Are you ready for the second semester?

The second semester has come before we even realized it!  I hope each of you have enjoyed your holiday break and are ready to get started for this semester.
Here are a few tips and tricks to make this semester work for you.

11.    Keep a Weekly Planner

 This will help you schedule your classes, meals and time out to enjoy and relax.

22.Spend Wisely 

Create a budget for the most important things, such as rent, food and tuition.

33.  Attend All Classes

Guests lecture or videos can seem like an easy excuse to not attend, but some professors use this for exam material.

44.  Stay Connected

Get involved. Whether you live on campus or off, join a club to make new friends, gain new experiences and learn new skills.

 5. Speak up if you need help!

There are many services available to students on campus, ranging from health care to peer tutors.

Study and writing skills- Academic Development Centre.

Time management skills- Academic Development Centre.

Do you need help with F7 case? Contact your Campus SRC for assistance.

lets help you manage your money

When it comes to students and money (or lack thereof...), it can be tough to make your funds last until the end of term. To help ensure budgeting becomes second nature, it's good to get prepared early. Sometimes as student we find managing money trickier than expected and some of us are struggling financially. Get set for student money management with this top 9 , covering what to remember to factor into your budget. 

1. Course materials

Starting university comes with a fair few upfront costs, including course materials. Most first years  spend more than expected on extras such as books

and arts materials. Here are some of the ways you can save.

Whenever possible buy second-hand textbooks book from senior students…and sell them once you've finished with them! Find out which texts do you actually need to buy? You can also visit the library to see which ones you can borrow.

2. Transport

Whether it's a bus to lectures or travelling back home for the holidays, you'll need to factor in travel costs. To help, there are student discounts out there to help you reduce the costs of getting around, check for students’ discounts on the coach fare and pay less.

3. Food

It’s true that students live off baked beans and bread –but it is possible to eat normally and healthily whatever your budget. Here are a couple of pointers to get you started:

•        Prevent impulse buys in the supermarket by making a shopping list – and sticking to it.

•               Cook in bulk and freeze. This way nothing gets wasted, it works out a lot cheaper and you always have a back-up plan when the cupboards are bare!
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•              Make packed lunches for cheaper meals on the go.

If you cannot afford food, visit the SRC to find out how you can get assisted through the Student Meal Assistance programme.

4. Entertainment

From orientation week, to Stones, Varsity Cup or a quick catch-up with friends - the cost of socialising can soon mount up. Try and allocate yourself so much a week during term time for 'entertainment'. Being sociable doesn't have to be expensive - think nights in with housemates, free events, student meal discounts or the famous Jabulani special or even two-for-one cinema nights. Find out offer deals on cheap days and nights out including theme park visits, cinema and theater trips and eating out.

5. Utilities

If you’re on campus residence, utilities such as electricity and water are included as part of your rent - but that might not be the case if you're staying in a private house such as a commune. Along with your rent, you'll need to put aside a certain amount each month to cover utility bills. And there is only one way to manage this bill…use less energy.  And of course, there are lots of steps you can take to reduce your electricity use such as:

•         Be sure your television, radio and stereo are off when no one is watching or listening.
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•         Close doors and windows when using a heater.
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•          Turn off electronics
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•       Electronics guzzle lots of power even when they’re turned off. Stop wasting electricity: Plug them into a power strip, and then turn off the strip.
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•      Follow these tips and cut your energy bill.

6. Internet

This is another cost you'll often have covered in on-campus residence, but will need to factor in if you're in a commune. You can save money by doing most of your online work on-campus because there is free Wi-Fi after all.

8. Toiletries

You might not have realised this until you became a student…Toiletries are hella expensive! So set enough aside for the basics, and look out for special offers and save by buying value brands.

 9. Clothes

It’s tempting once you get your allowance to head straight to the shops but you'll regret blowing your clothes budget in the first week. Save money by:

·         Skip expensive workout clothes. You will get the same workout whether you wearing expensive yoga pants or an old t-shirt and sweat pants.

·         Avoid trendy clothes:  They cost more and have a short shelf life. You could spend hundreds trying to keep up with fashion only to find out you don’t love the item a few months later. Stick to classic styles and basic pieces.

·          Buy out of season: You can save a lot of money by buying a coat in September or swim wear in May.

·         Repurpose old clothes, for example, cut your old jeans and turn them into shorts.

 What other tips do you have on managing money? Let us know?

6 things no one will tell you about university

What exactly is University like? We’ve all heard the rumours and stereotypes and rumours about university (e.g.  crazy parties, roommate problems, etc.). Some of what you hear is true and some aren’t, and first years can’t help believe them all until proven wrong. As you begin your first few months at UJ, here are some things to keep in mind that you may or may not have been told about, and hopefully they help you navigate and understand varsity life a little better.

    1. IT’S OKAY TO FEEL INSECURE

During my first term (a million years ago,) life was pretty difficult. I was surrounded by extremely intelligent and talented individuals who had accomplished so many things before university. It made me feel incompetent. I started questioning my own abilities, and often thought I wasn’t good enough. I can tell you now, you are not alone! If you’re feeling a bit insecure, don’t feel bad! You will soon get over it and you will realise your potential. It might take time, but you’ll find what you love and what’s important to you. That’s all that really matters in the end.

