The past couple of months have been challenging, really, more especially the transition phase from high school to university. Having been granted the opportunity to study towards an engineering degree at Wits (getting those sky-high marks for mathematics and physics in matric) does not automatically guarantee success at a university and I, like many, learnt that the hard way.

LIFE IN HIGH SCHOOL
At this point, all I can say is that I miss high school mathematics, LOL. High school is structured in such a way that everything looks rather programmed. The teachers tell you exactly what to do; how to do it, etc. You probably do the same thing for about 3 to 4 weeks merely to ensure that you do get a hang on the material. In most cases you’re offered extra attention when it all seems like you’re falling behind and all this is usually true if you’re in the teacher’s good books.

It felt good being in the top 10 achievers (matric) in our school, term after term, I won’t lie. It felt even better knowing that I was the top student in my class, hehe! I mean, some of my classmates looked up to me. All these and more felt absolutely awesome and I enjoyed every moment of it, but in varsity it’s a completely different story seeing that you all gained entrance to your various fields; all were possibly the top learners in your respective schools and all posses the same knowledge. In short, you are now competing against students with almost the same level of thinking as you do.

LIFE IN VARSITY
I expected it all to be one joyful ride; go partying weekend after weekend and not have to worry about anyone, elders in particular, being all up in your face. But unfortunately I was quickly shot down during the first block. The weeks are hectic, I must say. Attending 08h00 to 17h00 lectures everyday is a challenge. In most cases you feel drained; get to your place extremely exhausted and still have to make sure you do some studying that night. It’s all fun at first, makes you feel like a real student, but not until you finally realize that that’s exactly how your life is going to be shaped for the next couple of years.

Like many, I had my sheer moments where I failed a couple of tests. I began questioning myself as to…, could I possibly be in the wrong field? Is this REALLY what I want to spend the next 4 years doing? I finally realised that what tends to mislead most of us is the cliché, “I was the top learner in my class. I know my mathematics, I know my physics, this is easy. I didn’t have to do much studying when I was in matric, why should I start now?” The good news is that, yes! You’re absolutely right! You were, indeed, the top achiever in your class (and most probably the entire grade), however let’s kindly leave that where it rightfully belongs…, IN MATRIC!

The material in this case is structured in such a way that everything is made easy. No, no, wait! Let me finish. It is structured in such a way that everything is made easy…, MADE EASY FOR YOU TO FAIL! The workload is exactly what the word describes it to be…, a LOAD of work. A math class on an ordinary day goes on for 2hrs, divided into 45min and a 15min break in between. Now what happens is that within that 2hr interval, you get two lecturers who teach you two different things (one for calculus, and the other for algebra). What am I getting at? Well, continue reading.

Each lecturer does not give a damn as to how much work has been given to you by the other lecturer. They all come in there, teach you a whole LOADS of stuff, then leave. Luckily though, it’s not everyday that this happens because you probably go there thrice a week. That’s very good, but not when the very same thing happens in the case of physics and other subjects (courses rather) which replace that math class. Now what does all this mean? Well, it means that if you pile up your work, it doesn’t get any easier. Instead, it gets harder and harder. Like I said, they make it very easy for you to FAIL.

Countless hours in the library are expected from you. You need to eat, drink, and s**t your books. There is no better way to say this; it just has to be done. I recall my very first day of registration like it was yesterday. The lady at the reception told me something I’ve probably been living up to all this time…, that THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS TO SUCCESS! As aforesaid, like many, I learnt that the hard way. This is an appeal to all first year students and learners, more especially those currently in matric and about to enter the ‘big school’, like my dad often tells me, try to the best of your ability. Even if all fails, at least you tried rather than saying…, “If only I had studied harder”! And most importantly, BE A HAPPY STUDENT!

Are you Ghetto Rough or Snobbish?

It is very easy to draw the distinguishing line between a ghetto rough student and a snobbish student. One can tell these two types of students apart by the way they walk, their accents, their clothing styles and lastly their level of “sophistication”. We have mentioned that UJ is a massive and rapidly growing university, one sees all these different kinds of students walking around on campus and thinks: OMG!! That’s so hood or flip she’s such a snob… This is how one would most likely identify a snob or a hood rat as they make their way around campus…

Ghetto Rough students

WHAT DO THEY WEAR?
You will see them wearing “Samson Overalls”, a typical plain Levi’s jean. A lack of creativity is their disease. Carvelas “awe my bro”, need I say more? They also like wearing Dickies from head to toe. Then they have to accessorise with too much bling, especially gold necklaces, bracelets and rings which just scream “Fake! Fake! Fake!”

