The Student’s Guide to Medical Support

Source: doodle and hoob

Almost everyone I know at the moment has a case of the sniffles or a sore throat, myself included. Aside from the usual maladies that arise with the change of season, it's getting to that point of the academic year where students are simply burning out. Long nights studying, several months on a poor diet consisting largely of Mi Goreng noodles, and more slabs of alcohol than you would willingly admit to having consumed, it all starts to add up, and your immune system gets hit hard. Sometimes, the cure is to curl up on the couch in your trackies and a blanket, chow down on some comfort food, drink hot chocolate and devour a book or some movies. But when your body crashes out on you, it's important to know how to get in contact with the right people…


Your Uni Health Service
Most universities have a student health service, usually consisting of a couple of full-time nurses, and a visiting doctor. These services are great, as you can duck in between lectures, and the staff tend to be very conscious of the problems facing uni students, not to mention university procedures if you require time off to recover. Remember to take your Medicare card, as they will usually bulk bill your visit, but be aware that you may face out of pocket expenses for things like inoculations, blood tests and procedures. The one main problem with on campus doctors is that the appointments can fill up weeks in advance, but if this is the case, you should be able to ask them if they can recommend another nearby doctor.

Bulk Billing Clinics
Outside of on-campus services, bulk billing clinics are the next best things for the sick student. They usually have a number of doctors on duty at any one time, meaning they can move through more patients in a shorter space of time than smaller private practices, and the best bit is it's free if you have your Medicare card! You don't normally have to have an appointment, but from experience, it can be a good idea to make one, in case you suddenly find yourself on the end of a 2 hour wait. Clinics are your best bet if you need to get prescriptions renewed, doctors certificates issued, or have issues you don't really want to discuss with your usual doctor. Just be aware that you may not always get the same doctor, meaning you'll have to be prepared to give someone new the low-down on your history every visit, because whilst files are usually shared at these clinics, the doc doesn't know you, and will ask questions accordingly. These places can also be quite drug happy, i.e. will prescribe something just to shut you up. If you're not sure why they're giving you something, or if it is the right treatment for you, don't be afraid to speak up and voice your concerns. Get them to explain exactly what it is, and why they're providing you with the script. If you're still not comfortable, seek a second opinion.

Prescriptions
Your trip to the doctor won't always end with a pharmacological solution, but if it does, you'll need to get your script filled, preferably sooner rather than later. It pays to have a look around at different pharmacies, as the one next door to the doctor can also be the most expensive! If you have a Health Care Card or concession, you can get some medicines at a reduced price, which is always appreciated by the bank account. If your prescription allows for you to get a generic brand, seriously consider doing so. Generics are exactly the same drug, in the same delivery format, but sold at a lower price. Same is true for over the counter drugs, such as paracetamol or antihistamine. A company has a monopoly over the production of a drug for the life of its patent, at which time it can be picked up by other companies, increasing competition for market share, and driving prices down, meaning win for the consumer! Here endeth the economics lesson.

Ambulance Cover
Nobody thinks they're going to have an accident, but if you do, the last thing you want to be worrying about is a $2000 bill from the Ambulance service for the ride they gave you to hospital. In my first week at university, everyone in our course was advised to get ambulance cover 'just in case'. Considering the dangers involved with science, with all its chemicals, glassware, fire and explosive hazards, etc, it's probably not surprising that I took that advice on board, and I'm very glad I did. My situation wasn't an accident in the lab, a broken leg at football, or getting into a fight while in town one night (all of which I have witnessed). I had an asthma attack at 2 o'clock in the morning, in the middle of uni break while no one was around, and had no way to get to hospital. If I hadn't had Ambulance membership, that ride could have cost me a huge amount of money, and not having the ride could have cost me my life. In my opinion, $75 a year is a small price to pay for knowing if I have an accident, my family isn't going to get hit with a huge bill while I'm still recovering. Some private health care funds have ambulance cover built in to them, and some states have a free public service, so check your situation before signing up!

Don't leave it too late
If you've been off colour for a few days, consider going to the doctor. Sometimes they can give you a certificate for a few days to rest and recover, or even make sure it's not something more than it looks. Always think in advance, especially if you're fluey and have assignments coming up. If you ever have persistent pain, numbness or tingling in your limbs, develop problems with your speech or sight, have recurring headaches or experience chest pains, ALWAYS see a doctor as soon as possible. Pay attention to your body, rest, and keep up your fluids and vitamins, because prevention and early intervention are always better than living through a full-blown illness.

Finally, the disclaimer – NEVER use this post against or in lieu of professional medical advice. Always use your common sense, and only follow advice you feel comfortable with. If you're not comfortable with the advice, seek a second opinion, or a third. If the problem isn't going away, persist until you get answers!

Love, Neysa xo

The Students Guide to Lectures

 

Picture from HeyStudents.com

And so O'Week comes to a close. I don't know about how anyone else's week was, but I put all my partying into one night of pure insanity on the DUSA pubcrawl with The Muso, Mentor, and LadyYoung, and a busload of young students, followed by the mayhem of Eureka, an hour long queue wait to get back into Eureka after catching up with a friend somewhere else, and a whole lot of crazy dancing. Aside from running to heaps of people I haven't seen in ages (some months, some years), it was a great way to celebrate my birthday, even if there were way too many 18yr olds making me feel like an old lady at 23. Even got to trial-run the wobbly-boot walk home, as I now live within walking distance of the CBD, and there was no being hit by cars or trains (this may have had more to do with The Muso than my own ability by that time…). Alas alack, O'Week is now over (unless you count Sunday night at Lamby's, which I know a lot of people do), and come Monday, it's time to hit the books once again. To give you a bit of a head start, or just a reminder, I've complied a few tips for handling those all important lectures.


Mobile Phones – Turn your phone off before or as the lecture starts. If you can't bear the thought of turning your phone off, at least put it on silent/vibrate. While you may have some sweet new ringtone, you can be pretty sure that no one is going to appreciate learning about it in the middle of a lecture. If you're expecting an important call (your grandpa is having heart surgery, your sister is about to go into labour), sit near the door so you can beat a hasty retreat to answer, otherwise let it go to message bank and call them back. Answering a phone during class will result in your being destroyed by the lecturer. Really. Text messaging during lectures is generally frowned upon, but often overlooked, as it's not disturbing anyone else, just try to be subtle about it, and don't do it during lab or tutorial classes.

