I see you there, your desk ornamented with fourteen empty coffee cups, pretzel crumbs and the smeared vestiges of a chocolate bar, trying to cram a stack of Pringles and an entire semester of STAT into your head at the same time. Learn how to fuel your body with the right foods.
Here you are again. You’ve procrastinated yourself into a massive hole, haven’t you? After all those promises you made yourself, you’re staring down the tracks at a fast approaching week 12 and you can’t seem to make your legs move. You have a few options here, but they all basically boil down into two: Stay under that torn, …
Need help with that dreaded assessment? Learn how Learning Development can help you gain those extra marks.
Viewing yourself as a leader of tomorrow can seem like an impossible goal. But even the greatest minds of our time had to start somewhere. So why not start right now at the University of Newcastle? If you’re looking to see change on a global scale and make lasting connections, it’s time for you to check out iLEAD Plus; the program for establishing tomorrow’s leaders.
“New doesn’t follow. It takes the lead,” says UON Global International Engagement Officer, Maria Avia.
“The iLEAD Plus program at the University of Newcastle is designed to empower our most future-focused students. iLEAD Plus scholars draw from diverse experiences and are determined to inspire others—driving to extraordinary outcomes.”
The unique program aims to cater to your individual leadership goals, as well as expand and build upon your networking skills. After all, it’s not just what you know, but who you know. iLEAD Plus is great for helping you make connections with UON’s wide network of alumni, which otherwise might be hard to establish.
iLEAD Plus is built on six agilities which have been identified as necessary to be leaders in a rapidly evolving global workforce. These are: new media literacy, building relationships with influence, leveraging and valuing diversity, global citizen, entrepreneurial mindset and positioning.
The iLEAD Plus program is delivered in three stages. Each of these stages focus on a specific area to facilitate your leadership skills, these being:
Stage one, ‘Emerging Leaders’ is all about learning what it means to be a leader and engaging in global citizen learning. You are exposed to a network of diverse leaders within the community, who aim to inspire you to create your own leadership goals.
“It involves four interactive workshops to learn and develop leadership capabilities in global citizenship with UON academic leaders across different disciplinary areas,” Maria said.
You also get the opportunity to partner with a mentor who will help you create an action plan to achieve your leadership goals. These mentors are professionals with expertise in a wide variety of industries.
Once you have successfully completed stage one, you can then apply for stage two. During this stage you further develop the iLEAD Plus agilities to ready yourself for your future career. The big focus of this stage is your pre-selected leadership experience. There’s heaps to choose from, such as attending the University Scholars Leadership Symposium in Bangkok! The workshops and mentoring throughout stage two will be tailored to whatever leadership opportunity you choose, with you having the chance to share your progress with others in iLEAD Plus.
Finally, stage three is a culmination of the hard yards you’ve put in iLEAD Plus and includes the opportunity to apply for international experiences.
There are numerous benefits of completing iLEAD Plus. These include:
Last, but not least, successful completion of iLEAD Plus will be included on your Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS) when you graduate. Basically, this statement shows employers all the neat extra stuff you did while studying.
Like most other courses at UON, iLEAD Plus is subject to enrolment numbers. You can express your interest for Semester 2 here. If you don’t get in, don’t fret – there’s always next time.
iLEAD Plus is your chance to build the skills, qualities and perspectives you need to be a great leader of tomorrow. So what you waiting for!?!? Those leadership skills aren’t going to appear out of nowhere.
For more information, visit https://www.newcastle.edu.au/study/ilead-plus-international-leadership/why-ilead-plus
While I’m sure you’re knuckles deep in pen ink and diving head first into those textbooks, why not detach yourself from your studies for a few hours and enjoy some arts and culture. You and I both know you’ve been working hard and deserve a textbook detox. So to sate your creative spirit, here’s a little list of all the best places to get a taste of arts and culture at UON.
One simple way to get in touch with your comedic side and release that dramatic spirit is to get involved with Uni Revue.
Uni Revue is a live theatre show that features all sorts of creative pieces and performances. Think: fun skits and great musical numbers.
Bachelor of Communication (Honours) student Jack Moran is now heading into his third Uni Revue, and couldn’t recommend it enough.
“The highlight of Uni Revue has always been getting to take those seemingly silly little skits and jokes I’ve written and get to not only see them come to life on stage, but also get to see people actually laughing at them and enjoying them. As a cast member it’s been an incredible opportunity to build my confidence in front of a crowd. Aside from all that, I’ve made some really great friends by being part of Uni Revue and it’s definitely been one of the best experiences I’ve had at uni.”
If you’re a budding writer, brainstormer, creative, actor, singer or filmmaker, why not register your interest now. You’ll be notified and encouraged to come along to the Uni Revue workshops, which will give you the chance to bring your ideas to the table. The Uni Revue team are also on the lookout for help with set design and stage management – so if that’s your thing go hit them up!
If being a part of the show is a bit too adventurous for you, come along and watch the show. You’ll see acts such as comedy sketches, songs and performance pieces, written and produced entirely by students. The shows are scheduled throughout Autonomy Week so make sure you catch a viewing – there are more details to come!
Do you ever find yourself watching a comedian’s special on Netflix and wondering how they got their start? This is one of those kinds of events.
Putting all puns aside, Sit Down Stand Up Comedy is one of the funniest gigs to ever hit UON. Expect an evening full of belly laughs and edgy zingers straight out of Godfrey Tanner Bar. Even better, the talent is typically home-grown, so not only are you rewarding your funny bone, you’re also supporting local budding comedians.
