soldiers(warriors)

This comment is not literally but figuratively in a way that these are very similar issues being a first year at varsity being referred to as a soldier or being on a ground field as a soldier on war, a very hectic one. Your mission as a soldier is to fight for your independence or life survivorship on a particular environment, being a soldier means that you are a conqueror and you are not scared of whatever obstacles you face as a living human being. As a first year at varsity you show that you are strong and looking forward to fight every challenge that comes on your way as well on a battlefield of soldiers fighting for a country’s independence or freedom. A combatant’s mission is to achieve whatever legitimacy or great wishes of his or her goals or a country. A living combatant is a soldier, a soldier is the person that is full of courage in life and they show hope that they will succeed
http://www.goarmy.com/life/being_a_soldier.jsp

It's me Bitches!!!

This is a shout out to all the ladies who have made this year a wonderful experience for me. To Paula, my first roommate, we were united in alcohol from the word “go”, and I don’t think any guy has the power to tear us apart, and I hope you know that you have become like a sister to me. Then comes Zama, the one I took my first flight with, the one I hated and now…not-so-hate. LOL. When times are “roff” I know to turn to you. Zizipo, my “fag friend” (get it? It means cigarette as well as lesbian), the one I could pour my heart to knowing that I would receive first-class advice without the common stare or side-glance. Then there is the ‘mlungu’ (white person), Zara you have taught me all that a first year needs to in their survival. Be it good or bad (don’t take offence), but know that you have contributed in enriching my life and assisted in the understanding of the world at large. Bronnie, tough I have not spent a lot of time with you; I feel that your presence eludes reality (in a good way), your positive vibes have helped me escape the harsh reality the life tends to throw at us. And finally, my girlfriend, who isn’t really my girlfriend any longer, NandiPHA through you I have learnt that aggression is not always the solution and not to fear that which I feel. What I felt for you was not a façade or stage, I just don’t think you realised how far it ran. And to all the ladies I have not mentioned…Ashleigh, Jojo, Kelina, Dianne and KG, I love you guys, all in all you have made my stay here a memorable one. No one can do it like the ANNEXE girls!

Similarities United

Often I find that people tend to over exaggerate about leaving home and coming to a new place with new people. Imagine first-year as a gas chamber, and the newcomers as the Jews that were gassed in the holocaust. The main objective is to survive and, although I found no blog that related to our blog character I felt that metaphors could be used to explain the connection between this blog and that created by holocaust survivors the and first-year students. In fact, I would like people to notice the deliberate over exaggeration as I depict the horrors one experiences in varsity, especially as a first-year student who is trying to adapt in a new environment. Of course, one cannot compare the hardships Hitler put the Jews through but I think I speak for most students when I say that dictators come in various shapes and sizes.

Just when we believe that we have grasped the freedom that we are entitled in varsity, there waddles a warden sitting you down and telling you that you consume too much alcohol. Just when will we escape? It makes question whether the freedom that people talk about is a reality or is waiting for someone to make it all come true. Who will become our Schindler? The fact remains that no matter how hard we try,we ought to appease a higher power in life. Although Hitler was a short brunette, he managed to brainwash a whole nation in the proposition of an Aryan(blonde and blue-eyed) race. This not only shows the stupidity portrayed by Germans but also that "struggle is the father of all things. It is not by the principles of humanity that man lives or is able to preserve himself above the animal world, but solely by means of the most brutal struggle. If you do not fight, life will never be won."(Adolf Hitler) Ironic,isn't it?that a man with fewer brain cells than my nephew could speak such powerful words, words that affected an army of Aryans...words that echo survival.

