The saga continues

The current affairs giude

As the nation gasps once again over yet another matter of concern one just cannotr escape the niggling feeling that all is now liost when it comes to morals in South Africa.

Too great an expectation.

The current affairs guide



MIRACLE:South African's expectations require miracles sometimes.<www.widecircus.com>



So with all the jubilation and elation that comes from the entire nation and is normally  demonstrated firsthand by the multitudes that swarm ORTIA(Oliver Tambo International Airport) every time our athletes return from a major sporting event.I cannot get out of my mind, the high degree of expectations that were placed on our athletes in London.From the big names to the not so big. I  could almost touch the fervent expectations that were visible in everyone.Every athlete who took part was expected to come back with a Gold medal or a Medal at least. A very funny scenario comes to my mind,This happened during the Men's 200m Final in which Anaso Jobodwane;a South African, took part.Now to say that he didn't stand a chance would be an understatement(What, with Usain Bolt,Yohan Blake and the rest of the top Six finishers during the Men's 100m final, gunning for the medals).



HAD ENOUGH: an irate fan.<www.chitty.wordpress.com>



Now I must to my defence point out that the South African's  Running Gear was very similar to that of the Jamaicans.And so as Bolt and Blake were leading the pack,all of us at res watching were clenching our fists and grinding our teeth  because we thought the South African was the Third guy.I tell you when they all  reached the Finnish line, all of us were jumping up and down hugging each other, only to realise about 5 minutes after the race that the Third guy was actually Jamaican.This had me thinking about how insanely we expect our athletes to perform miracles although we don't support them with  the same enthusiasm whilst their still training or preparing.

Notable examples of  such unfounded expectations which is preceded by a  great lack in support of the athlete can be read in an article where Swimmer, Roland Schoeman blasts SASCOC(South African Sports and Olympic Committee) and the Government's lack of support leading up to the Olympics

http://www.sport24.co.za/OtherSport/Olympics2012/Schoeman-slams-gov-Sascoc-20120804.

Other athlethes that spring into mind include:

• Caster Semenya-Who despite being a previous world champion was surviving on only Two sponsors (with the government taking care of her education)http://www.iol.co.za/the-star/sponsors-shut-door-on-caster-1.1362704

The last thing any of us ever think about is the relentlessness these athletes have to posses even to make it to such events as the Olympics.Maybe the next time around we should start by supporting the athletes every step of the way and not begin when they actually qualify for an Olympic final.











Sports:a nation's unifier

The current affairs guide



VICTORY:Its not a colour thing.Sourcewww.iol.co.za

It never siezes to amaze as to how an apparently divided nation like South Africa; which is plagued by division between diffent races,ethnic groups and even between the haves and have-nots. seems to disappear even if its for a matter of weeks, when sports is involved.

The currently underway olympc games have seen us as a country rally behind all of a our Athletes regardless of the skin colour or the language or their home language.

COLOURFUL: Team SA.Sourcewww.herald-dispacht.com

Our first Swimming Gold medal and coincidently that first to come from a home grown swimmer(A Swimmer that had not been trainng in overseas) had everyone jumping up and down for joy.It did not matter whether you were at a squatter-camp,a township or a suburb.Cameron van der Burgh's record-breaking feat, followed by Chad Le Clos's  win over Michael Phelps and the surprise package which came in forn of the rowing team,joined South Africans in a common purpose,celebrating.

Scenes from the various venues at the Olympics show jubilation last seen during the world cup.I can only hope that some day soon, the South African spirit that is ussually evident during major sporting matches and events is showcased even when they aren't any sporting events. Even Julius Malema spoke something positive for a change when he said commented on South Africa's performance thus far at the Olympics.

"Cameron told me that what happened to Banyana in Coventry should not damper the country's spirit, as the South African flag would be raised high when he accepts the gold medal,"Said sports minister,Fikile Mbalula.www.dailytimes.ng



The workplace!

