giving you exam tips.
First years, if you are reading this, trruuusst me on this, DO YOUR PRACTICE PAPERS for your exams! Especially ECON 1101, ECON 1102 (Economics). If you just ignored me, you’re a FOOL! Let’s just say the questions could be rather similar. So, take my advice, and DO IT.
- If you’re in first year, going to a PASS class may be quite useful. Well, in all honesty it depends on your tutor, if he’s good, stick around, you learn better from someone about your age because you probably think the same way. They have some really good notes, plus, they can give you ‘insider’ tips.
Even if you are not in first year, past papers are always a handy tool to get a glimpse of the type of questions that’ll be in the exam, and what is important. Past papers can be found on the UNSW library website: http://info.library.unsw.edu.au/
UNI TIPS & TRICKS
- Confucious once said…. “Don’t go to lectures.”
3. This and That. - Borderline cheating (but not technically!) – if you have a friend in an class with the same tutor, chances are, you can probably get some excellent tips from them.
- One should get involved in COMSOC. The COMSOC forum is a buzzing arena of games, chat interactions and exam notes. Why not trade? - Are your study patterns nocturnal? And can you absolutely not study at home? The computer rooms at the quad have 24 hour access, but don’t forget your student ID, you’ll need to swipe yourself in.
1ST YEAR CORE SUBJECTS DIFFICULTY CHART ( PERSONAL OPINION )
MICRO
- Textbooks burning a hole in your pocket? 2nd hand books is the way to go! Either check out the COMSOC Website’s Textbook Corner, OR visit www.textbookexchange.com.au, OR physically post an ad outside the second-hand bookstore at the quad.
MACRO ACCT 1A ACCT 1B QMA
THAT‛S IT FROM US GUYS!
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GOOD LUCK! HARD
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THE COMMONER
Y
ou made it through primary. You made it through high school. Can you make it through uni? For the last year or so, you’ve been the big fish in the little pond but come the end of February, you’re going to be the fish that gets thrown into the big blue ocean, freely swimming amongst the sharks, jellyfish, whales and plankton. Like Arthur Dent was always told: Don’t Panic (and just to make sure, don’t forget your towel!). So, being the lovely person I am, let me say a few words on exploring the ocean. It might seem a bit blunt, but I never believed in lip service.
1. You’re on your own. Some of you may be used to independence, revelling in it and others may shy away from the fact that nobody is going to hold your hand through anything anymore. Unfortunately for the latter, you alone are responsible 18
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for enrolling, timetable-ing and deciding when to study; which brings me onto the next point.
2. Ask questions. Now having been described with an ego the size of a truck, I wouldn’t naturally advocate this point, but for first years, ask questions. If you don’t know where your faculty is – ask, if you don’t know where the restrooms are – ask, if you don’t know what subjects you are meant to enrol in – ASK. Nobody is going to judge what an idiot you are, the likely fact is that the person next to you didn’t know either so they might get the impression that you’re some fantastic outgoing person that they should get to know better.
3. Take the tour. What an opportunity to ask questions (see above!). Take as many tours as possible. It might sound so clichéd, but I’ll just say it anyways: you’re bound to meet people from your faculty and people that you’ll end up seeing and hopefully sitting with in
4. Attend lectures and tutorials. Tutorials are mandatory; attend at least 80% (check with the course outline). Lectures are not mandatory, but quite useful come exam time. Remember, you are responsible for your learning – or lack of.
Go to the Mid Session Party. Go to the End of Session Party. Go to the Commerce Camp, Cruise and Ball. You’ll meet people, have a fun time and most importantly, you’ll be living up the uni years. You’ll go away with memories apart from just endless nights slaving away at the desk all for that piece of paper in the end.
THE COMMONER
If you are going to read anything this semester, then read this.
BY : JESSICA CHUI
Get Into It !
lectures. For most people, this is the first contact point for meeting new people. And nobody can have too many friends, can they?
Don’t forget that uni is about fun. So go forth and explore the big ocean that you’re in. Cheers! And I’ll see you around.
5. Join a society. Uni is a big place with lots of people and there will be those few that you cannot get along with. To save yourself from that experience (unless of course, you get some sort of kick from that), join a club / society and you’re guaranteed to meet someone with at least one same interest as you. Join as many clubs as you like and there’s one bound to tickle your fancy.