A.R.B

So I wake up this morning and notice an arb on my thigh. Although this made me laugh, I later realised that my laughing constitutes to my “don’t-care-attitude”. This is when it comes to my body and Alcohol-Related Bruises. In an attempt to make myself feel better, I thought about all the other times I have noticed arbs on my body. Or, more interestingly, how many times have you walked around campus and seen someone with arbs all over their body after a hectic weekend? The sad truth is that every Monday morning, I bare witness to the sad state Rhodes learner’s bodies are in. Gone are the days when I would post a blog that relates to surviving Rhodes life. I have come to understand that these people don’t want to survive. In fact, they engage in dangerous activities such as a night at The Rat & Parrot. And they occasionally find themselves in unsafe places such as EQ. So why provide a manual for future students who will probably fall into the same trap? There are “the crackling boys” (you know those boys in those school shorts, who wear vests no matter what the weather looks like) who join in Fraternities such as The Drinking Club. These boys get beaten up if they don’t finish a few bottles of alcohol to prove themselves as members. If that doesn’t ring any bells, these are the boys who walk around campus with an exam pad and one pen, walking OUT of each lecture hall and receiving LOA’s for being…themselves. How can I not mention “The union girls”, these are the girls who go to Rugby games not knowing who’s playing for what, and all they know about a try is when they’re TRYing to get into Friars for free. What never ceases to amaze me is that these girls have about R100 in their bags, yet they always go home with more than they came with. Of course, we have “the people from up the hill”, these people are the EQ-regulars, the ones who can turn anything into a club, and I mean anything…even the Kaif! Last but not least, we have the “Cantebury girls”, the land of milk and honey, the home of arbs, the makers of punch. If a Cantebury girl does not have a discount card for Prestons, chances are…she’s lying. So there we have it, ladies and gents! Who to blame when you have arbs? Why does it matter if you don’t remember?

First years prefer being at campus than at home

Basically what I’ve noticed being a first year is that first year student like to be at campus than being at home. I think the reason of this is that they feel independent here than at home because at home parents always give them rules and restrict them on doing things. What I’ve noticed merely is that first years like to be on their own rather being around their parents. My opinion will be mostly about my own point of view about first year’s preference to be at campus and I will look at the fact that why they prefer campus lifestyle than being at their homes.
At homes parents gives us policies to live our lives. Students are very grateful about their parent’s teachings and disciplines. It’s just the fact that they fill to be on their own at this age and parents always treat them like small children which that is what they do as wise. The independence they get at varsity is extremely precise what they want. First years at varsity usually go out each and every weekend; they don’t ask whose permission to do so they just do it. Compared when at home to do so they have to put pillows on their beds for the parents when checking them at their rooms and they go out by using a window and leave it open. Parents will always be parents even after matric they will always check on their children’s safety. When first years arrive at varsity, the day of arrival to them is like ‘wow’, I am finally on my own, my parents will only send me money and I will only see them during vacations. They become very happy in experiencing their freedom being out of their homes, they feel that they now have a second home, home away from home but they get to much comfortable in that, for example some first years even say when vacation is around the corner they don’t wish to go home.
Moving on, another fact is that first years can sometimes don’t know how to control their independency, they can party on and off two or three times a week and that can result on having bad academic results. They can get too over excited about their self-rules, some still live by their parents rules and teachings but some don’t. First years also like to experiment some ludicrous things, e.g. some can smoke marijuana or being a party animal just to experiment being a different character from what he or she used to be. The first year’s adaptation of the campus lifestyle appears even when there at home, the partying and not cooking. When their at home they usually get bored as they did not grow up there, they are now used in getting food from the dining halls those who stay at University residence, and those in digs cook whatever they want to eat. At home parents restrict things to use and what not to use. Most first years say that campus lifestyle rocks and studies can be maintained and sometimes not. To other first years the experience of being far away from home makes them sad but the majority is the opposite. Home sickness is not a particular thing to first years who have always wished to be far away from home. The choice to be at campus than being at home is very fond by the majority of first year Rhodes students.
To conclude, as I am also a first year but being the one who misses home, my friends and other first years I know prefer to be here at campus. They have strange moods when it comes to go home, they even lie to their parents that there extra activities occurring during the vacations so that parents can send them money to rent lodgings. I find it so strange when people don’t miss their homes or prefer to stay a weekend at their homes. Most of Rhodes first year students are happy to spend their time at campus, even during holidays but I guess they will change their minds at their second years.

The most common thing that all the first years have is writing their assignment the night before it is due. And this is sometimes not good because you don’t have enough time to go through all your readings and at the end of the day you end up submitting something that is not finished and that will results in having low marks, I am writing this because I myself do it and have noticed that I am not alone, majority of us first years do it. We have the tendency of relaxing and during the last minutes that is when we rush to the labs to go find information and we end up with the wrong information and were just write for the sake of submitting in time, we most of the times again rely on the information that we get on the net.