Ever wanted to express your artsy side? But not sure how? Why not join a club. This is a great way to test the waters and express your creative interests with like-minded people. With hundreds of clubs to choose from there’s got to be something in there that tickles your fancy. Here’s a just a few that UON has to offer.
The Newcastle University Drama Society (NUDS) is a club for anyone who wants to explore their performative, creative and expressive side. NUDS prides itself on its dedication to creating original works presented by only students of the University of Newcastle. No idea is too spicy! For all you Ourimbah students, there is also the Centre Stage Drama Club. Contact Yourimbah for more information.
The Hip-Hop Society aims to help the hip-hop scene grow, and to link people in with the hip hop community at the University of Newcastle. Whether you’re into the hip-hop dance culture or one of the other elements of hip-hop like DJing, MCing or graffiti, NHHS is open to all hip-hop lovers!
The UON Writers’ Club aims to bring together like-minded people to create the perfect and safe environment for its members to get creative together. Together they explore, share their stories and receive feedback. They also promote opportunities in relation to their writing like local events, workshops, writing comps and workshops.
Check out the rest of the fun, social and creative clubs available to join here at UON.
Watt Space is UON’s student art gallery, based in Newcastle City Precinct’s Northumberland House.
Fun fact: Watt Space is actually Australia’s longest running student gallery.
It’s a contemporary space in the heart of Newcastle that exhibits new work every three weeks by either current students or recent graduates of UON.
This gallery has been an inspirational cultural hub for our students and community for nearly 30 years. In 2018 the gallery welcomed a new, talented student committee and an extended student internship program to support its exciting and diverse calendar of exhibitions.
Affectionately known as ‘the Con’, the Conservatorium is the University’s – and dare I say, all of Newcastle’s – music haven. The Con prides itself on engaging with the community by delivering an extensive range of music lessons. This gem is also located in the Newcastle City Precinct and is in constant demand for concerts.
No matter how obscure the instrument is you want to learn, chances are the Con has classes for it. On top of individual tuition, there are nearly twenty different ensembles and choirs you can join.
Whether it’s classical, rock, jazz, pop, folk or electronic, the Con’s staff are experts in their fields who cater for all ages and levels of experience. Find a program to suit you.
If learning an instrument isn’t your thing, make sure to check out one of the many, many concerts performed here. Because really – is there anything better than live music?
So there you have it – a complete guide to the arts and culture at UON. What are you waiting for? Go get creative! *commences cello playing*
If you’re in your first or last year of university, one of the most valuable things you can take advantage of is the opportunity to get into contact with UON Alumni. No, not the triangle-eye, Bavarian secret society – university graduates!
Whether it’s sharing skills, knowledge, networking, or even just making new friends, getting involved with Alumni will truly take your university experience to the next level. Here are a few ways you can get more out of your time at university by involving yourself with your Alumni:
It’s often assumed that if you’re at university you have a clear idea of the exact job you want and know the steps needed to get there. For some people this is true, but for those of us who have come straight from school, have limited experience or have worked in fields entirely separate from our degree, it can be difficult to be sure about all of this.
By contacting Alumni you can find out more about your degree’s courses from someone who has already completed them, what your chosen industry is like and the day-to-day of jobs your degree can lead to.
Whether it’s discussing your major, the possibility of further study, switching degrees or even making sure university is the right path for you, it’s never too early or too late to speak with former students with real skills and experience to get better clarity on what you want.
Careers Advisor, Monique Kassi, says the earlier you reach out for support, the better. “It’s never too early to start building your professional network. Making contact with Alumni at the beginning stages of your degree can significantly support your career planning and development. Establishing a relationship with Alumni early allows you to enjoy the benefits of this connection during your years of study, rather than at the end of your degree, or after graduation.”
Unlike many other industry professionals, UON Alumni have been to the University of Newcastle just like you, and understand what it’s like to be a student looking for a job after their studies. Alumni will give you the extra care, support and guidance you need for entering the workforce.
“As UON graduates, Alumni have a special connection with the University and are likely to be receptive, welcoming, and keen to support its students,” Monique says.
A professional mentor is essentially a sounding board for the things you do along your career path, and the earlier you make these connections, the better. A member of Alumni can sit down with you, figure out a plan of attack and the next steps you can take alongside your studies to help you get a job at the end.
If you’re wondering how to get in touch with a member of Alumni, you can regularly find them on campus inspiring, mentoring and sharing their expertise and skills with students. These include iLEAD Plus and speed mentoring, as well as guest speaking events. So keep an eye out for these opportunities!
As the saying goes, ‘It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.’ Professional networking is one of the most crucial things you should be doing whilst completing your degree. You could be the best student with the highest marks, most amount of skills and biggest drive to get the job you want, but without knowing the right people and making contact to organise work experience or a job interview, you might not go further than your studies.
According to Monique, “Building a professional network can open many possibilities and the sooner you start to network, the sooner you can start gaining additional knowledge and skills to help you do your job better or get that job you want”.
Chances are, members of UON Alumni are either directly involved with a company in your desired field, or they know someone you can at least contact to express interest in working for, so make sure to take advantage of this!
Networking can lead to a number of job opportunities not open to the general public, which automatically increases your chances. By getting in to contact and forming relationships with Alumni you will have a higher chance of getting your foot in the door.
Let’s face it, the reason you probably chose to go to university is to increase your chances of getting a job. While this can definitely put you above other applicants, it’s important to remember the degree doesn’t guarantee you a job on its own.
