Un’hinged: The Call of Nature

24. ARTWORK: Yige Xu un‘hinged’: the call of nature

ALEX BEKIER EDITED BY ELIZABETH WALKER

Whether it be Tinder, Hinge, Grindr or even Hater, an app that matches you with people based on your mutual dislikes, dating apps are ubiquitous at uni. Despite a veritable cornucopia of people in campus bars and cafés, tutorials and libraries, they are still one of the most frequently used methods of finding a lover. Even if just for a night.

But does anyone find anything more than a good story or a passing fling?

After some polling of my peers on their experiences with dating apps, within minutes, I had received enough reports to keep myself busy all night. From the classic ‘tall tales’ about one’s height, to the borderline concerning; girls returning from the bathroom, only to find their date going through their cupboards. Or else, seven separate women, all of whom had been asked on a date by the exact same man, and all of whom were all cancelled on, just hours before the respective dates were supposed to take place. Yikes.

Given these seemingly universally poor experiences, why are dating apps so pervasive on campus? Is it an effect of the pandemic?

At first glance, that seems likely. According to the government’s own statistics, in April of 2020, 70% of young people surveyed said the pandemic had negatively affected their social connectedness. 75% of those also reported negative effects on their mental health. Additionally, The Black Dog Institute reported that 66.4% of their respondents reported fewer social connections on the whole, as a result of the pandemic. So it tracks that more young people may be reaching for greater connections, regardless of what form it may come in.

However, research done in 2021 by Dr Jacqueline Coombe, of the University of Melbourne, just isn’t compatible with this conclusion. With dating app usage actually decreasing by 14.8% during lockdown compared to 2019, pandemic-fuelled swiping can’t be the only allure. So why then are people turning to them?

The answer may lie in an abundance of profiles, with up to 15% of Australians apparently active on Tinder. I’ll be the first to admit it, I find the immediate validation rewarding. Swiping through hundreds of profiles cultivates a sense of godlike power. A 2020 study from the University of Western Sydney’s 2020 study agrees - 40.4% of people who use ‘swipe-based dating apps,’ reported a positive impact on self-esteem.

On the other hand, not everyone has a god complex, and behaviour goes both ways. Sexologist Dr. Keely Kolmes admits that for some, dating apps “invite us to depersonalise people...by not looking at the whole person and really just going based on an image.” This is in line with a 2016 study, which found that on average, Tinder users had lower self-esteem and more body image issues than others.

If these statistics are disheartening to you, you mightn’t be the only one. Is it possible that sleazy reputations and horror stories marr the truth, and in fact, these apps really can yield results?

There is something to be said for the role of ‘swipe-based dating apps’ in circumventing the romantic gatekeeping that is common on university campuses. A survey in 2017 conducted by Relationships Australia, concluded that 15% of people surveyed had found a long-term partner on a dating app. Another by the Australia Talks National Survey from the ABC, reported that 35% of people found their current partner online.

However, like any ecosystem, the online dating system has its predators and prey like any other. As many possibilities as there are, there are equally as many motivations. In the midst of all of this, when deciding whether to swipe or not to swipe, you have to ask yourself:

Is all this worth it just to end up hiding from your old matches in Chifley Library?

how to survive first year - a guide

KAROLINA KOCIMSKA

You’ve made it to uni. Accepted the enrolment offer and completed the relevant documentation, moved into your college room or figured out how to get to campus from your house in the Canberra ‘burbs. What’s next?

Well, from someone who had a bit of a tough time in their first year (I moved back home to take time off afterwards) here is some advice to help you avoid even considering that as an option:

Join Something Whether it’s a club, sport, the Literature Society, or Engineering Students Association, these groups are a great way to branch out beyond the friendship group you’ve fallen into at college or know from school. Some of the greatest friends that I’ve made at uni, I’ve gotten to know through ANU Snowsports (shameless plug). Go to Market Day, suss the vibes, and be ready to sign up.

Connect with Yourself There is so much going on all the time. Deadlines, college drama, doing your own laundry. Carving out some space to do something for you will be grounding and calming. My ‘me time’ in first year was going to the gym, doing a solo radio show at Woroni, and visiting the pool (sauna) in the late afternoon (when the sunlight streams through the windows).

Go to class (where COVID safe) Even though rolling out of bed to go to that 9 am lecture is the least appealing thing anyone could imagine, turning up to class and seeing your lecturer and all the other students studying the same thing has a way of grounding you in the community and the experience of learning. A lecture buddy might turn into a lifelong friend, and your lecturer could be the recommendation you need to score a job later on. It won’t happen unless you turn up.

Ask for Help There are so many unexpected challenges that come with being at university, and it’s impossible to navigate them all on your own. Reach out to the people around you: SRs, course reps, ANU Counselling, or the person who looks like they know where on campus they are. The ANU has a range of resources available for a myriad of situations, so don’t be afraid to make use of them.

(Try to) Develop Good Study Habits I feel so boring recommending that you do your weekly reading before class, but that is how you’ll get the most out of the tutorials. Learning is incredibly fulfilling, and if you put in the work now, second, third, and fourth year will be a lot easier. The ANU Semester planner (found online) is a godsend. So is Google Calendar. You can also book appointments with the Academic Skills team who will help you elevate your assessments.

Stay in the Know Join ANU Schmidtposting on Facebook, like the ANUSA page (and Woroni page too x), and regularly browse the Canberra events section. I will also plug ANU Crushes here. Keep an eye on your student emails too.

Smile and Say Hello Sometimes you just gotta go up to that cutie in Marie Reay and complement their band tee. Or ask the person you always sit next to in tutes if they want to get a coffee. I was at a party and saw a girl I had always seen at the gym, went up to her and said hello, and now we are good friends. Hi Jemma. It’s hard and scary, occasionally you will get rejected. But if you can’t do it at uni, when can you?

Accept that things will change University is a time for self-discovery, growth and so many new experiences. Along with that comes change. You may realise the degree you had chosen no longer aligns with where you want to go or that you’ve outgrown your boyfriend/girlfriend/partner from high school. That’s okay. All you can do is be honest with yourself and take each day one at a time. Be open to trying new things, and to admitting that sometimes things are hard. It just takes a moment of vulnerability, and the person next to you is probably going through the same thing. Coming to ANU means you can immerse yourself in the fantastic community. There is space for you here. You’ve got this.