The other common thing that first years have is the consumption alcohol, first years love alcohol, they drink it as in like there is no tomorrow, some of the first years came to Rhodes not drinking alcohol and when they got here they started adapting to the lifestyle of the Rhodiants. But not all the students did that, some are still they way they where before they came to Rhodes, and the other thing is clubbing, that is the most common thing they all have , Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays are the days to go out, and normally when they went out on Wednesday they do not attend lectures they following day, Friday is worse because not many people go to lectures because they are in the mood for Friday, partying is all in their heads and they wont concentrate during lectures, so they find it unnecessary to go to lectures and chill at the kaif instead.

The kaif is also the most tempting place to be at, most first years like sitting there, especially on Fridays and not attend lectures. Adapting to Rhodes lifestyle was quite easy for most students, going to lectures with your clothes wrinkled, walking out of lectures during the middle of a lecture and all that.

Rhodes is renowned for its wild partying scene and drunken behavior, many people told me that I am going to become an alcoholic when I come to Rhodes, even though this is something that most first years turn to, I do not think that all the students are alcoholic. The percentage of alcohol is too high not meaning that all the students drink. Rhodes have small percentage of students, there are not many students in this campus, so those who drink alcohol drink sit at a very high percentage and that makes Rhodes to have the reputation of alcoholism.
But I still stand with the fact that majority of first years have turned into alcoholics ever since they came to this school, there are some of the students that I know that are now drinking and they never used to drink before they came to Rhodes.

The first kicks of living combatants

While interviewing students at the Jack labs and library asking them related questions based on being a first year at Rhodes University, and their experiences so far during the year. I have interviewed many students approximately 10 students doing different and same degrees. These students told me different stories about their first year experiences based on their academics and social networking. I find that most first years face intricate situations because of the new environment and being far away from home. There adaptation of campus standard of living was not easy, some tended to give up by dropping out and it’s because of difficulties they tend to face. My mainstream interest was to get more about their balance in academics, their social and experiences.
Out of ten of these people I interviewed six of them got g7 which that means they failed their June exams. It’s not because they don’t know how to study or they don’t have time for their books, it’s the university academic language and struggling to know how to tackle university studies. One of the students I interviewed at the jack labs was Mazithi Ntiyane who does Bcom said,” I am now coping with the university daily life compared during my early months”. Its obvious to anyone who is a first year that varsity can be very confusing and pressured.
Academically as I’ve mentioned, studies here at varsity can be extreme restless especially at first year level of experience. A Bsc first year student Siphosethu Sithela said, “I usually got confused when I first attended lecturers, now I am coping not fully but trying”. The academic path in university particularly first year only needs a soldier’s heart and patriots mind. The first year route can be tremendous or fidgety. It is not a subject to view all of my interviewees, the fact of the matter is that their stories are relevant, different, similar, but first year experiences.
The reason of naming them living combatants is because; I believe first years are very true fighters of triumph. They penetrate their own ways in varsity and become conquerors and icons even to other people surrounding them. I will end this by saying viva first years and let’s go surmount for more.

TRY-VARSITY

No one can do it like a Rhodent!!!

Recently,I had the worst Tri-varstiy experience, and fellow Toastmasters will agree with me when I say "Fort hare sucks!".Of course that's considered a very rude statement, especially to be going about posting in Blogs which COULD be read be Fort hare-ers. In that case...it wasn't me!But in all honesty, I expected the time I spent "experiencing Tri-varsity" to be the experience of a lifetime!Such as my Rhodes counterparts on your right corner.Exhibit A:tri-varsity 2006.Though I wasn't there it's easy to see why Rhodents have such an...interesting reputation. As for Fort hare(East London), well they made us buy our own food, exposed us to amateur speaker(hence Rhodes clinching 6 positions out of the 8) and most importantly, they ridiculed our intellect and calibre by making us perform outrageous actions in our impromptu speeches. All in all, that is an experience I would like to bury in my past.

In an attempt to move away from a typical blog, i have chosen to lead you to a speech made by a Toastmaster I know and respect.This man, boy, whatever you want to call him(though I think he would appreciate "Patrick") wrote a speech about "TRY varsity", with an obvious pun on the word. In essence, his speech was made up of the attempts to fit into the varsity life and the fact that we don't need varsity,let alone school. No one knows anything because everything is a theory, and theories aren't their own thoughts in any case!In conclusion,Paddy(as we call him) or crabby Paddy(as I call him) told us that if we want something to complain about we must TRY varsity, and this is a stance which I completely propose.Perhaps what can save us is TRI-VARSITY.