Lecture Kit – Having the right stuff to take lecture notes can make life so much easier. Make sure you have plenty of lined paper. I use a spiral bound notebook, which has perforated and hole punched pages. This means that you don't have to worry about carrying around more than one book if you have multiple lectures/tutorials in a row, or losing loose leaves of paper, and can pull pages out and add them to a subject folders easily. I also carry at least three different coloured pens, usually black, blue and red, plus something super bright, like green or purple. Makes it easy to highlight important notes, keeps headings separate, and generally makes your page look interesting. It also helps if one runs out mid-lecture as you have a backup. I seriously dislike using whiteout, preferring to cross things out rather than wasting time applying it and waiting for the stuff to dry, but that's a personal preference. If you're in a subject that might require sketching diagrams or pictures, it's helpful to have a pencil or two, or a mechanical pencil to save sharpening every 5 minutes.

Pre-Reading & Printed Notes – Before heading to class, try to at least glance at any recommended pre-reading. If it's been set, the lecturer will deliver the lecture assuming that you have read it, and things may not make any sense if you don't. You might just give it a once over, or you might take down a heap of detailed notes and jot down your opinions and ideas on it, but at least be familiar with what the topic of the lecture is. A lot of lecturers make good use of technology and will provide an electronic PDF copy of the lecture presentation on your student portal (DSO for Deakin Students). DO print these, and bring them along, as the will have most of the key information, and it is easier to see what your own notes are relating to later down the track. DO NOT fall into the trap of thinking that because you have the lecture slides you can get away with not going to class. Lecturers often change slides last minute, or will give you additional information not on the slides. Like answers for exams.

Taking Notes – Don't try to write everything down. Your hand WILL fall off by the end of the first week. At first you will want to write down a lot, from what is on the lecture slides to every word that pours from the lecturer's mouth. The problem is, a lot of the time it's not actually relevant, and you end up with four or five pages of messy notes and a major hand cramp. Instead, try to listen to what is being said while following the presentation, and write down the main points. Use your coloured pens. Keep an eye out for things in the presentation that are formatted differently, as they will more than likely be important. I had one lecturer who would border an important slide with red, and nine times out of 10, that slide would be integral in answering an exam question. As a general rule, it is a good idea to copy dates, diagrams and equations, and to do so carefully. It will take a while for you to figure out what is important to write down, and what you can gloss over, but practice makes perfect.

Label Everything - Make sure you top every page with the date, the subject and the lecture title. If you have guest lecturers, make sure you write down their name too. There is nothing worse than going through pile of paper a week before exams, and having no idea what subject a particular page belonged to. I know we all mean to keep everything neat and tidy in first week, but by study week, things can be an absolute shambles, and making sure you can quickly find the right notes by a quick heading scan will make your life a lot easier in the long run.

For the Techies – Laptops are becoming a lot more popular in lectures, be it purely for note taking, or as part of an interactive online learning environment. However, lecture theatres are notoriously difficult to find power points in, so make sure that you either have a battery that will last the distance, or find a socket early on and stick to it. Make sure to put it on mute (Messenger chimes during a lecture fall into the same category as answering a mobile phone), have pen and paper handy just in case (you may be a wizard in paint, but it will take you half as long to draw and label a diagram by hand), and try not to whoop too loudly when you finally finish that game of Hearts with 4 suits.

Lecture vs. Tutorial – Lectures and tutes are not the same thing. One you are being spoken to by an expert, the other is a conversation between peers. Some lecturers will be fine with questions being asked during the class, especially if it is just clarification, and other students may even thank you for being the brave one to voice what everyone was confused about, but try to keep it short. Wasting 5 minutes on something trivial wastes everyone's time. Try to save most questions, opinions and personal experiences until after the lecture, when you can approach the lecturer one-on-one, or for tutorials, where discussions of the lecture content or anything even vaguely related to lecture content are actively encouraged. 

A @ The Glamourous Grad Student has written some great advice pieces in the past for those just starting out at uni, my favourites being Etiquette tips for the charming college gal, More etiquette tips for the charming college gal, and
Grad Student Musings: Advice for the undergrads. She has fairly hit the nail on the head in my opinion, and is a great read to boot!


 
Have you got any advice for cute little JAFFYS for their first week of university lectures? How about funny O'Week stories? Perhaps we have all had too good a time, and have holey memories!

Oh, and my brother is now officially a uni student. Finally!


 
Signing off for an early night,

Neysa xoxo

The Student Guide to Hitting the Town

 

"Clash of the Titans" @ Home House 2009

I've been quietly pondering where in Geelong to go out for my birthday next week, and realised that there are a bunch of O'Week students about to hit town, many of them new to the area, who probably have no idea where to head out once the organised activities are over. I know my brother is certainly one of them! Many a Thursday has been spent debating the location of that night's partying. Here's a quick rundown of some of the regular haunts in Geelong…


 
Every uni student in Geelong knows about The Ponds, which until the end of last year was just a short stroll down the path from the Deakin Waurn Ponds campus. It's still a short walk down hill, but it's no longer down the handy path from res, which will make it a slightly longer stagger back to caf after Wednesday night Happy Hour. Happys down the Ponds is something of a tradition, in particular with resies, from 5-7pm on a Wednesday night. Yes, it is usually dodgy as, with plastic cups and manky beer or goon sunrises, but it is cheap, and a great way to catch up with your friends, and de-stress on Hump Day. The few pool tables get taken pretty early, and you can rarely hear the music, but good times to be had before the last minute rush back up the hill for dinner. The Ponds is also home to the 'Dodgy Disco' late Wednesday nights, as nasty as it sounds, but popular after unit functions, or for those people who started after walking out of their last lecture of the day, and have yet to stop. However, in the last year it became rather sporadic in occurance, so check with the bar staff during Happys to avoid disappointment when you've walked down the hill at 10pm.


 
Across the road from the Deakin Waterfront campus, The Max appears to have fallen from uni student favour in the last year or so for anything other than killing time or holding functions, though I have no idea why. Great live music a few nights a week, decent food, and proximity to the uni would make it a prime candidate in my opinion. Still, popular or not, the drinks are good, the staff are great, and many a Mix-and-Match function has been conducted between its multiple levels. Good place to start if you are driving into town, as the uni carpark is right next to it, and everywhere else is a short walk up the road.


 
The Carlton Hotel on Malop Street has become one of the more popular pre-drinks spots for a Thursday night, due to discounted drinks, finger food, and live music for Thursday Uni Nights. It has a cool, laid back atmosphere, with booths, arm chairs by the fire, and sweet as staff. A lot of pub crawls (aka. Mystery bus tours) go through this pub, so expect to get to know it during the first few weeks of uni. Apparently the food is pretty good too, but I've never had anything other than the finger food, so don't take my word for it! The Carlton usually closes around midnight on a Thursday, making it a great spot to meet, have a few drinks, enjoy the music, and decide where to head next.