Because Alumni is largely made up of graduates, their main focus tends to shift toward locking down a job or furthering their career path, as opposed to their undergraduate degree. When you’re studying with limited to no industry experience, it can be easy to forget to look for work experience, jobs and graduate positions if you’re caught by assessments and other university work.
Forming a relationship with a member of Alumni will automatically take the blinkers off and put your studies into perspective in terms of securing a job. Alumni can give you that invaluable advice of what kinds of jobs to apply for, who to contact and they can even make you aware of positions not advertised online to give you that extra leg up.
In an environment where you spend most of your time listening to university lecturers, Alumni adds a whole different perspective to your learning by giving you that experienced voice from someone who was not too long ago in your shoes.
Career expos and other events are perfect for introducing yourself to Alumni and potentially making lasting professional relationships that can benefit you in a really unique way. You can engage with Alumni across the world on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn, or email alumni@newcastle.edu.au.
Also make sure to look out for opportunities offered by your school/faculty including guest lecture series, New Professor Talks and mentoring programs
Visit the Alumni page on the University website for more information:
Let’s be honest, becoming a student and morphing into a steaming, name-taking booze monster is something of a stereotype. There’s not necessarily anything abnormal here, as UON’s Drug, Alcohol and Other Addictions counsellor, Michelle Lampis explains, “Most people drink a little heavier when they’re younger and reduce their intake as they get older. However, some people don’t”.
While this pissed student archetype has given us countless American college movies, there is a darker, decidedly unglamorous seam running through the core of the hard-partying student image.
The standard perception of what an alcoholic is probably involves sights and smells that aren’t readily associated with a young student dipping their toes in their first freedoms as an adult. However, the reality is, that your life could easily become dictated by alcohol consumption.
How do you know when you’ve dipped those toes in too deep?
Michelle says that for some, “Alcohol becomes something that they are doing, that they are not able to control, even though they’d like to – when drinking becomes a thing that is almost bigger than the person. Another sign is when your drinking begins to affect your responsibilities.”
Your body rapidly develops a tolerance to alcohol as well. “You may find that you need to drink more for the alcohol to have an effect, then needing that alcohol more and more and feeling like you can’t do without it.”
It’s one thing to have a drink to take the edge of a horror day, but are you pouring that drink, not because you had a bad day, but because you just had ‘a’ day?
We’re also hit with mixed messages about the potential health benefits and impacts of alcohol consumption, to the point where I can almost convince myself that my red wine, coffee and chocolate consumption is going to help me live forever. So, how much is too much?
“No more than two standard drinks in one sitting is considered to do the least amount of harm”, explains Michelle. Which is a bit discomforting. I notice the term ‘least harm’ isn’t quite the ‘beneficial’ I was hoping for. “Then for injury, it’s more than four. That’s the general guidelines.”
But that’s not where the adverse impacts of alcohol abuse on student life end.
Drinking gives you a nasty psychological hangover that lasts longer then the physical hangover – one that can’t be fixed with a handful of paracetamol and a bag of hot chips. “When you are drinking, you’re constantly flooding your brain with extra dopamine, so your brain stops producing it,” explains Michelle. Dopamine is like a thoughtful little present your brain gives itself for doing good things. That’s why it feels so good to hand that assignment in or finish that super hard level of Candy Crush. Without it, you’re more susceptible to depression, fatigue, mood swings, and your ability to stay motivated, handle stress and concentrate goes out the window. It takes a while for the brain to reset and start producing dopamine again, so, if you’re drinking regularly to feel better, welcome to a Vicious Cycle. Lack of motivation caused by consistent heavy drinking can double down on the already ever-present threat of procrastination, making it almost impossible for you to perform.
Alcohol also affects your sleep, and lack of sleep is a sure fire way route to becoming an unhinged hot mess. Michelle points out that “while we may feel that a few drinks can help us relax – and a few more might make it easier to crash – the depth and quality of your sleep suffer.” You may feel like those cheeky night-time drinks are helping you make friends with your pillow, but you’re not actually getting any recuperative sleep while you’re drooling on it.
It’s not all doom and gloom, however. Michelle follows a ‘harm minimisation’ approach to potentially addictive behaviours and substances and has some hints and tips to help mitigate unhealthy alcohol related behaviour.
“Enjoy yourself. Have fun. But put things in place and make decisions that enable you to stay safe.”
“Alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks, with water being the best.”
Set limits on how much you want to drink in a particular session and stick to them, which, as Michelle suggests, “will be different for different people depending on their knowledge of how alcohol impacts their system.”
Importantly, you should have a ‘buddy’. Someone you can “tell your limits to and who will hold you to that.”
On that note, if you’re pre-loading for a night out, be aware of what a standard drink is and how many you’ve decanted into that drink bottle you’re smuggling onto the bus.
Eating well before you bust open that cheap cask of wine can do wonders as well, says Michelle, “a filling and nutritious meal before drinking has a huge impact on the way your body will process and recover from the alcohol.”
Another thing to consider is that not everyone really fancies going large. “Some people just don’t fit into the drinking culture, yet feel social pressure to join in. That really has an impact on your sense of self. It’s important to be mindful of the choices other people make.” If someone at your party isn’t drinking, or has set themselves a limit, don’t be a jerk and pressure them or humiliate them. “Many people have deep-seated reasons why they may not be drinking, including trauma,” says Michelle. Making the choice to not drink can be hard, so be aware that what you see as good-natured encouragement can actually be really damaging to some people.
I asked Michelle if there’s a sure-fire sign that a student has a problematic relationship with alcohol.
“Deep down, most people already know they might have a problem. Just thinking that is a major clue. People will recognise ‘oh, I’m doing that again’. When that happens, ask yourself ‘am I ok with that?’”