Blogging and out

Taking the First Steps

In my extensive conversations with various first-years, I have come to the conclusion that a majority, if not all of them, thought that being in first-year would be a breeze.They had the idea that the Humanities Department, in particular, was the Department with the easiest degrees (that is, the BA degree). What I also did was a couple of third-years how that has changed over the years. My results were that the common “you read for a BA” expression is a fact. In other words, although there may not be as many tutorials and assignments in Humanities, the readings make up for it. In the course of the year, and especially after the June results, many have realized that although Rhodes University may be the epitome of High School with its vibrant people and the close-knit community, one is required to work extremely hard to make up for the lost time when they thought that this year would be filled with nights at the ‘Rat and Parrot’-and that’s all first year was about. What I found particularly interesting, though, is the fact that most first-years come to varsity and change who they are. When someone was called “Jenny” or “Jen”, they now opt for “J”, and thus change the way they dress and who they befriend. When one can offer reason and say that they are merely growing up, it becomes apparent that the issue is a deeper one, many of the girls especially think that image is a huge aspect of varsity life.

With regards to the image point that I picked up, I would like to refer to the “letter to my younger self” which was read out in the JMS class about a week ago. In this letter, the young lady makes comments such as “dropping the Xhosa accent” in order to fit into the group she wanted to be in, she particularly expresses the social stratification that it supposedly experienced by Rhodes students. I have never felt more humiliated in my life! Although that was a very creative piece from the young lady, I do believe she is slightly over exaggerating when she claims that we are coerced to be other than that we are. In fact, I beg to differ with her stance as I have personally had lecturers telling the class to express themselves in a manner that suggests that they have read a particular passage, but are not directly quoting. This earns one marks as they are sharing their knowledge. On the other hand, with regards to “buying five different coloured skinny jeans for every day of the week”, I feel that on that point, it is evident that the lady is a confused young soul. No one, especially at Rhodes University, is coerced to do something or judged for doing another. If that is the case, then those people are in the minority, thus the lady’s fault was in the generalisation brought on in her letter.

It scares me to realise that the year is almost over and some of us, the very same people who were running around during O-week and making friends with one another, will not see the following year at Rhodes University. We all came here with our different perspectives and aspirations that may or may not have altered along the way. We have had to quickly realise that sleeping in lectures is a “no-no” as there won’t be notes handed out to you at the end of the class or in case you weren’t there the day before. Many of us have had to deal with the fact that you cannot run to your Prefect mother when times are tough and you need to get away from it all. And although you have a warden, you can’t keep bothering her as she has five hundred other girls who need her attention. So as we draw the year to an end, we realise that we have had to grow up in a short space of time, and it just wasn’t sufficient. It’s survival of the WITtest.

The Post Of An An Insightful Black Girl

so there I was...thinking about the "letter to my younger self" that was read out by Sim in the class.Remember the one that entailed descriptions of how one is coerced to buy five skinny jeans (in different colours) for the five days of the week.Maybe this will jog your memory...dropping the "xhosa accent".I realised that a majority of the class nodded their heads and clapped their hands for this, obviously confused, young lady.I must agree I was one of them, but I clapped for the way this lady managed to follow in the footsteps of Napoleon, Hitler and even Stalin!!So,wait for it...congrats girl!!Propaganda is your tutor. I fail to comprehend what you have against rhodes university, or its students,because the fact of the matter is that NO ONE ever expects you to be other than that you are. In fact, I have witnessed even lecturers urging us to speak our minds merely because the quotes we spew are not a reflection of who we are let alone what we believe. So although there may be "groups" that urge you to become a part of them (be it by speaking a certain way or even dressing that way), you're not forced to do so.And if you do then, quite frankly, you have no back bone and thus have no right in putting down the Cambridge of South Africa(i.e. Rhodes).
Otherwise...thatwas avery CREATIVE piece.

Lover's Plus...Rhodes

Lover's Plus...Rhodes

Lover's Plus...Rhodes

TRIBES and tribulations...

Rhodes University- where leaders learn.
Ideally, we are handpicked to enhance our intellectual capacity amongst the best. Yet we have to wonder whether or not we have been dumped on an island. Being located in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by the quiet hills of the Eastern Cape; Rhodents have continued to live amongst the dead since 1902.

