Letter to Younger Self

My Dearest Friend,

Well done! You have arrived safely at the destination that took so much work, plotting and planning to reach. You have worked so very hard to get where you are now and you seem to be settling in, even if it is a little awkwardly. Do not worry about the loneliness and if you miss home, that is very natural and in a month, the place will feel like your real home.
I am also glad to hear that you have made a few new friends. They may come across as an odd bunch at first but I promise that the moment you scratch the thin surface, they are nothing but a goldmine of laughter and support. They will become your world and allow you to do something that no one else has ever allowed you to do, delve into the depths of your imagination an share it because they do the same on at least a weekly basis. You will have spectacular times filled with laughter and fun and not a little camaraderie so do not worry, the moment you find these friends you will not go back and you may even find yourself wanting to stay instead of returning home.
The only advice I can truly give you is not to forget the friends of old that came with you. You may find yourself drifting apart and finding new interests and friends but do not lose a friendship because of that. Those friends were the ones there from the start so keep them dear and keep them close. If what I want to tell you can be summed up in one sentence, it would be embrace the new while keeping firm contact with the old.

Other than then, enjoy yourself and work as hard as you can. It is not as easy as it seems.

I hope I shall see you in the future,

Your friend,
Me.

Letter to Younger Self

To my unfortunate, naïve friend

If you thought the clicks dissolved in highschool, producing mature, educated youths, you were sadly mistaken! When you make friends during Orientation week, just remember that you're probably drunk for the majority of the week and yes, your judge of character isn't at its peak. When you arrive at university it's a fresh start. A chance to make new friends, the opportunity to create an elevated lifestyle. So you want to make a hot first impression. So does everyone else. Before you decide on an elite group of close friends- you know the one that is your family from home- get to know them first; they may turn out to be normal or you could get stuck with self righteous juveniles. A word of caution: when picking friends, don't make any decisions based on first impressions. You'll regret it later. Im sure that, by now, you're familiar with common concept that people tend to show their true colours when they're drunk. Don't make excuses for friends who turn into complete psychos when they are drunk- there are probably severely damned characteristics that scream out “I'm an undercover wackjob”! You have to ask yourself, with friends like these, who needs enemies? Even if you were one of those oddballs in highschool who didn't conform to the usual clicks, like the jocks or the socialites, there's still hope for you. If you are lucky , you find a small group of people who accept you, flaws and all, for who you are. Although these people are as common as rare stones, they tend to find you in times of great need. Making the right friends in first year is a difficult challenge. The only way to do so is to learn from your mistakes, take the good and the bad in your stride. At the end of the day, finding friends illuminates your university experience.

Regards,

More the wise

Letter to younger self

Dear Smooth operator.

Hey tough guy! How have you been? I’m doing well! I keep my nose far from girl’s sweet scented trickery, I know it smells good but that’s it. Curiosity is such a bad thing!
Looking back on this year I can see where it all started – “let’s go meet some girls?” I thought…ah they can’t be that dangerous. Yeah. So I found myself meandering down towards the club. At the door I met this third year girl giving me my stamp…wow, she’s hot!
I remember waking up the next morning and she was next to me. I smiled nervously at her like when you are caught staring, and she smiled back sweetly. No, I’m not talking about loosing my virginity – I’m talking about being fresh, easy meat for seasoned citizens!
Surprised that it can happen to guys? Don’t be. You see, no one really mentions it to you before you come to university. Take it from me, its real! Like, no one said anything, nor did they try and stop me. I thought I was so smooth taking her home not realizing that it was the other way round – she was taking ME home! Sounds cool huh? I bagged and older girl! Wait.
So I thought it was going somewhere, but sadly no one told me what would happen next. “You’re a first year – how will it work?” She carried on with life and got a new first year and what was I left with? Nothing really, besides feeling like a used teabag! All my mates could say was, “We thought you knew?” I was literally picked and exchanged as if she was trying shoes!! So be smarter, if you looking for relationships, by all means get stuck in; but be smart about where you are looking for them.

Yours truly
A little more clued up bitter guy!

Letter to younger self

Dearest Ashleigh,

I remember you being so excited to go to Rhodes. The thoughts of no parents, plenty of parties, the making of new friends from all over the country and a course you want to be doing not have to be doing overwhelmed you.

But what you will find is that time is short, despite the potential of having a lot more free time than what you’re used to. With a more lenient timetable you’d think you’d have freedom to do as you like, but you are inundated with lectures, tutorials, essays and assignments and still have to maintain a social life, mixing with the near boys’ residences, joining and attending society socials or participating in a sport. The balance between your academic and social life is important to maintain especially when there are no parents or teachers to motivate and supervise.

It is up to you to meet deadlines and learn time management, especially since you are wanting to do Journalism and Media Studies where you will be constantly writing and handing things in. It is important to realise that the foundation is laid down in your first year so you’ll learn the basics, take note of these and try work a few days in advance so there is time to go over what you’ve written, as attention to detail is an important aspect of writing.

University is meant to be fun and enjoyed and for you to learn along the way. You will make mistakes and will probably learn the hard way, but at least you learn. It is important to just do your best and expect nothing less from yourself. Remember you have an incredible support system behind you.

All the best,

Ashleigh

RU a survivor?

Welcome, welcome, welcome to our parlour ... no just our blog. University is a scary place that can be intimidating before you even get here. Matric has you frazzeled, everyone has a comment on your future and everyone expects you to know exactly what you are doing and what you will do for the rest of your life. It can be a very unnerving thing so this blog is here to help you survive the process.

We are four almost not first years who have been through it all and are here to spread what we have learnt over the process. We are here to help so keep checking and we wont leave you hanging...

Cheers!

P.S. Just for fun...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q_7QG2d528