 
Right next door to the Carlton is Mr Hyde, a super styling cocktail bar. Yes, cocktails are slightly pricey for a uni student ($15 may be cheap for a good cocktail in Geelong, but it's still more than most students are willing to spend). However, if you're celebrating something, like a birthday or graduation, it's a top spot. The cocktails are simply amazing, and even if it's not on their extensive menu, the chances are the bar staff will know how to make it. Add to this an awesome high ceiling, interesting lighting, a few little private rooms, large comfy couches, and it's heaven to me! Another cocktail bar has recently opened on James St, called Opium Cocktail Bar, and it has been getting rave reviews, but have yet to try it out. Stay tuned for updates!


 
Beav's Bar is on the intersection of James St and Little Malop St, and is probably my favourite place to just chill out and have drinks with a few friends. It looks like it was once a church that has been converted into a bar. The mix-matched, pre-loved sofas and couches are regularly rearranged by the clientele, there is a painting on the wall that looks like Elvis was Gary Ablett's wingman, and the bar is watched over by a collection of Barbie and Ken dolls (and possibly an Action Man?) in various lewd positions. The lighting is seductive, the Open Mic nights and live music are bliss, the prices are pretty good (including being pretty much the only place with NO COVER CHARGE!), and they make a damn good cosmo when you're not spilling it all over yourself (yes, my birthday last year got a bit messy at Beav's!). I think I just talked myself into another birthday trip! Still on Little Malop, and over Moorabool St, there is a little alleyway that hides the gem that is Tannin Lounge. Nerdy bliss, it is also an internet/gaming café during the day. Another lounge bar, it's trendy, again has huge comfy couches (I'm seeing a trend in my favourite places…), and a fairly large group of regulars who are always happy to welcome a new face. I've only been a few times, usually early in the night, but it was pretty damned sweet, and is well worth a look.


 
Over on Yarra Street, The Bended Elbow is a self-styled 'British Ale House', which basically means pub with lots of random farm tools, taxidermy, and other random stuff. Still, another of my favourite places to party, there is something on every night at Bended, be it Thursday night Karaoke, live music upstairs, steak/burger/parmi/whatever night, poker, trivia, the food is almost always good, and apparently they have a decent selection of beer. Previously their top floor has been open as a nightclub on weekends, but 'Level One' was recently shut down, amid promises that the live music would continue, and that bigger and better things were planned. Still, I was a rare visitor to that level, preferring to stay with the regular live band, cider on tap, and low, soft lighting of the pub-atmosphere on ground level.


 
The National Hotel, aka. The Nash, on Moorabool St, is not for everyone. Deep-fried blondes, for example. One of the few pubs in Geelong with a good reputation for live music (and great noodles), my first introduction was in my first year when they still had Brit Rock night in the back room on a Wednesday night, where the tartan skirts got broken out and mohawks came out to play, with some serious head banging, and great local acts. The beer garden is like walking through a cloud of smog, the bathrooms look like you should be rolling up a sleeve and finding a vein, and there is reputation for fights breaking out outside, but that can all be overlooked for the music, the mad pool room wallpapered with old gig posters, and Nash noodles. After a few, be careful not to get distracted while ordering drinks by the fish tank behind the bar, sure way to get ejected. There are usually two things going on in the Nash at once, one up front, another in the 'Groove Room' out back, and they run a rad trivia night once a week. Did I mention noodles?


 
My other pick for live bands is The Barwon Club, right down Moorabool St near the river. This is also now my local, so I am expecting to spend a lot more time there than previously. Poker Thursdays, Sunday acoustic sessions, a regular feature gig, the local cover band, your weekend is fairly covered. With sweet sleeper-like tables, a massive bar, the big screen TV in the corner to catch the latest sport, a beer garden that is actually nice, pool table, and the big room out the back for gigs and functions, the Barwon Club is another popular spot for pub crawls, and last year hosted the resi recovery day, much to their credit.


 
Not really my thing, but where I end up spending the most nights out (Viva la democracy) are the nightclubs in town, and there are pleanty of them. Blue Martini Lounge is on James St, and after a massive climb up, there are two rooms, usually one playing RnB or Top 40, and another playing house. Cheap drinks, cover bands, popular as an afterparty spot and for uni society functions and for partying into the wee hours. The first room when you walk in is visually pretty cool, with a wall of lights, a cool bar, a dancing box up top for the deep-fried blondes to shake their non-existant booty, a couple of big comfy booths and what appear to be giant ottomans on the mezz section. Home House on Moorabool St is insanely huge, with two floors, four bars, and looks like a cloud of fairies exploded everywhere. Seriously, downstairs is super sparkly, with the stairs lined with celebrity snaps, and upstairs sporting a decent collection of pop art. Lots of dark cozy corners, and places for high-heeled feet to rest, it is owned by Darryn "Mr Paparazzi" Lyons, who appears entirely at home when you see him there, so perhaps aptly named? When I first started at Deakin, it was decorated with pieces from the set of Moulin Rouge, and had a much more burlesque feel than the current décor, but it is no less OTT after the refurbishment a few years back. Hugely popular for Thursday nights, and in particular for uni society functions such as those run by Juggernauts. Also owned by Mr Lyons is Eureka. Once the grotty sports bar that you only went to at the end of the night, when everywhere else was closing, and you could barely stand, it was transformed by a multi-million dollar renovation and refurbishment last year into a one of the hottest club tickets in town. Unfortunately, everyone's favourite sports wall disappeared in the refurb, along with the dancing ledge, but the result has been an undoubtedly classier end to the night. The upstairs garden is something to behold, just be careful not to fall down the stairs like one former housemate did!

So, after Happys on Wednesday, Uni night Thursday, and footy at the pub Saturday, it comes to Sunday night and you're up for one last night out. There is, of course, only one possible place. Lamby's Tavern on the corner of Moorabool and Brougham streets. Underground in the old wool exchange, this pub comes to life on Sundays, when everyone is trying to deny that they have to front up to work/uni/life in the morning. Live coverband on the dance floor pumping out the classic floor fillers, at least 4 deep to the two bars, and a whole heap of super comfy couches round the back, it's the prefect Sunday night out, so long as you're not over 6ft. Yes, there is a rather low roof on the dancefloor, and many a tall patron has almost knocked themselves out on a rafter while dancing. Especially if there's moshing involved. Still, somehow they survive, and everyone has an awesome night, or so the photographs and the pounding headache say the next day!