If you feel that your relationship with alcohol is becoming problematic, you can contact the Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) hotline on 1800 422 599 or, seeing as Michelle is UON’s Drug, Alcohol and Other Addictions counsellor, why don’t you come and see her?
As I mentioned, she operates under a harm minimisation approach, so she isn’t going to give you a lecture, or demand a meal of cold turkey.
“Blanket campaigns never work. I’m driven by the individual that’s in front of me and what they want. It’s their problem and their goals. It’s not a case of ‘I’m going to see this person and I’m going to tell them to stop’, it’s all about ‘what’s going on for you and how do we get to your best-case scenario’.”
“I can also refer out to other support services if a student feels more comfortable doing it that way, or if their addictions have reached a more chronic degree. It’s about tailoring help to the individual.”
There’s no need to become a halo brandishing teetotaller when it comes to alcohol, but there’s also no need to suffer in silence if alcohol has become less of a social lubricant and more of a nightmare in your life.
For more information on the University of Newcastle’s counselling services, head on over to https://www.newcastle.edu.au/current-students/support/health-counselling-and-wellbeing/your-mental-health/counselling.
Studying on an exchange is an excellent, once-in-a-lifetime experience. There’s no question about the amount of preparation which goes into your semester abroad: the application, budgeting, accommodation, sorting enrolment – the list goes on. By getting started on your application now, you can take a lot of stress out of the lead-up to it. And best of all, you don’t have to plan it on your own. The UON Global Team is here to make it as effortless as possible.
To get the inside scoop on studying overseas, Navigator spoke with Sonja Rakanovic who completed a semester at the University of Leeds and the UON Global Team. Here’s everything you need to know to get you well on your way!
With more than one hundred partner universities available, there is no shortage on where you can undertake your semester abroad. However, you need to make sure they actually offer courses relevant to your degree. In order to undertake an overseas exchange, you will need to gain credit for a minimum of 30 units of credit per semester and for short courses a minimum of 10 units of credit. This will require you to collect the info about your proposed overseas course, complete the study plan/credit agreement form and provide your application for approval.
An easy way to get around this is by leaving your elective subjects for your semester abroad. While this does involve altering the timeline of your program plan, it will make things a lot simpler long-term. You don’t want to decide too late that you have no electives left and can’t be awarded course credit for your core courses.
Program plans for each degree can be found in the program handbook online, and are really helpful when planning ahead. The earlier you can identify courses which need to be swapped, the easier it is to accommodate this during your degree.
“Luckily my program had quite a few electives which meant that I could easily transfer credit,” Sonja explained. “A lot of my friends who didn’t have electives found it easy to transfer credit for their compulsory courses, this is why it’s important to pick a uni which has a similar program to yours.”
A tip from the UON Global team is that if your degree program is quite strict you can also consider a short academic course. These courses go for around four weeks and allow you to complete 10 units of study at locations such as Denmark, France, Hong Kong, Norway, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
Getting on top of things early will give you plenty of time and a head start at drafting your budget! Some fees associated with programs can include airfares, accommodation deposits, meals, phone and internet charges, visa and passport fees, spending money and textbook/supplies.
Did you know financial aid is available? You may be eligible for OS-Help which is a loan that is added onto you HECS/HELP debt (up to $7988). Other scholarships include Australian Government Exchange Scholarships and Global Traveller Grants.
If you’re looking to study overseas as cheap as possible, there’s a lovely expression along the lines of “if you’ve got no cents to your name, go to Asia”. Generally you will find accommodation and living expenses will be a lot less costly, as well as numerous scholarships targeted at that region, such as The New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program.
Sonja was grated the OS-HELP loan which was a massive help as is it paid for her whole accommodation. Fortunately she didn’t have to pay her tuition fees upfront which meant her casual wage could be saved for the cost of living and she made sure she budgeted for food, activities and travel.
So you’ve decided you want to study overseas – well the best thing you can do is drop in and visit the UON Global Team! This team is dedicated to working with students hoping to go on international experiences including exchange, short courses and internships. If you’ve got a question, they will absolutely be able to answer it.
To make things as simple as possible, the Global team run drop-in sessions for students three times a week:
Prior to her exchange, Sonia contacted the UON Global Team to discuss her options (something she highly recommends). Your Program Advisor and Course Convenor can also be really helpful in working out what credit is transferable for the overseas courses you wish to take.
Still not sure about studying overseas? According to Sonja, it was really was the best experience from her time at university.
“It’s such an enriching experience in so many ways and immersing yourself in another culture and country will really open up your worldview. And as clichéd as it sounds, you do come back a different person. You’ll meet so many amazing people (I met two of my best friends in Leeds) and you’ll also likely get the chance to travel around whilst you’re studying abroad. I strongly recommend study abroad to any student.”
On top of that, the experience of organising and completing your semester abroad will provide you with a level of personal development and experiences no other component of your degree can offer, and give you transferable skills desired by employers everywhere.
The locations available and steps to follow if you’re are wanting to go on an overseas experience as part of their degree can be found on our website: www.newcastle.edu.au/studyoverseas
If you would like some further guidance or would like to register your interest for a semester exchange the Mobility team are contactable on study-overseas@newcastle.edu.au
Sustainable living is important for one very simple reason: to maintain our quality of life as human beings. You may think as an individual your impact may not count or your contribution won’t save the planet, so what’s the point? Wrong! Every little bit counts and the root of change lies in the understanding and striving towards sustainability. Here’s three simple ways that you can be better to our planet in your everyday life.
