Riches to Rags
As we approach the end of the school year, and with the
final edition of Gyro for 2013, I thought it might be nice to look back on my
time as a student at Otago Polytech and living in Dunedin. As much as this is
an article for print it is also a personal reflection of a year of big change
for me.
At 25, you may call me somewhat of a ‘mature’ student. I left school and worked fulltime until the start of this year (with a semester at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology in 2008). That incomplete study has always been a big regret, I felt like a failure, but to be honest the timing was all wrong. Not to mention the systems at that institute did not support me like those at OP have. Simple facilities that Otago students may take for granted, like Student Health, regular newsletters via email, and taking attendance, were not present. Simply taking the roll, as juvenile as it may seem, has ensured I have not missed one class this semester, and my results have been better than I had hoped for. It is our responsibility to get to class and to hand in assignments but OP has been a silent parent figure for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Dunedin itself has also been a big help with my study. When I first arrived in February I was very ‘fresh’, this city was new to me, I didn’t know anyone, and I believed I was going to spend the year freezing my butt off! But, Dunedin, you have surprised me. Not only has this year not been as cold as stereotypes suggested it would be, but I have grown to really enjoy everything the city has to offer. Since the start of the year I have been to see Macklemore, Roller Derby, a Nadia Reid performance, Hootchy Kootchy Burlesque, a high school production of Chicago, the Otago Nuggets basketball, New Zealand’s Got Talent auditions, Third Eye, Super Villains RMC, & Raiza Biza. This town really does cater to its huge student population, as well as those I have participated in there is always something going on to become involved with. There are also some wonderful places to visit, including the beaches, walks and lookouts – simply getting out of the student hub that is North Dunedin every now and then is refreshing. I have made friends at school and met many new faces thanks to a casual supervisor position at the Forsyth Barr Stadium – my first job in charge of staff, which I am happy I took on, but I would not recommend casual work as it is so on-again off-again. I’d definitely choose permanent part time work if I had my time over. It pays to take part in student life, and to experience as much as you can, I can’t think of a single thing I have said no to doing, if I had the time and money to do it.
"Money doesn’t make you happy – it just makes you want more"
The student life isn’t always wonderful. There are obvious draw-backs, especially for one used to a fulltime wage such as myself. The lack of money can get you down, so it does pay to be smart with what you get. In the past I had a large disposable income, I never wasted what I earned but there was always cash for clothes or shoes, and I loved to go places. This year I have had to learn how to bargain hunt – and if possible do as much as I could with nothing. Things like listening to music on Spotify instead of buying tracks, and streaming movies instead of going to the cinema have taken over as new habits. I haven’t had my haircut since February, and I bought hair dye from the supermarket. But none of those things actually matter. Before I left my job I was so worried about having no money, but money doesn’t make you happy – it just makes you want more. When you have none, sure it can stop you doing some things, but you become resourceful and you do new things, and you see a side of yourself you never knew was there. I have spent more time writing than ever, one of my passions (I’m not sure if I’m any good but that’s not the point), I’ve also learnt to cook, and have started reading for pleasure again.Overall I would say this year really has changed me, I have definitely experienced highs and lows, and it’s not over yet. I still have 3 weeks of class and a bunch of assignments, but I know I’ll be finished soon and everything I have experienced this year will be worth it. It truly is the journey not the destination that is important.
At 25, you may call me somewhat of a ‘mature’ student. I left school and worked fulltime until the start of this year (with a semester at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology in 2008). That incomplete study has always been a big regret, I felt like a failure, but to be honest the timing was all wrong. Not to mention the systems at that institute did not support me like those at OP have. Simple facilities that Otago students may take for granted, like Student Health, regular newsletters via email, and taking attendance, were not present. Simply taking the roll, as juvenile as it may seem, has ensured I have not missed one class this semester, and my results have been better than I had hoped for. It is our responsibility to get to class and to hand in assignments but OP has been a silent parent figure for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Dunedin itself has also been a big help with my study. When I first arrived in February I was very ‘fresh’, this city was new to me, I didn’t know anyone, and I believed I was going to spend the year freezing my butt off! But, Dunedin, you have surprised me. Not only has this year not been as cold as stereotypes suggested it would be, but I have grown to really enjoy everything the city has to offer. Since the start of the year I have been to see Macklemore, Roller Derby, a Nadia Reid performance, Hootchy Kootchy Burlesque, a high school production of Chicago, the Otago Nuggets basketball, New Zealand’s Got Talent auditions, Third Eye, Super Villains RMC, & Raiza Biza. This town really does cater to its huge student population, as well as those I have participated in there is always something going on to become involved with. There are also some wonderful places to visit, including the beaches, walks and lookouts – simply getting out of the student hub that is North Dunedin every now and then is refreshing. I have made friends at school and met many new faces thanks to a casual supervisor position at the Forsyth Barr Stadium – my first job in charge of staff, which I am happy I took on, but I would not recommend casual work as it is so on-again off-again. I’d definitely choose permanent part time work if I had my time over. It pays to take part in student life, and to experience as much as you can, I can’t think of a single thing I have said no to doing, if I had the time and money to do it.
"Money doesn’t make you happy – it just makes you want more"
The student life isn’t always wonderful. There are obvious draw-backs, especially for one used to a fulltime wage such as myself. The lack of money can get you down, so it does pay to be smart with what you get. In the past I had a large disposable income, I never wasted what I earned but there was always cash for clothes or shoes, and I loved to go places. This year I have had to learn how to bargain hunt – and if possible do as much as I could with nothing. Things like listening to music on Spotify instead of buying tracks, and streaming movies instead of going to the cinema have taken over as new habits. I haven’t had my haircut since February, and I bought hair dye from the supermarket. But none of those things actually matter. Before I left my job I was so worried about having no money, but money doesn’t make you happy – it just makes you want more. When you have none, sure it can stop you doing some things, but you become resourceful and you do new things, and you see a side of yourself you never knew was there. I have spent more time writing than ever, one of my passions (I’m not sure if I’m any good but that’s not the point), I’ve also learnt to cook, and have started reading for pleasure again.Overall I would say this year really has changed me, I have definitely experienced highs and lows, and it’s not over yet. I still have 3 weeks of class and a bunch of assignments, but I know I’ll be finished soon and everything I have experienced this year will be worth it. It truly is the journey not the destination that is important.
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