 
Hopefully this will be helpful to some of the new people floating around Geelong looking for a good night out!

If you live in another town, or know of somewhere in Geelong you think should be on the list, please share the details of your favourite party place! Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane?

n.b. Club4Play on Moorabool was recently rebranded 'Cruze', and has not yet reopened. Therefore, it has not been included on this list. Opens later this week I believe!

The Student’s Guide to Surviving O’Week

Picture from DUSA

Yes, it's that time of year again. Police patrols increase, shop owners pray for their windows, 'returners' mutter about 'Jaffys' taking over, and the clubs rub their hands together in glee while making sure security is tight.

Joyous O'Week, you're here at last!

For students it always has been, and hopefully always will be, one of the most jam-packed social weeks of their time at university. For students at Deakin, O'Week is the first week in March. For everyone else, check your uni website! My birthday is always in the middle of O'Week, so it's always an awesome excuse to get my par-tay on. Here are some of my top tips for O'Week.

Go to the orientation lectures – Yes, I know, snore fest. Whilst these can be insanely boring, it is always wise to rock up to any scheduled lectures given by your course and faculty. Aside from being a great way to meet people in your course, they can be full of important information such as how to change your timetable, who you have to talk to about extensions or subject changes, where to submit assignments, etc. These are usually in the first day or two, before the serious partying happens, which helps with not having to cope through with a hang-over.

Sign up for your Student Union/Association – I don't know about anywhere else, but at Deakin, membership to DUSA is super cheap, and well worth the $20 per annum. Free lunches, discounts on event tickets, cheap photocopying & binding, more discounts on society memberships and movie tickets, and usually a free wall planner and diary. My membership had paid for itself within a week last year. Your student union usually organises a bunch of events during O'Week which are a great way to meet new people, whether it is a coffee crawl, 'Mystery Bus Tour' (aka. Pub Crawl), beach party, live music, BBQ lunches, or whatever, get amongst it!

Clubs & Societies Day – If your uni has one of these, rock up! All of the different clubs and societies set up and try to convince you to join up. Great way to meet people with similar interests, and to get a heap of freebies. Deakin usually has all their societies, as well as a bunch of the town's night clubs, sports groups, and gods only know who else. If you are in Geelong, I highly recommend joining the Juggernauts, because if this year is anything like years past, they run some of the biggest and best functions during the year, usually involving a whole lot of drinking games, and some awesome entertainment. Even if you only have a wander around and don't join anything, it's a good way to kill some time before you go to the next orientation lecture.

Don't Buy Textbooks – I know it's very tempting, when you're walking around campus, and see the bookshop with their boards full of reading lists, and the helpful staff, and the shiny new books to just want to walk in and get the whole bundle. DON'T!!! 1) You'll have no money to spend on partying later in the week, 2) You'll have no money to spend on food later in the week, and 3) You'll walk into your first lecture for a given unit the Monday after, and be told you didn't actually need to buy it, it's just recommended.

Get Loose – Yes, find your uni's favourite/closest drinking hole and hang out a bit. At Deakin in Geelong, this is usually either The Ponds (for the Waurn Ponds campus), or The Max (for Waterfront). Have a few bevvys, meet people, and enjoy some music. Then, hit the town. If you're on residences, you will have the joy of having an organising committee that has already organised something every night of O'Week, from transport to entry, and for the non-drinkers, they usually have separate, though equally fun events. It usually goes something along the lines of Ponds for Happy Hour every day, followed by the rush back up the hill for Caf, then into town for a Mix & Match, Mystery Bus Tour, Random Club event, scavenger hunts, etc. It's all about meeting new people, getting to know the town, and generally running amock. Make the most of these, as you don't have to get up insanely early the next day to go to a very important lecture or test, a luxury that you will be missing come week 7 or 8.

"If you can't be good…" – Sex is a part of university. Plain and simple. Consider protection. I will most probably blog more on this later in the year, but for now I'm just going to give these two pieces of advice – 1) Carry a condom or two in your purse/wallet. Protection is the responsibility of both parties, so never assume that if you pick up that the other person (bf/gf/random, whatever) will be prepared. 2) Girls, if you're on the pill, keep on-top of it. It's easy to lose track of time, and miss a pill or two amongst all the socialising. "If you can't be good, be careful. If you can't be careful, remember the date."

Pace Yourself – It is very, very easy to get carried away in the first few weeks of university when it comes to money and alcohol. Budget early to save issues a week, or even two weeks down the track. While blowing all your money on grog the first night might seem like a great idea at the time, your body, your social life, and your wallet are going to hate you in the morning. Remember that you still have to buy food, and probably a bunch of other stuff you haven't even thought of yet, including the rest of the partying you plan on doing between now and your next pay. If you're like most JAFFYS (Just Another F***ing First Year Student), haven't lived away from home before, and have only recently turned 18, chances are you won't know yet how much you can safely drink. Whilst I do encourage having a good time, I also encourage playing it safe - go out with friends, alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and know when to say "no, I've had enough". Remember that, whether thanks to Facebook or rumours, what happens in O'Week rarely stays in O'Week, and getting yourself into trouble now could cause you problems down the track.


 
What are you looking forward to during O'Week? For those of you who've done it before, what was your favourite part, and what are your survival tips?

The Student's Guide to Getting Organised

Photo Credit – Amy's Journal

So hopefully by now, you've figured out which uni you are going to, and where you are going to live for at least the first semester of your new academic career. Now it's down to getting organised, both for moving, and the start of semester!



Packing/Storage – First things first, go and buy some durable plastic storage containers, or a bunch of cardboard packing cases. Packing cases are great because you can fold them back down and store them for when you have to move out again, whilst the plastic ones are great because you can see what's in them, and they can be used to store clothes, food, books, you name it, without fear of water damage. Having everything packed into labelled boxes makes moving and then finding things later so much easier than rummaging through the pile of stuff you just threw into the boot of your car. The boxes also make great furniture when covered with a sheet or something, I used one as a printer table, and another as a nightstand for months! Clothes, scarves, socks, etc make great padding, and save on bubble wrap or paper. And don't feel you have to pack every single thing you own. You still want your room to feel like home when you come back during holidays, and your space at uni is probably finite.