Upon arriving, one wonders exactly what draws people to Rhodes University; alas the answer seems evident as man is driven by self interest- thus becoming one of the best is a necessity. When one gets here they are placed in these “tribes” where there is already a “leader” whose job entails solving difficult issues in the “tribes”, as well as the “skulls” who are there to assist us with the daily obstacles. What they can’t help you with, though, is when you’ve lost your “immunity” and you have to avoid being voted out in the “tribal council”. Everyday one is expected to do an “obstacle course” as it is said that this will ultimately help them when the time comes for the ultimate “tribal council”. The chances of this happening all depend on whether the cock decides to crow or not.

The positive aspects of living in these “tribes”, though is the fact that one remains sane because of the people they engage with. One of the best tribes that are at Rhodes is the “Cantannexe” tribe. This tribe is occasionally described as the tribe with vibe and has a character of its own. Many think that this is merely because this particular “tribe” does not have a “leader” of its own, but they have yet to realise that “Cantannexe” girls’ is just the “tribe” that most people want to be in because of the different personalities.

All in all, the different “tribes” have an impact on how one experiences the “island” as they become part of your life in this game where we all have a shot to get the “reward” we want.


CodeBreaker:
Leader-warden
Skulls-sub wardens
Immunity-DP
Obstacle course-lectures
Tribes-residences
Tribal Council-examinations or exclusion
Cantannexe-Canterbury Annexe
Island-Rhodes
Reward-degree

Luxido Survivorship

Luxolo Matebese is a first year at Rhodes who is charismatic and appealing in his social and academics. His enthusiasm defines his character; he is delightful, very interactive with people and very active. He is short in height, light skinned complexion. I call him Lux. He also find being talkative as his characteristic function,”I am very talkative and always take things easy whether my social life is hard or my academics are giving me hard times. Life is a good and beautiful woman but most of the people don’t think so”. When this guy interacts with people surrounding him, he is like a reverend with full community engagement. He is a freshman; always have something to say no matter what. Lux is a survivor and his story is interesting because many people like to take life to serious and being so focused in their first year, him even if there is something bad he’ll stay calm. “I failed my law test but I know that I will strive to pass in the long run. My long time girlfriend dumped me after I had like two months here at Rhodes but I knew that I will move on and there will be someone who is going to love me and I am going love her back”. I find this man as the coolest and calm person on earth, he is very cheerful.
A down to earth oak, a positive thinker forget his debate attributes, think of him as a first year student who is more than his seniors because of his full strength and optimisms. Lux was mostly exposed to homosexuality here at Rhodes, he had always judged people who were gays.” I always thought gay people were abnormal and full of nonsense but today I know that there people too, they are very sensible and now I have friends who are gays and they know my sexuality and they respect me and I respect them, so what I can say in your first year a person adapts in many things at varsity”. The confusion and ignorance on our townships and villages teaches us a coarsely and impolite way of interpreting things and we end up calling other people like gays with such harsh names. Lux gives an insight on what people can judge and not being aware of what is really happening in the world.” I am now also explored with many different kinds of people, people who have different cultures and races, people of different backgrounds bonding together and living on one community”. First year is very a hard challenge to every student coming from where ever, the thing is you don’t know what to expect. I know it can be very hard but if we can have people like Lux, people who have interesting hopes and don’t stress about the unaware information and expectations.
“I love my books like woman. I take care of my books like a shepherd taking care of his goats and cattle’s, but when I fail I don’t blame myself I only look for the second chance”. He is full of hope; he shows encouragement and trust of himself. “I love woman like my books, my gay friends usually laugh when I say this,’ I love woman with passion’, it is true its not that I am faking myself or being not the true character of myself. I love woman and I respect them, a good woman is a treasure and is hard to find”. Let’s just say he is keeping it real and being the true quality of himself, he knows how to divide his professions from the fun.
To conclude, Lux is a first year student full of joy and anticipations, I even asked him do you cry? His answer was,” I cry only when I am very blissful”. People take life to serious, the reason I am so chilled is because, life is hard and we all know that and people who will write about life are us, the least I do I enjoy my life at a fullest climax wisely. This African young man is the calm person I’ve ever seen and spoken to in my life, it was a pleasure to do his profile I wish I can still stay other minutes with him because his stories are adventure and journey.
Facebook Luxolo Matebese

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Miss Survivor

As I walk by the library, I saw her sitting on the bench waiting for me, folding her slim legs. She greeted me with a smile and told me she has been waiting for me. Asemahle Badiwe was prepared to share her first year experience here at Rhodes with me.

