Having a taste of all the flavoured ice-cream

Reflexive piece

It is almost time for my final exams, wow it's end of the year. Time has gone past so quickly, it seems like just yesterday when I packed up my bags and came to Rhodes. It is so difficult to reflect because everything is still fresh in my mind. The year cannot end now, I have nothing to show for.

I try look at what I have done for the past nine months of the year. Firstly I think that I have pulled through a hectic year of work, deadlines, friendships and the most unbearable people and situations. Surviving first socially has not been such a huge challenge for me, because it is not my first year studying away from home, however it has not been easy academically. After taking a gap year, it was difficult getting back into studying, learning and actually doing school work. Waking in the morning and going to class has also been very challenging, but has kept me young at heart.

When I look back I must say the the first term was definitely best and everyone should definitely enjoy that time of the year. It started off with orientation week where I got to meet a lot of people with complete different backgrounds. With journalism assignment(the profiles) it helped me to ease to a new environment.

I am glad I have not fallen prey to popular groups or trying to fit in because I do believe that I am a strong willed person and with the morals I have been taught at home it is easy for me to apply these lessons and stay grounded. But I have learned that not all people are the same and can see it in some of my friends. They still have that high school mentality that you have to do certain things by compromising your standards to be liked.

There are many things I regret like not having random hook-ups, you know, just going with the flow or just drinking and dancing like there's no tomorrow because there is more to life than being serious and always worrying about doing your school work and impressing your parents. That's what I thought first term. But there is a time a place for everything, I do regret not putting enough effort into my academics and my June results evidently exposed me. But what sucks now it the fact that I do my best and it doesn't show and I ask myself if this is worth it, is it really worth my mother's money and my time and grey hair. The year is about to come to an end. Fourth term is off to a start and we are introduced to blogging as a genre in journalism. I thought that this was a great idea until we had to set up our own blog(the content and the layout), everything had to be thought out thoroughly and regularly posting blogs that is relevant to our audience. It is not easy, and it takes time and patience. Blogging according to me is something one would want to do if you have time and express yourself without being limited by genre and references.
Although I did not appreciate being limited, the criteria helps one with a clear and focused argument and it was empowering in a constructive manner. It was also difficult to meet up with my group members because doing the blog took time and effort and I was lucky enough to have competent team mates and it has worked out. Every time I had a blogging deadline, it would be frustrating and because it is part of the curriculum I had to do it and in the end, and many of us were not impressed with the journalism department for doing this to us, however I have learned enormously about blogging.

For future reference, blogging could be introduced in the first term where is a lot more time. First years also get to know one another and it would be easier then to work in groups. Lecturers should also not assume that all students are computer geniuses and we have and idea of blogging. There should be a few classes that are offered on how to start your blogs, because many students encounter problems with setting it up and posting assignments.

Overall blogging and the whole year of work overload was not as bad as students are saying. I think that it is just the stress that it is the last term and final exams are coming up, that we become frustrated. But student concerns should be taken into account and therefore making it more pleasant for future first year journalism students.