Clothes – Don't feel you have to take your whole wardrobe to uni with you. I don't really consider myself a fashionista, and I certainly don't blog heavily on fashion. I leave that to people with real flair and talent in that area (Will try to upload a list of my favourite reads later this week!). Styling aside, when deciding what to pack, consider the climate where you are, what you plan on getting up to, and how much wardrobe space you actually have. I moved to a much cooler climate, so I packed a lot of winter weight gear, scarves, and jackets, then a very small amount of summer wear. And, it all fitted into two suitcases (Now it's about 4 packing cases and a suitcase or two, my collection has some serious bulk!). Remember you can always ask the family to post you something if you find you really need it later on. If you are a biology or chemistry student, remember that you need to have clothes that are appropriate to wear in the lab (closed shoes, covered legs, few frills/ties/etc that can get accidentally coated in something nasty or set on fire). As a general rule, I never wear anything in the lab that I would seriously be distraught over having to throw away or that could not be replaced – Contamination can and does happen, and I've had to throw out a favourite pair of jeans, and put up with odd stains on my favourite t-shirt. Lab coats unfortunately only do so much.

Stationary – Now is the time to buy! With all the primary school kids going back in the next week, there will be some great specials floating around. Pick up some good pens (Get some cool colours as well as just red/black/blue, a great way to colour your day), a few pre-hole punched notebooks (perforated makes rearranging into folders easier later), one folder for each subject you are taking and a couple of extras, just in case, folder dividers & plastic pockets, anything that you think you might need to make your start to uni life easier. If you're a science student, do yourself a favour and get a Sharpie or four! They are fantastic for labelling in prac classes, they're permanent (except when faced with ethanol, beware when labelling cell culture flasks), bright, and have a great line. I've got a black with both wide-tip and fine tip ends, as well as a bunch of fine tips in various bright colours, and use them for everything, including labelling the boxes in point one!

Household Stuff – This list will vary greatly depending on where you're staying. If you're moving into a rental, you obviously need to take everything, so figure out now how you're getting everything moved, and start packing! No matter where you are, you are probably going to need towels, cooking utensils, laundry powder & pegs, and bed sheets. If you are moving into uni accommodation, they usually provide a list of things included in the room/unit, and a list of things they recommend you bring. Consider whether some things can be taken with you (the frying pan you got for Christmas), or if it might be better to buy when you get there(washing powder, bathroom products), and save the packing space for something else!

The Fridge - If you are living in dorms/halls/on campus, check if you are allowed to have a bar fridge in your room, and if so, consider investing in one! This was my life saver at uni, as it keeps your food separate from everyone elses (helpful not only if you have allergies, but also prevents 'resi shopping'), and gives you somewhere to chill that six pack without fear of 'sharing'. Considering we had 12 people to one normal sized fridge, having one in my room made life so much easier, meant things didn't get mixed up, lost, or accidentally thrown out, and I didn't have to worry about finding space for my cold stuff when I got home from the super!

The Computer – Before you do anything, backup everything on your computer. I highly recommend getting an external hard drive before you go to uni, and making sure you backup regularly. I made the mistake of not, and have experienced the pain of losing a whole semester's work two weeks before exams. Lecturers are incredibly unsympathetic to this kind of situation. I went through three motherboards and two hard drives during my undergrad, before it died completely and I upgraded to a new laptop back in August. Every time, I lost stuff that was seriously important. If you don't have an external hard drive, try loading onto the uni server, backing up on discs, emailing things to yourself, and as a last resort, printing hardcopies. Also make sure your antivirus is up-to-date. You'll more than likely end up hooking into the uni network, get into some completely legal file sharing, and start accessing all sorts of new and marvellous websites during your degree. Unfortunately, this also means smartass IT students practicing their hacking skills, the usual virus threats, and all that jazz. Make sure you're protected! Other things to consider are making sure you have plenty of space left for your new work, and making sure your computer meets the uni's recommended minimum requirements.

Unit Stuff – If you already know the units/subjects you are undertaking this semester, jump online and read the unit guides. If you're like me, and like having them to hand, print them out and store them in the folder you bought for that subject. Have a look at the recommended reading list, but dear gods, don't actually buy any of them yet! Many textbooks on the recommended reading list find themselves looked at once or twice in that semester, and then relegated to the back of the bookcase. Wait until a week or so into semester, talk to your lecturers and tutors, and you may well save yourself some seriously $$$. Don't stress too much if the assignment questions are already sitting there, just take note, and file it away for later. This is more just to get you familiar with what you're diving into than to motivate you to start studying!

Documentation – Make sure you have a copy of your birth certificate, and any other important documents you could possibly need. You'll be amazed how often you need 100 points of ID, and only have about 80. What might you need them for? Applying for Centrelink or scholarships, applying for work or passports, providing proof of ID to real estate agents. Also consider whether you need to transfer your Electoral Roll address, or your drivers licence. If you're on residences, you can usually get away with it, especially if you're moving home during breaks, or after uni. If you're living in a rental, you may have to seriously consider the change.



Well my friends, that's all I can think of at this very moment. What are your top tips for getting ready for uni? Have I left out something seriously important?

The Student's Guide to Finding Accommodation

Given that most of the offers for prospective university students came out this week, and by now you've probably decided whether or not to accept that offer, it's time to start thinking about accommodation for the academic year. You might be lucky, and have received a place in your home town, and therefore can continue on with your current lifestyle. However, if you're like the majority of people I know, and you have to move to attend university, what options are there available to you?



On Campus Residences – In my opinion, this is the best way to spend your first year, or even your whole degree! Most unis have halls or residences, and they are a great way to meet new people, make friends, and have a great time. There are usually good support systems in place for both academic and social stuff, events organised by your college committee or unit supervisor which are always a blast, and chances are, it'll be relatively close to the uni (Unless you're a Deakin Waterfront student, in which case Geelong residences are a good 7 km from campus). You don't have to worry about utility bills suddenly cropping up, and it usually works out being the same, if not slightly cheaper than renting a place. Food packages are available on some residences, but be warned that the food can be terrible, so be prepared for 'resi spread', and feeling sick from fat loading, and make sure you have a few packets of noodles for nights where you just can't bring yourself to eat it! If you miss the application date for on campus residences, it can pay to put in an application or expression of interest anyway. While you might miss out for the start of semester, sometimes people will start uni, and decide residences, or even university in general, is not for them, and rooms can become available a month or two down the track. A lot of people also move off res mid-year, so if you're interested, try applying mid-year too.



Rental – If you have the dough, or are moving to a new town with a few friends, you may like to consider renting. Start looking in the next week or so, because by the time you find a place, get the lease signed, and get moved in, it's going to be getting toward Orientation Week. Prices of properties can vary hugely depending on size, age, location, and how well maintained it has been, so know your limit and stick to it. If you know people in the area, you can get them to attend inspections for you, otherwise be prepared to travel a lot to find a place. Check out my five tips for house-hunting students for some advice on looking for a rental, and stay tuned for a post or two in the next few weeks on the same subject.