How about growing your very own veggie patch? Or if you’re after something a bit more basic, why not a herb garden?
Not only do you get the joy out of growing your own produce, you can also relish the fact you won’t have to spend $4 on a tiny bit of parsley at the supermarket (winning).
If you’re interested but unsure of how to go about harvesting your own food, check out the University of Newcastle’s very own Community Garden. Located at Callaghan campus behind Oval 4 (near the Wollotuka Institute), you get the chance to harvest produce such as strawberries, tomatoes, capsicums, zucchinis and herbs.
UON hosts a total of six Community Garden events every few weeks throughout the semester.
I spoke with Student Engagement Team Leader, Fiona Mundie, to find out more about what is involved with these Community Garden events. She believes that many students enjoy gardening and are interested in sustainability issues – which is exactly why these events have been created.
“It is a great way for students to meet new, likeminded people within a quiet and relaxing atmosphere,” Fiona said.
At these events students will help with weeding, planting/harvesting as well as digging and clearing. This will not only give you the chance to learn about how to harvest your own produce, but also benefit your physical and mental health. Fiona says that the community garden, “is great for stress relief as it can be used as a break from your study, a tranquil space to sit and read, eat your lunch or to even take a nap”.
Generally, at each event students are able to take the fresh produce home with them, and at the mid-winter event they make fresh soup from the produce in the garden!
Why not check out an upcoming Community Garden event by joining their Facebook page for all information about these events. If you’re at the City Precinct during Green Week you can also Pot-a-Herb to take home with you for free.
UON Community Garden
As a fellow student I am aware that coffee is the giver of life and because of this I also know that you buy at least one a coffee per week minimum. Now I’m not asking you to give it up on coffee (I would never), but perhaps next time you go to buy that cup of liquid gold – bring your own mug.
Bringing your own cup for a coffee is a simple way to reduce the amount of plastics out there. Think Coffee and Juice Co. at Callaghan campus sells KeepCups which are reusable coffee cups which replicate disposable cup sizes. These cups come in a variety of colours and are made from glass or durable plastic. Why should you use these cups you ask? Well let’s say you have two coffees a day. That’s 14 cups a week, which is 728 disposable cups within a year – just goes to show that your little contribution of bringing your own mug will definitely help the earth.
Most coffee shops at UON use bio cups, but if you bring your own mug you can even get a discount! See the full list of cafes at Callaghan which offer a discount. The cafes at Ourimbah also offer a similar discount.
And also, who needs a straw? Go traditional by sipping directly from the cup. It’s all about reducing the amount of unnecessary plastics in your life. Like rather than using disposable cutlery every day, why not pack your own?
If you ask me, whoever invented the concept of bottled water is one of the craftiest people to walk the Earth. Charging people for something they can get out of the tap for free? Genius!
Save yourself money and the planet by re-using your water bottle. There are water refill stations scattered all across the University of Newcastle campuses, such as the one outside The Great Hall.
If room temperate water isn’t really your thing, you can also find instant cold/hot water at any of the survival stations as well.
If you are going to use disposable cups, then make sure to always recycle wherever possible.
When you recycle those used materials are made into new products, which is reducing the need to consume natural recourses. Yes that’s right, something does actually happen after you separate your paper from plastic. But wait there’s more, you also saved energy that would have been used to harvest those raw materials.
Knowing what you can and can’t recycle can sometimes be confusing. For example, if things are overly contaminated (e.g. a pizza box), they can’t always be recycled. But the thing to remember when it comes to coffee cups – the lid goes in the recycling; the cup goes in the bin. Simple.
Did you that you know that UON is trialling a three-month soft plastics recycling program? It kicks off during Green Week where there will be designated collection bins around campus. So make sure you collect your clean, dry soft plastics and bring them with you next time you’re at Callaghan campus and drop them in one of the bins.
If you’re looking for some financial incentive to recycle, the state-wide Return and Earn Container Deposit Scheme gives 10c back for each approved container. Now take a moment to think about how many cups, cans and bottles you drink from each week. At 10c a pop it only takes 10 containers to equal one mighty dollar. The closest return and earn point to Callaghan campus is only at Jesmond, that’s an 8-minute drive so why not take the detour on your way to class? There’s also one located at Mayfield. If you’re not in this area don’t fret – there are 500 collection points across NSW.
We’ve reached a point where we know how bad driving is for the environment. It’s not just some theory, it’s a fact. We continue to pollute our environment with greenhouse gas emissions, and then wonder why we have days reaching 34° in mid-April.
So why do we continue to do it?
Driving may seem like the most convenient option, but it’s definitely not the greenest. Not only will active travel be a massive boost for your physical health, the planet will thank you for it.
UON’s Newcastle City Precinct has storage for 215 bikes, as well as showers and lockers so you always rock up to class feeling fresh. There are also two bike hubs located at Callaghan campus.
If you live locally to campus, why not consider walking? Personally, I think there’s nothing more relaxing than a nice walk (and you avoid the stress of finding park).
Green week is back for another year to turn the spotlight on sustainability. You can expect a variety of great events alongside lots of environmentally friendly initiatives. For more information about what’s happening during Green Week check out the event page.
Do you have a Personal Brand™?
I don’t mean preferring Nintendo to Xbox, your penchant for Converse All-Stars, or having Google tattooed on your face.
I mean that buzzword that gets flicked around the place, often paired with ‘Thinkfluencer’ and ‘Webinar’.
Some guy called Chris Ducker says that, “Your personal brand is what people say about you when you are not in the room.”