Your guide through the "best years of your life"( Tertiary)

Newcomers: interns get a feel of the workplace.Source<www.piercemattiepublicrelation.com

Assuming that you followed at least half of the step by step guide that began about Eight weeks ago I pretty sure that you have now managed to not only graduate with rather impressive marks but that your over -all experience of Varsity was filled with memories and a host of strong freindships and that your name and work you did as part of the many sport societies and asporting or art teams will lead an everlasting on the schools itself. Now  back to real reason you came to school in the first place,Work, thats right because unemployment is such a big deal in this country you chose to increase your chances of being employable by coming to Tertiary, the University of Johannesburg to be exact. 

 Do you want the good or the bad news? ok ,ok i'll start with the good news.Because you have treid to to achieve or atleast to attempt to do most of the methods and activbities that are prescribed in this series of blogs you are employment material and it shouldn't take your long to find a job.

Now  comes the bad news, well let me add that these aren't really bad news but its something that every newcomer in any industry or occupation has to face,so what is you asking yourself, well its simply proving your worth!! yes, intrenching your place in the office, studio or anywhere you might be working.

The following, are just tips on how to ensure that everyone (except for those feeling threatened by you) knows youré the real deal.

*Know it all-Although you may know por think your know something but also give room for advice from people who are definetely more experinced than you.

*People pleaser-You want everyone to like you but be warned that by saying yes to every request  you will cause some people to see you as somebody to push around.

*Team Player-Even though you might still be new and  might not know a lot of people make sure that you do not isolate yourself.

*Workaholic-The bigshots that you see around driving big cars and earning heaps of many began by working tirelessly and sacrificing a lot, so if you really want to be success and climb the career ladder be prepared to live and breathe work.The following site will requip you with more tips to ensure that the workplace works for you>

Mentor, Mentor,Mentor

Your guide through "the best years of your life"(tertiary)

Mentor:The many characteristics that one should look for in a mentor.Source <www.fotosearch.com/photos>

A lot of people take for granted the great importance of insuring that they do not find themselves searching tirelessly for employment.Well not to say that this is a fire proof way but it will definitely help a great deal in improve your chances of avoiding being a statistic.So what is it? well its not rocket science-its merely making sure that you create contacts with the people who might be your prospective employers.the best way is to find someone to mentor you; shadowing them as they they go about making and clinching deals.

It is important to note that your choice of a mentor should be someone who is not only successful and knows ways to find success (Although that's  a great quality) but someone who will be able to give you  tips and pointers that would suit the state of being a newcomer that you will find yourself in.

The fact that they are a success should make you look for the unique aspects or key ingredients that are general to every situation and not just the way they do things-individual brilliance is something that is impossible to not only replicate but to imitate.the following site is filled with tips on identifying a mentor and making the experience beneficial to you as much as possible.www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFvw-u5ufd4/fourthingstolookforinamentor/

Qualities in a mentor such as such as the following are very vital if you really want to make it work;

*Character-The mentor should be someone who you admire and respect.

*Experience-You should also ensure that they have vast experience in terms of years and involvement.

*Availability-Your mentor should be some who you can reach and interact with regularly

*Positive-They should have positive things to say about the industry you about to enter and on your progress (Although the truth is a good thing,painting a bleak picture about everything is not.

Not only will this increase dramatically the likely hood of you finding employment, but it will increase your knowledge about the industry you are trying to enter. 

learn even outside the lecture hall.

The guide to the best years of your life (Tertiary)



EXPERIENCE ANYONE?: Students sharpening their skills in the workplace<www.lynchburg.edu>

By now it can safely be assumed that you have now found that comfortable balance and you are relaxed ,so much so that when holidays come around you sometimes no longer go home but would rather remain at school with Friends or you probably have something "worth sticking around campus for.Because you have now carved an existence in varsity and now see yourself as someone who going somewhere, it is safe to say that you can now begin to plan your future at the work place or as a self employed entrepreneur.
Firstly,in order for you to gain a foothold in the type of industry you plan on plying your trade in.Now because I am speaking primarily on the part of media or communications Fields, the best ways in which to ensure that you re future is secured is to make sure that you familiarise yourself with activities that will one day place you at an advantage. Auguste Rodin sums it all up when he says " Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely".

