Well, the time has come for everyone to return. Back to sleeping in instead of going to class, back to completing last minute assignments, back to doodling over your notes whilst your lecturer rambles on monotonously for hours on end, and then giving up and just falling asleep face down on your desk. Now, coming back to this ain’t easy. It’s hard to whip yourself back into the model-student-shape you had in the previous semester, whilst trying to earn some money to live. So I’m here to help you get back on track.
Over the summer break I worked at my part time job, which I will keep working at throughout the semester. For some of you who aren’t so lucky to already have a job, finding one may be a difficult task. I’m sure you know that you wont be the only student looking for part time work over the semester, and you will find that you are the 125th student to apply for that same checkout job at Pak n Save.
So what do you do? Student Job Search. These guys are here to help find you work while you are studying and have saved my ass on multiple occasions. It’s a simple service and so easy to use. Basically, you just register and get yourself an account, then you ‘trol the website until you find a suitable job listing to apply for. Student Job Search will give you a referral and will usually provide you the email or phone number of the employer. It’s all you from then on sending your C.V. through, organising an interview, being awesome and nailing the interview and then actually working
If you can’t find anything you like there then why not put up an ad on one of the campus notice boards advertising some tutoring or proofreading? You can basically charge what you think is fair and work the hours that you want to. Easy money. As long as you know what you’re talking about and are good at it. You may also want to sell your old textbooks that you didn’t burn at the end of last semester to make some sweet cash.
After spending your days lying on the beach with a box full of do-bros soaking it up, the last thing that you want to do is start your essay that is due first week back. Staring blankly at your computer screen for hours trying to come up with some point that is distantly related to your essay topic, and attempting to fill it up with unnecessary words is a trap we can all easily fall into during the first couple of weeks back. I recommend booking an appointment at the Student Learning Centre situated in the study centre. Not only do they help you ease back into your work, but they can help you plan out and structure your assignments. All you have to do is book in advance and the best thing is that it doesn’t cost.
Another way to get your lazy ass back to work is to isolate yourself in the library. No phone, no Internet, just you, your books and your empty folder of notes you failed to jot down during previous lectures. The more distractions that you can get rid of means more work you can churn through.
And if you’re just not that sure about the essay you wrote, or the equations you completed, just ask a friend to peer review it and in return you can peer review something of theirs. It’s always good to get a second opinion on your work.
I know that many of you may have relocated from other towns or cities and may be looking to find a place to live while you’re studying. Massey University has ample accommodation, which is conveniently located close to Uni. Millennium Village, Lucas Creek and Casa Bella are all within a ten-minute walk from campus and are a great place to start if you have just moved out of home. However, if you find this unsuitable, you can always scope out the notice boards because there are always fellow Massey students advertising for a flatmate or two. It’s a great way to get to know people if you’re from out of town.
Hopefully you’ll now be sorted for the upcoming semesters. Remember that there are heaps of people around to give you a hand if you’re a real noob.
So, it’s back to the ol’ drawing board for us all at least I had a decent summer.