Now, I’m pretty suspicious of the whole Personal Brand™ thing – and the fact that the aforementioned Mr Ducker labels himself a ‘virtual CEO’ who will help you become a ‘Youpreneur’ hasn’t exactly unrustled my jimmies. I really wanted to write a piece, dripping with Foucault references, about how the concept of the Personal Brand™ has replaced the idea of personality and that if you position yourself as some kind of #thoughtleader, or #maven and use #hashtags to get #engagement you may be a #moron and that reducing yourself to a commodity cheapens us all…
However… I have a job to do here, so in order to temper the jaded and cynical side of my self (is that part of my Personal Brand™?) I had a chat to Melissa Moore, who has the amazing title of ‘Senior Manager, Student Life’, to discuss what a Personal Brand™ is, how to curate one and what the hell do you do with it when you’ve got one.
“For me, a Personal Brand is all about knowing who you are, your priorities and deep values – knowing what motivates you – then spending time examining that and keeping it as ‘clean’ as it can be.”
When I think Personal Brand™ I imagine some highly contrived and sanitised persona created for the sole purpose of being attractive to employers. Melissa sets me straight. Personal Branding™ isn’t about contriving an image and performing yourself as a product and more about ,“knowing who you are and knowing how to project that confidence.”
“Of course, there is an element of marketing to it. You’re in competition with others. In that it comes down to researching a potential employer and knowing how to tweak your personal brand to make yourself more attractive to them.”
It’s not about faking it, however, “If you have an employer whose values are so far removed from your own that you have to change who you are to appeal to them, you don’t want to work with them anyway.”
A Strong Personal Brand™ can differentiate you from a whole bunch of similarly qualified people, which sounds all well and good but how do you create that?
“I think we’re all aware that employees will, as a rule, check out your social media profiles. If you’re part of the social media world, make sure there is a clarity to your presence and it is well curated.”
However, this doesn’t mean you have to sanitise your online persona.
Melissa explains that you don’t want to compromise who you are at your core, “If you are someone who has extreme left leanings, for example, why would you apply for a company that doesn’t?”
So, if your social media presence can wander into the political or controversial, Melissa advises to “Be creative. Get clever about it.”
Good news if your online presence is a little bit spicy.
Again, a Personal Brand™ isn’t about fabricating a perfect, or even alternate, version of yourself but making yourself a more attractive prospect to employers who you want to work for, who ideally already share your value sets. “Businesses will look into the people they are hiring and not only ask a) who IS this person? But also b) can we PUT UP with this person?”
“Create a LinkedIn profile. Look at the companies you want to work for and look at the words they use, their value sets, vision and mission statements. Have a look at them and if something sits all with you, use those words back while you curate your presence online. This makes them aware that you will fit with their culture.”
“When we ask businesses what convinces them to promote or employ a graduate into a particular role, of the top ten factors, the degree and quality of the degree comes in at about fifth or sixth, and the first five factors are all these ‘emotional intelligence’ and ‘cultural fit’ type elements. Employers want people who fit into the culture of their workplace. If you have a strong personal brand they can see this right away.”
People with a Strong Personal Brand™ are clear about who they are, what they want, what they can deliver and bring to the table.
“Corporate Australia is wiser than we give them credit for. Businesses look for team members who challenge them. Without people to challenge, too many ‘yes’ people, business stagnates – you need people who are going to disrupt a little but ‘disrupt with style’. This is why UON really pushes entrepreneurial skills because we recognise that employers aren’t looking for cookie cutter people, they’re looking for people who think outside the box.”
Establishing your brand not only gives future employers a window into who you are, and what you might do for their organisation, but gives you the opportunity to evaluate an organisation’s values against your own, giving you advantage in interviews and applications.
An important part of creating or discovering your Personal Brand™ is sense of self-discovery and self-awareness, “It’s an affirming process, rather than trying to fit you into a particular area”
“If it’s authentic you don’t have to do a lot of maintenance. If you find your personal brand is a bit of a chore you might need to do a bit of soul-searching.”
So, it would seem that having a Strong Personal Brand™ is something of an organic process that requires a bit of curation and tweaking, rather than a ground-up construction.
What about people who are struggling with the concept?
Melissa suggests that people who struggle with their Personal Brand™ are “people who say, ‘I don’t know who I am, I don’t know what I want to do, or where I want to be.’ People who are trying to fit themselves into a box or a shape where they don’t belong. They’re generally people who try and fit their parents’ dreams, their teachers’ dreams, or other people’s aspirations for them. They get to the point where they don’t know who they are any more and they haven’t developed an understanding of what motivates them.”
“People who march to the sound of someone else’s drum will spend most of their life working with someone else’s brand.”
Fear not! If this sounds like you, you aren’t doomed be a generic brand human.
“Come and have a chat with us at Careers and Student Development,” recommends Melissa. Every weekday between 9 and 4:30 we have little brief drop-in session. It’s more of a triage service, so if you need a longer appointment we can make that for you.”
Turns out, you already have a Personal Brand™. If it’s authentic and well curated it will be your magnet, attracting employers and opportunities that mesh with your personality and repelling situations that are against the grain of who you are.
If you feel you need help working out exactly what your Personal Brand™ is, buffing some edges, or getting it out there, go and see UON Careers and Student Development and they’ll getting you all packaged up so you can be a can of BrandNameCola™ in a world of GenericCola™.
University of Newcastle student Matt Graham has taken the world by storm, winning silver in the Men’s Moguls at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
Navigator writer, Sarah James, sat down with the World No. 3 mogul skier to find out what it takes to become an Olympic champion, as well as find time to study a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)/Bachelor of Business.