By now you should be involved in activities that will sharpen your skills and t hat will certainly make you stand out against the many media graduates who will be seeking employment just like you.

*Join a society whose activities are in line with what you plan on doing.
*Involve yourself in media related platforms such as the school newspaper or the Radio station.
*Or start involving yourself in industry related professional sites such as Linkedn.

With that said, it should be noted that the aim or point of doing all of this is to emerge from school as an individual who is unique and who has confidence in the ideas that they put out.

Represent!



students from Priceton University help uplift a community<http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/









Now that your conscience is clear because you have involved yourself in the many societies in school and are doing an extra-mural activity/activities and you have started and probably continuing to help others by means of supplying information and introducing them to institutions that may offer help, it is now time to start become a proper testament of a communication student by means of making sure that wherever you are you ccommunicate either verbally or non-verbally a message that will reflect a positive and effective impression of not only, but the University of Johannesburg.
In doing this, you unintentionally become a brand ambassador  and your conduct will serve to portray an image of the institution whether it's good or bad rests squarely on your shoulders.The following tips are here in order to guide you in realising that everything you do reflects on the institution you are a part of.Things such as

*Always being willing to lend a helping hand to learners that need  help from someone like you who has managed to not only make to Tertiary, but has also managed to obtain satisfactory marks

*making sure that when you do partake activities such as partying, that you do not find yourself in a situation that will cause your name to be tarnished

*always be available to share with your Friends or peers about how your institution is able to provide the highest quality education that they may need.

*And lastly,being willing to involve yourself in initiatives that help develop the community.

The following website although not addressing the specific methods I am talking about, will serve to show that wherever you go you properly represent your school's image.It is sure to give you more ways to  make use of in representing your institution effectively;
 http://www.usatodayeducate.com/staging/index.php/study-abroad/avoid-being-the-ugly-american-student-study-abroad
  In closing i would like to leave with these words from Ernest Bramah, he simply says,"A reputation for a thousand years may depend upon the conduct of a single moment"

coming of age.

a student helps a pupil with information.http://www.gviusa.com/programs/long-term-teaching-south-africa

a guide throught"the best years of your life(tertiary)

whether or not one has planned or indeed dreamt of being in varsity is irrelevant see, the most relevant factor is simply one's willingness to be there.And whether or not that person wants to stay there and be dedicated to the course that will then change one's life for the better, will be demonstrated by their commitment to their studies, and their ability to balance that with an active and certainly a pro-active sojoun at varsity which will include being involved in school affilliated and also outside activities not forgetting the odd night out in the town with freinds.

But perhaps the most notable contribution one can make, is simply to do what ever one can to pave the way for others who still want to study further and pursue the career of their choice.E W Howe points to exactly that when he states that"If a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking him if there's anything you can do. Think of something appropriate and do it"

Indeed the most pressing need for those seeking to enter an institution higher learning is simply information.and whether the person in need of help is a:

• Freind
• Relative
• or just someone you know

The main point is to assist wherever one can.Through such things as collecting application forms and hand them out to one's freinds during the holidays or inviting one's sibling for a tour of the campus for them to see how wonderful varsity life is which might help motivate them or even directing them to institutions that can offer help.The following site provides further modes one can use to  inform or assist,www.nsfas.org.za/.

 

Getting involved!.

Your giude through the "best years of your life"(Tertiary)



Clemson university students take part in a school theatre production<collegeactingprograms.com>

Okay now that you have made steady and gradual growth into finding out about the ins and outs of varsity and, have managed to find you place in the social pecking order and have established a system of some sought, to help you balance your social life(if any) and the real reason you are at school;which is to further your studies.Now comes perhaps the most important coping mechanism that will make the 3, 4,5 or 6 years (depending on how persevering you are) that you will spend in tertiary attaining your qualifications.Extra curricular activities! yes, whether its playing sports, doing music or drama or joining one of the many societies on school which have activities ranging from debating to drawing Japanese anime', there is no credible or good excuse you can give for not getting involved.