6. Party. Go to the Start of Session Party.
Jessica’s cool. She knows it. Tell her you know it too. comunieco@unswcomsoc.com
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WRONG PERCEPTIONS
T
ake a stance in life. Life is full of crap. The cycle of education to our career to retirement is a faked orgasm called benevolence. In primary a child is told about the crap of life and why they are in school. This is a feeble motivation ploy for them to continue schooling until at least after the school certificate. In high school you see the crap that is ahead of you. High school subjects [eg. Economics, Food
Technology (the reason why education is so highly funded; to replace broken chairs from lard butts) and Maths act as a 20
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reinforcement to inspire you into furthering your education and increasing the country’s potential GDP prospects (the more educated the population, the more smiley faces the government has and the longer we have to see some undeniable courting by our nation’s leader). In university we learn the crap that we need to help create smiley faces. In our career we apply the crap that we learnt in university. At the end of the journey we eventuate at the other end of the crap also known as retirement. It is just one crap after the next. It is really simple: in primary we are told the crap, in high school we get to see the crap, in uni we learn the crap and in our career we apply the crap. This rat race of transition descends upon us when parents place us on a miniature-made-in-china seat with a miniature-made-in-china table. The relationship becomes our first friend; our first lover; and for some, their first marriage. It is love at first sight when the study carrel finds that it needs you and you need it – it is at equilibrium. You spend so much time with it and soon you begin to have lunch
WRONG PERCEPTIONS
Have you ever had sexual preferences for study carrels? Have you thought of study carrels as your lovers? If you are in a relationship, you are cheating on your partner!
BY : LESLIE WONG
The Journey...scared yet ?
and dinner together. Each study carrel has its own drawings and literature which carry its own interpretations. Some declaring love to humans and some…well use your imagination. UNSW have the right idea. As students we have the opportunity to get a first hand experience of crap when completing major examinations at the Randwick Racecourse (I don’t know about you, but it’s a case of SSDD). Life literally is crap when the number of times we crap accounts for the number of days we have lived. The resolution; become more responsive and spontaneous. Allow for true benevolence for periods in between the times where crap happens and the times when you weren’t the one who fell in… Crap count: 16 Pictures Taken by Leslie Wong all come from the study carrels of UNSW 3rd Level desks. It is a tribute to those who wrote them.
Leslie needs a shave. Remind him. comunieco@unswcomsoc.com
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VERBAL DIARRHOEA
S
econds tick, minutes go by, and months seem to fall off calendars faster than foliage on an autumn’s tree. And before we can say ‘SLOW DOWN’, time accelerates us into the future at a rate of sixty minutes an hour, 24 hours a day, subtly stealing our youth and forcing us to succumb to the dreadful notion of adulthood. This, coupled with the inability to find a mechanical and physical mean to travel back in time or stop time, compels us to face the end of our beloved summer break, as well as the beginning of a new year at the University of New South Wales.
“
So one ponders the query that is why should we drag ourselves to university day in day out? What drives us to shift our lazy behinds to the campus jungle that is UNSW and stay there? A factor that comes into contemplation is obligation, that is, the obligation to endure the hours of lectures, tutorials and exams in an attempt to achieve an acceptable mark that will one day allow us to graduate and become employed workers in the workforce, the pride of the family, and the envy of all relatives. And although this may become tedious as a result of hours of travel in sweaty and stench filled conditions, it is made bearable at least by ‘substantially’ clean toilets on campus that do not make you regret not taking the extra ten minutes at home.
...the steps and stairs of UNSW will be sure to burn off those calories...
For many, especially fellow first years, this new start is anticipated with excitement and enthusiasm. But while many look forward to the change university life brings, there are those that cling onto the past and the familiar, whom find the thought of the new semester both daunting and nauseating. 22
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”
And what makes us stay? As gluttonous creatures of the world, food plays a major influence. Although it is unlikely UNSW will become a hot spot for Sunday
VERBAL DIARRHOEA
Are you spending your time wisely?
BY : SHIRLEY WENG
“Tick...Tock”
night dinners and romantic gourmet meals, the diverse range of food from numerous cultures that UNSW offers is a convenient way to satisfy the taste buds of fussy eaters. And while many may feel guilty from the sin that is gluttony, one may be absolved knowing that the steps and stairs of UNSW will be sure to burn off those calories as well as work towards providing a tight and firm finish. But whether we attend for the obligation, or stay for the food and the exercise, we realise that life at university will probably be the best times of our lives before we are driven into the complexities of what lies ahead. And so, instead of fearing the turning clocks of time, let’s embrace this new beginning and welcome the future adventures with open arms, because sooner or later, it’ll hurtle by you into the past.
Shirley prefers Woolies over Coles. Do you? comunieco@unswcomsoc.com
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WHATS HOT & WHATS NOT
WHATS
HOT
WHATS
- Sunglasses around campus
- Sunglasses worn in lecture theatres - don’t be a tosser, and whilst we’re here, put the shirt collar back down. Please.
- “The Stig” slogan t-shirts (but only on a reasonably buff body - sorry!) - Hugh Grant as 80’s bygone 80’s popstar - it’s soo kitsch it hurts.
NOT
&
- “Vote for Pedro” slogan t-shirts. - Sasha Cohen Baron as Borat (let’s think of that man V-kini....)
THE It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon, so Kelvin decided to go for a drive with his dad. Unfortunately, the two of them suffered a severe car crash. The father died instantly and Kelvin was consequently rushed to hospital. Kelvin needed an immediate operation, yet there was an unexpected shock when the doctor arrived. “Oh My God! Its my son!” the doctor cried. How is this possible?
(Answer in next issue...)
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