NAV: How did you get involved with mogul skiing?
MG: I got involved with Mogul skiing when I joined the Perisher Winter Sports Club Program when I was 7 years old.
NAV: Were you worried when you first started studying at the University it would jeopardise your skiing career?
MG: Being a Winter Sport Athlete I knew that I was going to miss a lot of university due to my training and competing commitments. I knew this was always going to be a hurdle when it came to my studies but I was confident that I could manage both university and sport. It is something that was ingrained into me going through high school as I missed a lot of school growing up, so I was used to being proactive and talking to my teachers and teaching myself.
NAV: You’ve achieved a staggering 12 World Cup podium finishes – how on Earth do you manage to juggle training with studying?
MG: When it comes to managing training and studying, I try to manage my time well. I believe it is much easier these days to manage sport and studies as everything can be provided online, so as long as I am connected to the internet, I can keep up to date!
I have been a part of the University of Newcastle Elite Athlete Program since I commenced my studies in 2014. I have been able to utilise the facilities provided by the University to maximise my time on campus. I have been able to workout at the strength and conditioning facilities during study breaks.
NAV: You’re currently studying a double degree in a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)/Bachelor of Business – where are you hoping this degree takes you?
MG: My goal once I finish my double degree and my skiing career will be to enter the Civil Engineering field. It is something I have been passionate about for a long time.
NAV: So what’s next for you? Will we be seeing you in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing?
MG: I am definitely committed to skiing for Australia once again at the Olympic Games in four years time in Beijing. I still have a long way to go in my double degree in Civil Engineering and Business and I still have a lot to prove in mogul skiing. In the short term, my main focus for the next twelve months will be to win the World Championships next February in Deer Valley, Utah. I am trying not to think about the 2022 Games yet as they seem so far away, I am trying to focus on the shorter term as I believe that is the best way for me to get motivated and increase my urgency to get better.
NAV: After a fantastic Olympic result, have you headed straight back into training or are you getting some downtime?
MG: After the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, I had a few weeks of skill training, but I am now back into my off-season preparations downtime in Melbourne. I want to use this time to keep pushing myself and trying to get better.
NAV: How do you spend your spare time outside of skiing?
MG: Being from the Central Coast, I love the beach and the water. So when I am home and have some spare time, I love to go out and get into some sailing, water-skiing and wakeboarding, and also going out for a surf!
Feature image photo credit: The Mogul Skiing Academy
Here we are, knee deep in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Technology is not just something we use, it is increasingly intertwined with every aspect of our lives, and it’s only going to dig itself deeper into our day-to-day functioning as time passes.
Yet, while digital technologies are ingraining themselves into our lives to the extent the old real world/online world dichotomies no longer apply, we are experiencing an equal backlash, a distinct Moral Panic about the effects these digital technologies have on our lives.
You don’t have to spend too long consuming your preferred news source before you’re confronted with tales of technologically based depression, millennial ennui, and an endless parade of Digital Diogenes’ with article titles like ‘Snapchat Literally Ate My Child’, ‘How Smoke Signals Saved My Marriage’ and ‘I Gave Up Facebook and Legit Sprouted Butterfly Wings’.
It can be a hard pill to swallow. We’re increasingly led, pushed and encouraged to adopt a more digital and less analogue existence, all the while being told it’s making us miserable and ruining our lives, loves and brains.
Do we need a digital detox, or is it just a bunch of people yelling at clouds?
“There are no shortage of moral entrepreneurs in this field who are making a lot of money selling books and conducting speaking tours all telling people that the sky is falling,” explains Dr Stephen Owen, of UNSW.
Stephen, who was awarded his doctorate through UON and has a research focus on digital cultural phenomenon, continues, “Many of these people are in fact well-credentialed scientists and psychologists, but the problem with all of these works is that they deal mostly in speculation rather than actual analysis. Very, very few academics studying the practices of digital media and social network sites take [this] work seriously.”
Stephen points to a recent example in Have Smartphones Destroyed A Generation? to illustrate his point.
“These moral entrepreneurs do however have a knack of producing work that spreads almost virally, through mainstream media and an avalanche of Facebook shares, and most especially because they tap into parents’ fears that technology is detrimental to their children. You’ll never go broke selling stuff to parents that play on their fears regarding the safety of their children.”
So, your phone isn’t going to suck the soul out of your face like a shiny, glass Dementor, yet, I still find myself zombie scrolling through Facebook while uni work piles up around me, hating myself for my inability to put the damn phone down.
I asked UON psychologist and counsellor, Helen Scobie, about the potential negative effects of digital technologies and media.
While she agrees digital technologies don’t make us depressed, they are a medium we gravitate to when we’re engaging in what she calls ‘avoidance behaviours’.
“When we’re feeling down, we all do things to make ourselves feel better, and avoidance is one way we make ourselves feel better. Some people use social media, some use drugs and alcohol, or potentially more dangerous things.”
“The architecture of social media is designed to entice us, to provide instant gratification through ‘likes’ and potentially make it harder to resist.”
But avoidance behaviours don’t get you back to feeling good and being where you need to be; they simply exacerbate the problem.
In that case, is a digital detox the answer? Do we all riot in the street, burn our phones and tablets and become a society of technological hermits?
There is an emphatic “no” from Helen.
“Digital technologies are part of our lives, with huge potential, but the positives of digital technology can also be its negatives. It’s great to be connected, but do you really need to be contactable and connected everywhere you go?”
Helen suggests setting time limits and using technology to enforce these or even make them fun.