Share Houses & Boarding – If you can't afford to rent on your own, and don't know anyone in the town, there is also the option of share houses or boarding. Some of these are administered privately by the owner, others by real estate agents. Usually, you will have a furnished bedroom to yourself, including a bed, desk, and cupboard, and then shared kitchens, living areas, bathrooms, etc. You probably won't know other people in the house, unless you apply with a bunch of friends, and unlike residences there won't be organised functions, but you can end up making some good friends. The normal price in Geelong seems to be no more than $150 per week, and includes utilities. Another option is boarding. Some families open their houses to students, and will have a furnished room available in a family environment, often including meals, for varying amounts. Some of these are offered for students only needing 2 or 3 nights a week, others can be full time. You will usually be expected to contribute to household chores, but if you don't mind being in a family situation, this might be the way to go. Check with your student union or student services division, as they usually have contacts for families interested in billeting students.



Assistance – If you're having problems finding a place to stay, there are always people that can help. First port of call when you're facing the prospect of sleeping in your car is your uni's equivalent of the Division of Student Life, Student Services, or your Student Union. These places often have contacts for share accommodation, boarding houses, private rentals, or even emergency housing. Talk to estate agents to find out if there is anywhere appropriate coming up. Scour the classifieds section of the local papers. Consider commuting until you find a place. Something will come up, so don't stress too much if something doesn't present itself immediately.



My main piece of advice, no matter which route you take, is to shop around. Figure out what is best for you, your personality, your wallet, your academic goals, and your sanity.

What of you, mon petit chou? Have you any accommodation tips to share?

The Student Guide – An Introduction

So you got a university place.

First of all, congratulations! If it's anything like offer time at my house, you're probably opened the envelope (or checked the newspaper, or looked it up on the net), done a bit of yelling and jumping around, handed the letter to your mum, who has also screamed and jumped around and hugged you hard enough to break ribs, and then rung everyone you know to compare offers. Ok, so I'm a little more excitable than some people, but it was an important moment in life.

Then, you actually sit down and start to think about it. If you haven't been lucky enough to have siblings go through uni before you, chances are you have no idea what you are getting into. I can't count the number of times during my degree my friends and I used the words "I wish someone had told me XYZ". So, with 4 years and counting of university experience of my own, and the additional experience of my friends and family, I bring you The Student Guide!

Now, given that I live in Geelong, and go to Deakin University, the timing will largely be set around their academic year, and social posts will no doubt be littered with references to local venues. However, I will strive to keep the majority of the content helpful to uni students no matter where you are, or what you're studying! For those of you who don't know me personally, a little bit of background on my academic background, so you have an idea where future posts are coming from. I attended high school in Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, took a gap year working as a bookkeeper, and then moved to Geelong to study a B. Forensic Science at Deakin University. After my first year, I decided that I didn't actually like my chemistry-heavy degree, and transferred into B. Science instead, completed in 2008. I graduated with a major in Forensic Biology, and minors in Physiology and Criminology. I completed my honours with the School of Medicine at Deakin University in 2009, and received Class 1 honours for my project looking at Cancer Cachexia. In 2010, I'm commencing my PhD with the same lab, on the same project, studying part-time while working to support myself. I lived in on-campus residences for 3.5 years, I've done the all-nighters, argued with the faculty, begged for extensions, had two computers die mid-semester, forgotten many a good night on the town, lived off less than $20 a week, and edited more essays (mine and others) than I care to remember. I'm hoping that during that time, I learnt something I can impart on others starting their journey into the halls of academia. Starting now…

I got an offer. What now?

Well, hopefully your offer from the university came with instructions on how to accept, defer or decline it. This is something to consider very carefully. If you got more than one offer, forget the degree itself for a moment, and think practically. Where are your offers from? Are you comfortable moving to a new area if you have to? If you have to move a long way, are you comfortable with not seeing your family for extended periods of time? Are you looking for somewhere totally new? When I moved to Geelong, I often didn't see my family for 5 months or more at a time, which was often difficult, especially as I had never even been to Geelong before, and knew no one. That said, it was also great to be able to start from scratch, make new friends, discover new places, and I had a great time. Once you've had a good think, consider the degrees themselves. What units do you have to do? Does it fit with where you envisage your career at the end of it? What electives can you choose from, and can you do electives from other schools or faculties within the university? Are there any conditions attached to enrolment? Is it a new degree, or has it been changed recently? This last night sound trivial, but newly introduced degrees will change a lot in the first few years while the faculty figures out what works best, and students tend to be used as guinea pigs to iron out the problems, which can be very disadvantageous to you.

Hopefully, you've decided which offer you're going to take up, so then there is the question of whether or not to defer your offer for 12 months. Can you afford to go to uni straight away, or do you really need to work to earn enough to meet that ever-changing Youth Allowance requirement through Centrelink? Unless you have parents that can support you, an amazing scholarship that will sustain you, or are planning to work nights and sleep through lectures, university can be hellish without Centrelink's support. I know, I did it for the first two years, so consider it very carefully. Speaking of Centrelink, put in your intention to claim Youth Allowance NOW if you haven't already, and start getting the paperwork together. The sooner the better, so you can figure out the best way to get around conform to their independence conditions.

Another consideration when deciding whether or not to defer is academic burn out. You've just finished at least 12 years of schooling, including 12 months of hard core VCE/NTCE/HSC study. Chances are, you want to have a bit of a break from the books and squinting at an essay in Word. For some, the summer is long enough, and they're ready to hit the ground running. However, taking 12 months also has its advantages. You can travel, or get into the work force for a bit, and make some serious money (some of which could end up in your savings account), decide if university is right for you, and grow up a bit. One thing you notice a lot is that many of the students who took a gap year approach uni with a different attitude to those straight from high school. Maybe it's just the extra year to get away from petty high school politics, or maybe it's a different approach to study, sometimes it's hard to put a finger on.

So, you've made a decision, now for the paperwork! Make sure you know what the deadline to accept or defer your offer is, as often late fees do apply, or you may even lose your place. This goes for any associated scholarship or accommodation offers too! Make sure you have all the things you need, and put them in the post as soon as humanly possible. Since I started my undergraduate degree, some admissions centres have started doing online acceptances, which makes things easier, but don't leave it to the last minute, as you may have to content with heavy web traffic, thunderstorms, black outs, or computers dying. If you're like my brother, he had to attend an interview with the university before he even received an offer, which had a whole bunch of other wonderful problems attached to it, but he couldn't submit any paperwork until after the interview had taken place. Some of the paperwork can be submitted at enrolment day, such as HECS-HELP forms and the like, so make sure you don't lose them before then!