WHAT DO THEY EAT?
Chelsea Buns,iKota (bunny chow) and, oh wait that’s it…

WHERE DO THEY PARTY?
It’s either at the Shosholoza tavern in Brixton drinking Black label or just chilling at some corner, as they have a strong fascination with corners. They only hit the dance floor, when they hear hard beats along with lyrics like “ayoyo, ayeye, woza, bona. They usually are the last to leave the “club”.

WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO THEY LIKE?
Their favourite song has to be: Mnike by Arthur, DJ Call Me-Marry me, Mgarimbe -Sista Bettina, Culture Spears-Kulenyane and, the list goes on and on.
PS: ghetto students are on facebook and MXit..ayeye *hides*

Snobbish Students

WHAT DO THEY WEAR?
Swag, swag and even more stylish swag. They are elegant and always make fashion statements on campus. To them a Converse – All-star is acceptable because it is ghetto fabulous, so here an exception is allowed. One may see most of these students at the Joburg Sanlam and Audi Fashion Week, clutching desperately to empty cocktail glasses. Eish mara nabob ba thanda izinto zamahala, that includes me

THEIR LIFESTYLES:
Class best defines snobs. They don’t play pool and card games as they’re keep themselves entertained with the Xbox 360 or Ps3instead. Not so much into sports, unless there’s an air conditioner in the playing field. They all have reputations to maintain so, queues and public service environments are taboo for them… you’ll never find them at the Labs or Helen Joseph.

WHERE DO THEY PARTY?
Club Inc is one of the places of which snobs are willing to be seen queuing before entry. They are fond of celebrity events and concerts…VIP and Media section only. Always out for dinner and drinks at Capello, Cofi, and expensive restaurants in Sandton. They feel very insulted if you invite them for drinks at News Cafe, Campus Square.

WHAT MUSIC DO THEY LIKE?
They are psyched by the latest Alternative Rock and Pop music. Not so much into Rhythm and Blues but, tolerates the likes of Beyonce and Alicia Keys. Snobs love Hip – Hop, as most of their clothing style is influenced by this genre. They can hardly speak Afrikaans but, don’t be shocked when seeing them at Oppikopi or the Beer Fest.

LOL don’t even ask in which category i fall under, hai. Buy me a BlackBerry and I will tell you, even more. Please? And it doesn’t mean I’m a begger, haibo it’s a win win situation, i tell you in which category i fall under and you give me that damn phone. Yes you see?

By: Lebogang Mgiba
Twitter: @Lebza4Sho
Blog: http://lebza4sho.blogspot.com/

All the Mining Enginnering students at the University of the Witwatersrand went all out of their ways as they roamed around campus with their mining atire on. A mining student that I am, I must say I was pretty much dissapointed seeing that all the overalls, hard hats and boots were unable to cater for all of us, which explains why I’m not on any of the following pictures – we were just too many. Contrary to the aforesaid, it was an awesome day nevertheless 🙂

Pics by Leslie Moloto and Brandon Vuma

Unable to see exactly what’s written on the image below? Then click on it for an enlarged view 😉

Prof Lee Burger with Sediba Skull

The fossil dicovered by Professor Lee Berger’s son Matthew, has been officially named by a 17-year-old pupil of St Mary’s school in Waverley.

Karabo means “answer” in Setswana was chosen from more than 15 000 submissions. The name was submitted by Omphemetse Keepile of Johannesburg as a representation of the importance of Austrolapithicus Sedibe as a link in human evolution.

The naming competition was sponsored by Standard Bank and Paleontological Scientific (PAST) and competition was held in association with Wits University and the Department of Science and Technology.

The paleontological discovery of a hominid skeleton of between 9 and 13 years old was revealed in March. Along with an adult skeleton, this latest, significant finding dates back 2 million years and has projected a spotlight on Wits University in recent months.

Matthew Berger, the son of Professor Lee Berger, found the skeletal remains in the cradle of humankind and was also one of the judges in the naming competition

Source: Vuvuzela