OK i should admit to the fact that the main and for some, only reason you go to tertiary is to attend classes and tutorials and study as hard as you can in order to pass and eventually graduate,but it must be stressed that perhaps just as important, is make Friends who could turn out to be future business partners or key allies in particular industries or even life long Friends.See the truth is getting involved helps take your mind away for a bit, on the pressures of your studies.The benefit and importance of extra-curricular activities is best understood by visiting the following Internet site http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/1855/College-Extracurricular-Activities.html in it, is a more accurate description of the value that extra curricular activities can bring to your over-all Tertiary experience.An unknown author hits the nail on the head in saying"An educational system isn't worth a great deal if it teaches young people how to make a living but doesn't teach them how to make a life"and although spending every single minute on your books will definitely help you graduate but by sparing some of your time in such things as

• Athletics
• Academics or professional groups
• volunteer or community upliftment activities
• Arts

or any other worthwhile activities will serve to ensure that over and above the qualification you eventually leave with, you can look back on on your years in varsity and be nostalgic instead of feeling like the whole experience is worth forgetting.

 
 

studying is the ultimate recipe for academic success.

http://www.teachingcllegeenglish.com

Your guide through "the best years of your life" (varsity)


Okay, now that you are in and starting to be settled with the do and dont s of varsity life we now move on to the more serious and perhaps  the most significant part of being a student, as well as balancing the many acts one has to keep up whilst in varsity.
So over and above all the fun and games that one usually devotes a rather significant time to, whilst at school, the main and definitely the most important activity one has to partake in is, studying, yes even though i myself must admit that this is one activity that if unattended to will definitely send a person literally, back to square one.

“He who devotes sixteen hours a day to hard study may become at sixty as wise as he thought himself at twenty.”

Author Mary Wilson Little sums it up with this statement that points to the apparent importance of this activity. although the actual recipe to becoming a student who devotes a great-deal of their time to their books cannot be pin pointed the following site aims to equip or at least them to the right direction.http://www.cod.edu/people/faculty/fancher/study.htm

So with that said, it should be taken into account that the most satisfying method; by this i mean i method that will not one feel as if there are not living and books are the only thing they have to do all day, everyday.First of all it should be considered that hard work with not even a spare moment of fun is just not good for anyone, conversely it should also be taken into account that to much fun time and rather little time devoted to studying may ultimately leave one out in the cold in terms of academics.The following is a list of various ways in which one can fit in a schedule that would possibly meet both the need to socialise with Friends and also to be a student of distinction:

• Start studying even if the test or exam is still weeks or even months away; this is to allow for
  unexpected occasions that one can't often say no to.
 
• Try studying at least every day to allow for enough time for sleeping and doing other things.
• If it happens that one finds themselves behind schedule try not to skipping sleep; this will only worsen the predicament instead of easing it.

Although it can definitely be guaranteed that following these steps or the advice given by the site through the link that has been given, will lead to guaranteed success , it can however be promised that they will be steady improvements.

 



Princeton Student and swimmer, Adlai Pappy, shows that academics and extramural activities can go hand in hand.photo from<www.priceton.edu>



Your guide through "the best years of your life"(Tertiary)



Okay now that you are finding yourself and have started to figure out what it is you want to do (As an activity when you are not busy studying) A few options are available for you to sink your novice hands into.First I will list potential activities for you that will certainly aid you in figuring out who you want to be remembered as when 15 to 25 years from now your offspring happens to find him or herself in this very varsity and is trying to track down the legacy you left as a student here at UJ; Don't be silly, if you are marvelling at the technology that exists now, than imagine what stands to be invented about twenty years from now.With that said, i wish you would think carefully about the shenanigans you get up to whilst you are a student, because your kids might bump into it in the future!Now, allow me to short list the activities you can dabble in.First you can be the,

.The sport star-Whether its in Rugby, Soccer,Cricket or any other recognisable sport, you are bound to leave some sort of a legacy; whether it is good or bad is up to you. And the second option available  is that of being,