Asemahle is a first year Rhodes student. Her passion for kids drew her into majoring in Psychology. “Rhodes has changed my life, I was an ‘A+’ student in high school, but ever since I came here, I am a ‘B and C’ student, and that is not the kind of a person I am”, said Asemahle. That shows how hectic things get when you grow up. Asemahle was a quite person when she got to Rhodes, then she started adapting to the lifestyle of people here at Rhodes, “I started drinking, going out and having fun with friends, and that is something that I have never done in my life”, she said. Tertiary life comes with a lot of responsibility as well as pressure from peers but even though there are many influences that students come across during her first year at Rhodes, she has managed to stay herself throughout and is most likely to pass her first year with 1st grade passes. She have now stopped drinking and partying, she is back to the normal person she was. Drinking and partying was something that she did first semester.

Coming to Rhodes proved to be a very good choice as it has given her a platform to have a stronger academic foundation. Education is the foundation of her career, and that is something that she came here for. When studying Asemahle hides from the rest of the world. She goes into her own world because to her, her education is her responsibility. “I hate politics, I don’t know why I took it as one of my subjects, I never even bother myself by attending the lecture”, she bravely said. Asemahle passed all her subject during the June examination, including politics. She was surprised to see that she passed one of the most boring subjects in the world, she didn’t think she will pass it and she was prepared to drop it second semester, she decided not to because she is doing good in it.

Disappointing her parents is something that she hates and that she will never dream of doing it that is one of the reasons why she stopped drinking because she knew that she was going to end up being an addict. Asemahle has never had a boyfriend in her life and is not even thinking of having one. “My mom told me not to fall in-love up until I finish my degree, and for that I respect and honor her words, I won’t do that up until the time allows me to, Falling in love will mean that I have disappointed her, and that is something that I do not want to do”. She guffaws.

See it through her eyes

When reminiscing, Nandi Tshabalala never fails to mention the incident where one of her best friends, Boitumelo Senganga, climbed the bicycle art display. This is just one of the crazy things that Nandi has done since being here at Rhodes, although this is not the girl that entered Canterbury Annexe at the beginning of the year. In fact, there is a vast difference between the woman who sits in front of me and the one this very lady claims she was when the year started. Her favourite comment “I was wet behind the ears” constantly springs up the during our conversation, not forgetting how much she appreciates friendship as it was her friends who helped her survive the hard times that first year can throw. “Rhodes has always been my first choice”, she says as she grabs the Hunters Dry and gently places it on her lips, taking slow sips before continuing “when my father and I came here last year, I thought I had made the wrong choice. The place was dead.” That was the only disappointment she had with regards to applying to Rhodes. When she got here, though, it was easy to realise that the students really make the life considering that it is a University City. Having been born and bred in a small town, Nandi never wanted to live in a big city such as Johannesburg when in university, although she admits that Rhodes, and especially its students, are no different from Wits and UCT, for instance. A tiny grin appears on her face as she describes her first day at Rhodes, the long drive from Potchefstroom to Grahamstown allowed her to reflect on the choice she had made, and the decision indeed proved to be an excellent one especially after listening to her father, a Britney Spears fanatic, singing the whole way.

At the tender age of seventeen, Nandi had never even dreamt that leaving home and living all by herself in another Province would come so soon. As a girl who was once told by an external moderator that “she speaks Afrikaans as if she’s from Potch”, Nandi delighted in the fact that Grahamstown would appreciate a well-ground lady, whose Afrikaans is immaculate, such as herself. In surviving first year, one is often pre-warned about seal-clubbing, what one does when they are raped. This talk is especially emphasised in girls’ residences as society reflects that women are more likely to become victims in rape incidents. What sub-wardens and the likes cannot do, though, is give one a manual on how to survive the social stratification one may experience in their first year; and although there may be counselling centres that one is encouraged to go to, the counsellors will not always be there with you when you really miss Tracy and Sipho, her younger siblings, as Nandi did in her first term. The friends she has now are not the ones she thought she would have as, during her high school days, she made friends with a specific group of girls that always stayed in large numbers.

As she turns to walk out of the room to get a glass of water, I witness a flash of leaves in her hair, black marks on her hair and a blaze of camouflage. Nandi is indeed a survivor in this first year craze. Adaptation is a necessity, and is something she has achieved. It’s interesting to see how many people get homesick and depressed when they leave home. Fear grips an unsuspecting teen and never ceases. Needless to say, everyone is familiar this detachment from reality, only a few survive.