“Taking a break without your device. Go to a cafe, or to uni, without your phone. Wean yourself off and eventually you will realise you don’t need it with you all the time.”
If that sounds unbearable, why not fight fire with fire?
Digital Detox? There’s an app for that.
You can use apps like Moment, Offtime or countless others to track how much time you spend or make some apps unavailable for a time.
Helen also mentions an app called Forest which I have been using for the past few days with tremendous success.
If it sounds weird to use digital technologies and media to help you avoid using digital technologies and media, it’s no weirder than digital naysayers and doomsday prophets using it to disseminate their message.
Helen emphasises a bit of critical self-reflection if you feel the digital world is negatively impacting your analogue life.
“Ask yourself, ‘Is this stopping you achieving what you want to achieve?’”
“Reflect on what you’re procrastinating from. Are you anxious about it, are you worried that you don’t know what to do or how to do it? Is there a way you can solve that?”
Finding a solution as to why you’re avoiding something can go a long way to fishing you out of that YouTube rabbit hole, as can setting goals and re-affirming why you’re at university and what you eventually want to achieve.
What’s important to understand is that social media and digital technologies are tools. You can abuse and misuse a tool.
Much like people who reduce their alcohol intake, or quit smoking suddenly find themselves cashed up, you might find reducing your digital media intake gives you a lot more time to use.
“We often tell ourselves we don’t have time to go to the gym, or do yoga, or go for a walk, or catch up with friends, but how much time are you spending scrolling?”
Social media is often accused of making us less social, so instead of checking up with a friend on Facebook, why not actually meet up.
“Use your phone as a phone and give someone a call” suggests Helen.
Sounds weird, but OK.
Think twice before grabbing the car keys.
Yes it might seem more convenient, but once you factor in the price of petrol, price of parking and actually finding a park – is it really the better option?
The Navigator team have put three modes of transport to the test: driving, cycling and public transport.
To find out what the best transport method for you is, head on over to newcastle.edu.au/5wayscallaghan.
If you’re a full-time student, you understand the demands of your study load is often more intense than a full-time job, yet on top of that we’re also supposed to worry about social lives, making actual money and attempting to stay healthy.
You can’t hide from me – I know the one thing we tend to neglect during semester is our health and wellness.
This is actually the worst thing we can do during weeks 7-13 of semester as exercise offers countless benefits, including increased energy, focus and better cognitive function. Yep – you can improve your exam performance before you even pick up that textbook.
I understand squeezing in a workout between three lectures, two tutorials and a workshop can be tricky, so here’s five tips to help you find time for your health and wellness.
If you want to improve your chances of following through with those exercise plans, make a schedule.
Legit – if you write it down then you hold yourself accountable for it rather than having that fight in your head about what exercise class to do today and then all of a sudden it’s 8pm and you’re already in bed and never set foot within a 10km radius of a gym. We’ve all been there.
At the start of every week look at your schedule and plan when you’ll have enough time to get to the gym. Start off with 2-3 times during the week and one time on the weekend and increase if you can. Baby steps, baby steps.
You don’t have to run a marathon to improve your fitness and activity. Just start walking! I’m sure if you have a pet they’re already begging you to. Walking is a great place to start, and by squeezing in just 30 minutes a day you can boost your health and increase your fitness levels.
An activity tracker is also a great way to help you set up and achieve goals. Between 10,000 and 16,000 steps a day is an ideal weight management goal. This can be achieved by parking further away from campus, doing active travel if you can, walk to your class on the other side of campus and taking the stairs! I know there’s plenty of these on campus – no excuses here.
Okay so just hear me out before you scroll past this one. Whilst cleaning up your room or house is guaranteed to fall below exercises on your to do list, it’s still a form of physical activity yeah? Take regular breaks when studying at home to clean up your home.
Did you know your body burns more calories when standing up vs. sitting down? Even if you’re standing still! What an easy way to burn more calories throughout the day – it’s that simple.
You can accomplish this by sweeping, vacuuming, doing the dishes and laundry. Now I know we all dread doing these things but don’t tell me you don’t feel a whole lot better once they’re actually done.
A clutter free environment also improves your focus, makes you feel good and is a great way to take breaks from your study. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself after you’ve finished that dreaded study finally and you can sit back and relax because you’ve been active and your room is clean!
Make dates with your partner or friends to be active! Meet up with them for the ANZAC memorial walk in Newcastle. This track also links to Council’s Bathers Way, a six kilometre coastal walk linking Newcastle’s beaches and stretching from Merewether Ocean Baths to Nobbys Beach.
What an amazing thing to experience. Any time of day you do this the view will be spectacular! Talk about killing two birds with one stone – a date and exercise done and dusted.
So this tip involves some self- awareness. Everybody is different, with different preferences and schedules. Nobody said you have to exercise in the morning, I admire people who do honestly, but I’ve tried – and it’s not for me.
If you’re not a morning person, committing yourself to pre-dawn workouts may lead to excessive use of the snooze button and ultimately no exercise being done. Consider when you are most likely to work out, and schedule your workouts during that time.
Take myself as an example I spent years trying to get up early and exercise only resulting in two years of on and off commitment. I realised that if I plan to exercise in the afternoon after completing classes, finishing my readings and watching Netflix in-between, I was more likely to stick to those plans in the afternoons.
So I typically find time between 4pm and 6pm to workout, even if that means going for a 30 minute walk. An added bonus about this time of day is the sky is beautiful and you can catch pink and orange glimpses of an early sunset as well as the sun dying off making it a cooler temperature – I also hate the heat.
Happy Exercising!
