Make the most of your Unitec experience
Kia ora, everyone!
Welcome back to all re-enrolled students and welcome to the party for all those of you with your tertiary lives kicking into gear for the first time this semester! Might I be the first to congratulate you on your decision to study here. Make the most of the experience, meet as many new faces as you can and if you have any trouble, My door is always open.
I hope the returning students amongst you got through your exams in one piece. I know personally that exams have a tendency to bring out the worst in people - you always forget that one thing you need, you know? Like to bring your book to an open book exam. Or - if given a take-home exam - where you live. Whether it’s a calculator, a ruler, your student ID or that coin you flip when you don’t know how to answer a particular true-or-false question, there’s always something. And even in those situations where you do have all the required equipment, there’s still a chance that you’ll get the day wrong or arrive an hour late. Or maybe that’s just me?
Well, regardless, I’m sure you all went hard and got the results you deserve. If you feel the result wasn’t what you deserve, don’t forget that you can come and have a chat with one of our advocates about grade appeals. And if you know you didn’t do that well, and want to work on your study skills, it might be worth setting up an appointment with Unitec’s learning support centre Te Puna Ako.
But all academic tom-foolerance aside, it’s great to see you back on campus. Unitec isn’t the same without ya! You’ve surely enjoyed the holidays and despite some labelling it a “study break” you probably managed to do all the things that make free time crazy and exciting; mini golf, monopoly, rubik’s cubes and the like. And don’t think the excitement has to stop there! We have some wicked events rolling out for Reorientation. Keep your eyes peeled for what’s on and get involved with everything you can!
Staying hip in changing times:
Working full-time at the USU, I don’t get holidays in the traditional student fashion anymore. But in order to not feel left out, I took a week’s leave during the break and went on a road-trip! It was absolute madness. Auckland to New Plymouth to Wellington to Taupo to Rotorua to Raglan and then back to Auckland in six days. Next time you get the chance, find a group of eight friends, rent a couple of caravans (around $180 per person), chuck in $100 gas each, plan your route and hit the road! There aren’t many things more extreme than road-trips, get in on the action!
Pete!
Get To Know Your Exec: Rose Damon
Rose, 22, is in her third year of a Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts, with a directing major at the Mt Albert campus.
What is your role on the USU exec and what does the job entail?
I am a General Exec member, which means that I was elected to represent the interests of the general student body in decision-making on an executive level at the USU. It basically involves going to meetings and being a voice for student issues.
What have you done for students so far this year?
I have represented students on the Faculty of Creative Industries and Business Academic Committee, encouraged student representation, addressed student concerns about Unitec's Intellectual Property Policy with the IP Officer and have begun work on an environmental sustainability policy for the USU. But there is a lot more I would like to do by the end of the year! If any students would like to contribute to a new environment policy for the USU, or have any other issues, then I would love to hear from them.
Sweet, Sour, or Spicy and why?
Spicy! I'm in Beijing at the moment and there's almost no other option! Plus it makes eating an adventure. How long has this street vendor had his pork out in the hot Beijing sun today? Don't know - too spicy to tell! But we'll find out tomorrow, won't we.