That's all for now, but keep an eye out for new guides on Wednesdays, and feel free to submit questions or ideas for posts! I promise they will get better as we go!


Light, Love & Laughter,
Neysa <3

The Student Guide - Six Steps to Start Saving

Happy Monday has been put on indefinite hold (mostly because other than an amazing NYE, I've done very little other than work, or bus between Geelong & Lorne looking at houses), but after a week of relative mental downtime, I'm back on track, with a new segment – Tight-Ass Tuesday.


As a uni student, or anyone in the low income bracket, you quickly learn how to do things on a shoestring budget. Unfortunately, this can make saving for things you actually want incredibly difficult. A trip overseas, a new car, the bond for your dream apartment, or even a wardrobe makeover, you find yourself trying to put money away, but never getting any closer. Today, I'm going to try to help you get a head-start on your savings, and hopefully help you help them grow! Bit of a disclaimer – Please don't take this advice in lieu of that of a financial advisor. This is just common sense stuff, from my own experience. It may not work for all of my readers, nor do I recommend following this advice if it will place you in a difficult financial position. Use the brain the goddess gave you!



Find a good savings account – A bad savings account can kill your hopes before you've even made it out the door. What you are looking for is an account with no minimum balance, no minimum monthly deposits, low fees, no penalties for withdrawals, and that pays interest. Things happen, and sometimes you have to withdraw your savins, or move them around, and sometimes you need to use ALL of it. If this happens, you really don't want to get penalised for it. If you can prove you're a student, a lot of banks and credit unions will charge you lower fees on your accounts, or sometimes remove them altogether. Be careful when you are looking at different accounts, and make sure there are no hidden fees.

I have an ANZ Online Saver account in addition to my every day account. You can only access your funds online, which means you can't accidentally withdraw the lot from an ATM on a drunken bender, but it only takes 30 seconds online to make them accessible. There is no minimum balance, unlimited transactions, and you don't have to put in a minimum amount per month in order to earn interest. Even better? No fees, ever. At the moment it's earning 4% interest p.a., which is actually more than some of their savings accounts with strings attached. Commonwealth Netbank Saver, NAB iSaver and Westpac eSaver are all very similar to the ANZ account, though with lower interest rates of around 3.5% p.a. Some of the banks also have introductory offers of higher rates attached, but be careful to read the fine print, sometimes they only last a month or two, and suddenly you find yourself lumped with a bunch of fees, or a lower interest rate. Talk to your financial institution (or others if you're not satisfied), and figure out which account suits you best!


Regular additions – Once you've set up an account, and filled out all that paperwork, it's time to start saving! If you can, set up a regular transfer from your every day account into your savings account, be it $10 or $100 a fortnight. You can usually set this up to be an automatic transfer, so you don't even have to think about doing it. If you're like me, and aren't always sure what financial hurdle the fortnight between pays will bring, try transferring the majority of what is left in your every day account into your savings account the day before your next pay is due. Some weeks it might not be a lot, some weeks it might be heaps, but either way, it's money going towards your savings! Also think of it this way – the money sitting in your every day account might be easily accessible, but it's probably not earning any interest! Make that money work for you, even if a few days later you have to transfer it back into your every day account!


One off bonuses – Do you get a scholarship that comes in a lump sum every semester? Did your giddy Aunt Lola give you an awesome birthday gift of pretty plastic notes? Tax return burning a hole in your pocket? Deposit the lot into your savings account! You probably have a couple of things that were urgently awaiting that windfall, and if so, sort them out, but anything left over, try to put away. It's ok to have a bit of a splurge when a large amount of money lands in your account, but try not to go overboard. If you're tempted, try to think of all the things you have to pay for in the next three months, and if your usual income will cover it if you spend your current bonus. The majority of the time, my scholarships had to go toward rent, food and textbooks, but if I could get away with it, the majority always got dumped into the savings account for at least two weeks, because other than the warm fuzzy feeling you get from having a healthy looking bank account, it was money working for me for a change!


Watch your spending – Keep an eye on what you're transferring money out of your account to pay for. Is it an everyday expense, a big night out, or because you're not going to have net for a while, and want to make sure you have the money available if you need it? Spend as you normally would, but try to notice patterns in your spending. Is there something that is cropping up a lot that is taking a big chunk out of your savings? If so, is it something you can curb? When I first started trying to save, I noticed that I would take $20 out of my account, and spend it on random stuff. Stopped carrying around cash, miraculously the random buys occurred less frequently. I also stopped eating so much crap food, but that's a subject for another post!


Small rewards – Just because you're trying to save doesn't mean you can't occasionally reward yourself for your efforts. Set yourself a milestone, say $500. If you reach that amount, do something special that isn't going to erase all that hard work – have your nails done, go out to dinner, or to a movie, something that you would normally refrain from because of the cost. It might seem counter intuitive, spending your hard-saved dollars, but it is a positive reinforcement – you did the right thing, you saved the money, and you've acknowledging it through a positive action. Don't forget to set your next goal though, or you might be tempted to spend the lot!


Setbacks – It doesn't matter how hard you save, setbacks can and will happen. Medical emergencies, car problems, unexpected travel, Christmas, there will always be times where you have to spend money in a way you had not originally planned, and it can cause a massive upset to your savings account. Don't stress, it's only money, and if you've gotten there once, you can do it again. Just take a breath, look at what steps you took worked, what didn't, and start again.



With these sensible tips in hand, hopefully your savings shall grow! It takes time, and willpower, but if you want it, you can get there!


How about you folks? Any good experiences with a particular type of savings account? What are your top tips for squirreling money away?

The Student Guide - 5 Tips for Househunters

Whoops, it's the first week of 2010, and I'm already behind in my New Years resolutions! Unfortunately, between work and travelling to house hunt everyday, I have largely neglected the Diatribe this week. Yes, still that famed hunt for the new digs. Things are, thankfully, looking up in that area. Not only are there some really great properties popping up in my price range, my mum has come to the party and is signing onto the lease with me, which will hopefully make things a lot smoother going in terms of getting applications approved. At present, the tally now stands at:

• 12 inspections
  
• 6 application submitted & 4 rejected
  
• I've lost count of how many email enquiries (it was 15 today alone!)
  