.The top student-Now first of all I should let you know that if you happen to choose to live out your years in varsity as this type of guy or girl,then you must be ready to let go of your inner party animal and be ready to address the librarian and the library assistants on a first name basis.Don't worry, your friend's parents will love you to bits,but I doubt whether this will make you 'cool' with guys or girls.Thirdly we have ,

.The hustler-Now all this means is that you could be the go to guy or girl for everything, whether its the latest soft-ware that will turn  you into a geek's best friend ,fashionable goods sold at knocked down rates or Textbooks that no one can get hold of at the school's bookshops or tickets to the hottest shows at the school's theatre.At number four we have

.The jack of all trades-Now this guy/girl has got to be the coolest, simply because he/she is part of the schools athletics team, he/she is also part of the debating team and also a journalist in the schools newspaper.But the best thing about him/her is simply the fact that everyone wishes they were him/her.Jokes aside if you need help with balancing your academic and social life then please pop a visit to this site.

http://www.mycollegesuccessstory.com/academic-success-tools/college-life-balance.html

In summing up I wish to stress that only you can make school the most profitable experience ever, and American academic and Philosopher W.E.B Du bios somes it up well when he says,

“The function of the university is not simply to teach bread winning, or to furnish teachers for the public schools, or to be a centre of polite society; if is, above all, to be the organ of that fine adjustment between real life and the growing knowledge of life, an adjustment from which forms the secret of civilisation.”

The Balancing Act

The guide through "the best years of your life" (Tertiary)

According to a lot of people, your tertiary years are supposed to be the best years of your life. But why?  Well simply because they give you the chance to become a whole new person, I mean think of it. During your primary through to your high school years, your constant battle was fitting in.

Whether it was for a spot in the top five percent of the smartest kids in school, or the sport stars of the school who brought in silverware and countless medals to the school which in turn brought them adoration from both the learners and the teachers at the school or maybe you secretly marvelled at the why some kids could be the class clowns and somehow still be able to become the teacher’s pet, or maybe you went to one of those schools which had a total different social pecking order, a school were the smokers and the dice players were looked up to either way you still wanted to fit in. Fast forward about ten years later, at this point your main or primary concern is to make sure that little Themba does not get into fights at school or that boys stay as far away as you can possibly make them, from daddy's little girl. Whew! Depressing isn't it, but the saddest part is that you will be that mom or dad someday.

 Now back to the present, first of all, varsity life is filled with many influences that will make you feel like you  are the coolest dude ever to set foot in the Southern hemisphere, but perhaps the saddest thing is that you  can swiftly move from that, to feeling like the most pitiful looser that ever ate, drank and slept. Well in all fairness, you might never actually experience how both opposites   actually feel, simply because you are a PR student. Alright, alright maybe that’s a bit of a stretch but seriously though, the communication skills that often seem like a “drag" or a punishment for forgetting to say grace before you ate last night, will one day make you one of the best in whatever path you choose to follow. Okay enough with the preaching, but allow me to quote one of my favourite and  the most motivating people I have ever seen, and simply say" Greatness does not announce the path it is found in, one simply comes across it on the way, chasing their dreams" Oh and by the way, I am that person!  Of course, I see myself almost every day, in the mirror.

the last lap(or not)

Wow the year and all its up and down turns has begun.Holidays maybe nice and relaxing ,but the remains,when you have been out of your usual daily grind you just can't help but miss it.I mean sure sitting idly works for some people but for the rest of us there is a certain rush or feeling of being alive when you wake earky in the morning and come back late at night tired as a work horse.Enough with all of that though, see, the real point i'm trying to make is simply that if you have been taking a "break" from attending to the things that you know you need to attend to.let me put it like this,tehy say the world is going to end this year so wouldn't you like to end your last year on earth in style? The point is, whether or not you actually do achieve some or most of the things you had planned for 2012 i think you will feel good wherever it is you're headed.So if you happen to find yourself in heaven or hell for that matter you will stay there knowing you kicked *ss on earth!
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