     2.  WEIGHT GAIN

Weight gain during your first year is actually pretty accurate. Not for everyone, but it’s true.

When you have a meal plan and a university with student centre that feels like you have just walked into a buffet style dining hall, it’s difficult not to get carried away. I gained 5 KG during first year. See…it’s normal. What isn't common knowledge is that students can actually lose weight during their first year too. I had a friend who lost a lot of weight during her first year. She wanted to avoid spending money, so she would hardly buy food. In other words, she was always hungry, and that’s not good either. Her advice? “Do not starve yourself. You’ll eventually figure out what meal plan is right for you, hold back on overeating, or maybe fit workouts into your weekly schedule, and joint the UJ Gym available on all 4 campuses. “

I couldn't have said it better myself.

 3. DON’T BUY ALL YOUR BOOKS AT THE UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE

It’s more convenient, yes. But don’t if you can get the book from somewhere else. Like the hundreds of senior students selling their used text book at discounted prices. But always check what books you’ll need for a class ahead of time and if the textbooks they are selling are still being used. I did this on my first year and trust me textbooks I needed for classes were always cheaper there than at my university bookstore.

 

4. YOUR FREEDOM IS BOTH A CURSE AND A BLESSING

I’m sure you have heard this a couple of times before…in case you are wondering it’s the truth. At university you can do whatever you want. Wake up any time you want, sleep all you want, eat whenever, hang out all day every day, study all day every day. Varsity is way different from high school because you have the chance to schedule your day (besides classes’ schedules). Awesome right? What they don’t tell you is that it can be extremely difficult at times to prioritize and manage your time properly. The amount of freedom you have can be overwhelming. Too much fun or too much studying isn’t good either. You might not find the perfect balance between responsibilities and fun until much later on. But one thing I have learnt there can never be a balance between your academic and social life, one has to take priority and if you want that degree or diploma your academics will take charge.

5. MAKING FRIENDS MAY TAKE SOME TIME

As a first year, your roommate can be your first friends in varsity, but truth is not everyone becomes best friends with their roomie, and it’s common. Sometimes it takes time making friends and finding the people you want to hang out with. Where do you start? Try out for the UJ Choir, join a day house, join a club. Do things you have a passion for. You’re bound to meet someone who has the same interests as you, and you’ll build better friendships that way.

6. YOU DON’T HAVE TO HAVE YOUR FUTURE FIGURED OUT

Yes, You don’t. During my first year I met people  who knew from day one what they wanted to do with their lives. I, on the other hand, had no idea. You’ll meet both kinds of people and others who fall in-between the “career” spectrum. University gives you the chance to explore and learn about what you like, what you don’t like, the type of people you want to surround yourself with, and most importantly, university gives you the opportunity to networking. Taking full advantage of these opportunities is one of the best things you can do during your time in UJ.

What are some things you've learned within these few weeks, that you wish you knew sooner? 

Let’s help you make friends in UJ

Avoid letting the unfamiliarity of the place scare you out of meeting new people because there are plenty of effortless ways to make friends in university even if you are a natural introvert. You may not be one of the most social individuals on the planet but your stay in UJ is the time to make connections and get to know others whether you like it or not. It’s better to establish relationships before everyone forms their own little circle of friends and you end up on the outs. If you are worried about socializing and need a few tips, here are a few easy ways to make friends at UJ.

Attend events
What’s so great about our university is that there is always something going on, especially during the first couple of weeks of school starting. So attend the socials and mingle because as of now everyone is on the same boat. Everyone is trying to make friends and find their place on campus! Attend the RAG Week activities,  who knows?  you could be a social butterfly in a matter of hours.

Initiate contact
Whether you are sitting next to someone in class, standing in line for food or just passing by, introduce yourself to others with a friendly face! Trust me, in the first few weeks, this is not weird at all. Everyone will reciprocate your attempt at friendship, so the more effort you put into your social game, the better off you will be.

Take advantage of the First Year Seminar (FYS)

The university hold Orientation Week before the  first week of school and usually it is filled with fun events, shows and information sessions so that you get the feel of the campus, learn more about the school, find guidance from seniors and make meaningful connections with other first years . Use this as your time to be great.

Join a club

There are lots of societies that you can join that will appeal to your interests. It’s a great way to pursue your hobbies and meet other people who are passionate about the same thing you are. Plus having meetings will only strengthen your connections and assure some growth in your social scene.

Exchange numbers

No matter how many people you meet in one day, chances are that you will probably never see them again. And this is very typical on big campuses so unless you are okay with one-time introductions, exchange numbers! This is the only way you can guarantee further contact.

Making friends in varsity is harder for some than it is for others, but in reality it is up to how much effort you are willing to put into using your social skills, Yes, it might require some change in attitude, but you wont regret it, You may meet some of the best people during your varsity years! How do you usually make friends in a new environment?