Now, as soon as you say the word 'student', a lot of landlord's go running. Add to that the words 'casual work', and no matter what you make a week (or if you have a parent willing to pay a large chunk of the rent), there is probably not a chance in hell that you're going to be given a place over that middle-aged suit with a stable, full-time job. This has been my problem so far, it's not that I'm a bad applicant, it's just that there are BETTER applicants. It's not because agents are nasty, it's because they're being practical. Of course, students have a reputation, albeit somewhat undeserved, of being bad tenants, of trashing houses, being late with rent, throwing loud parties that annoy the neighbours, you name the trait, chances are it's attributable to the student stereotype (In all honesty, I have yet to meet a student who is like this, or that can afford to lose the bond!)

So, how do you increase your chances of making a good impression on the agent and landlord, and of getting the lease for your dream house?

1. Know your limits – It's no good finding the house of your dreams, and then discovering that it is out of your price range. Really, it's just not worth the heartache. Do some budget calculations, figure out what your absolute upper limit is, and then stick to your guns. Don't be tempted to go for that property that is just $20 a week more, because you will quickly find yourself in dire straits. If you want something outside your price range, consider the idea of sharing with friends or other students, as this can halve your rent and your bills, and gives you scope for a bigger property. Know how many bedrooms you need, what features you want in the living areas and the kitchen, and figure out is having a yard is a priority. Also know what areas you are interested in and how far you are willing to travel to get to work, uni, the supermarket, buses or the pub. To start off with, you might think that hour commute from your new place is well worth it, but that fuel bill is going to add up quickly, and consider how much earlier you have to get up to get organised and to classes, work or appointments compared to living a suburb or two away.
   
   
2. Presentation – How many people do you see rocking up to an inspection looking like they're just thrown on whatever was in the laundry hamper? Unless it's for a swank, inner city property, I'd bet there'd be quite a few. Ditch the old t-shirt, baggy jeans and sneakers. At the very least, dress neat casual. If it's for somewhere where you know there will be a lot of applicants, dress up a bit, try to stand out! Think of this like a job interview, and dress accordingly. After all, that's exactly what it is, it is the first chance for the agent to suss you out! Having a pen and notebook in hand will also help, not only giving you somewhere to take notes like rent, bond, and existing contents, but it looks like you mean business. I always take my laptop/briefcase, looks a lot more professional than my bright purple handbag, or my much-loved rucksack.
    
3. Show up on time – If you're going to a house inspection, make sure you're there bang-smack on time, if not a few minutes before. If you're late, what's to stop the agent thinking that you're unreliable or unorganised, even that you're not going to pay your rent on time? It also means that you have the maximum amount of time to look through the property, poke around in cupboards, make note of any issues, and find out if your bed is going to fit in that tiny bedroom. Unfortunately, many agents fail to ascribe to this, and are often late for these appointments, leaving applicants standing around in the sun for 10 minutes or more. I've had this happen quite a few times, and it's infuriating, but try not to lose your cool about it. Remember, this is an interview. Just let them know that you've been inconvenienced, then move on. It may also pay off to ring up the agent the day of the inspection to ask that the inspection is still on. Many a prospective tenant has turned up to an inspection, only to discover that it is no longer available. I learnt the hard way, after standing around on a sunny, 30^oC day waiting for an agent for 30 mins, who had already leased the property, had decided not to turn up for the inspection time, and hadn't bothered to tell any of the 12 other prospective tenants that the property was no longer available. It pays to double check!
    
4. Ask questions – Engage the agent, get them to answer some questions about the property. Not only does this help you, it gives the definite impression that you're interested in the lease. Ideas include rent and bond amounts, when it's available, if pets are allowed, what the utilities costs are like, if the neighbours are noisy, if the landlord has plans to fix the leaky taps, where the fuse box is, if there's been much interest in the property, when the application should be in by, etc. Make sure you write everything down for later reference, don't expect to be able to remember every detail 3 days and several properties later.
   
   
5. Be prepared – Be ready to get an application in early! Many properties are practically leased before the inspection even takes place, in many instances making it merely a formality for the right applicant. If you can, download the forms and submit them to the agent prior to the inspection with a note saying subject to inspection, or if that's not possible, hand them to the agent at the inspection if you decide you like the property. If you can't get the forms beforehand, take copies of your supporting documentation to the inspection with you, and fill out the application on the spot (that pen you bought along comes in handy). You'll usually need 100pts of ID (Drivers Licence, Passport, Medicare or healthcare cards, bills, etc), payslips or bank statements as proof of income, and the contact details of 3 people to act as referees. If you can't fill it out on the spot, try to have it in within 24 hours! A lot of the time, it's first in, first reference checked, so getting your forms in ASAP can put you near the top of the pile, and hopefully approved before the others even get theirs in!
   

Now I'm turning it over to you guys! What are your tips for having the best shot at getting that awesome house? Have you had any shocking run-ins with estate agents?


Image Credit -  Tina Kugler @ The Tina Show: Post-it Note Theatre. I love her drawings!

Hunting continued, and a new passion

• 16 email enquiries lodged to agents
  
• 5 inspections
  
• 2 application submitted
  

Yes, I'm keeping track! Another house inspection yesterday, beautiful little unit, freshly painted and carpeted, lots of natural light, good location, and a tiny yard big enough for the clothes line and not much else (low maintenance! Put in an application on the spot, and as they checked my references yesterday, I'm hoping to hear back in the next day or two. *crosses fingers, toes, arms, eyes* Also got to drop in on the Porter Av. boys for a few hours, and have lunch with the muso, yay for people in the real world!

In the mean time, I've decided to start something of a new blogging project. After many months of reading my favourite blogs (links in My Inspirations -->), I've decided to start a regular segment aimed at new university students. Many a time my friends and I have sat talking about uni, wishing that someone had told us this or that when we started. As my own brother is starting uni in the new year, and I'm anticipating all sorts of questions from him, I figured why not share with everyone else too? So, every Wednesday from the 4^th January, I will be attempting to blog something helpful for those living as students, be it academic advice, budgeting tips, or the best spot for a cheap beer! If you have any suggestions, or questions you'd like answered, feel free to leave a comment or drop me a line!

As well as the "Been There, Done That" Guide (I'm still working on a name =P), Friday is foodie day! I love cooking, and am rather languishing at the moment without a proper kitchen to play in. Figuring out what to do with the meagre pickings of a uni student's pantry has always been a challenge, and over the years, my friends and I came up with many ways to make your dollar go further. So I'll be blogging some of my favourite recipes, as well as those that got me through those months where I had stuff-all other than rice in my cupboard! Might also throw in a blog or two on good places to eat out, for those weeks when money magically remains in the bank account!

So, my readers! What would you like to see me blog about? Any burning questions you want answered?