I Will Tell You My Story

Hey Dan

I heard that you’re coming to Rhodes this year; you must be nervous about O-Week and moving into res. I will tell you my story. Excitement, fear and anticipation were what I felt as I drove all the way up the hill to my new home. I saw my fellow first years, all looking pale from the night before, walking ghostly past me as I entered my residence: Centenary House. The experience was frightening because I knew I was going to have to say goodbye to my family in a few hours. Residence- life was going to become like home-life and I couldn’t understand how I was going to cope. To ease this experience I should have know a few things. I’ll tell you what I wished I had known. Your res-mates will become some of your best friends who you can count on through thick and thin. You will be exposed to cultures far beyond your own. Your previous conception of partying will be changed forever, when you meet your first real Rhodent at the Rat. Residence life will lead you to use legendary terms and to learn about how to survive your first year at University. Terms like naps, pre-drinks, average, dawnies and the impervious pull of the one they call DC++, a dangerous sounding drug to you on your first day, but now a good friend who gets you through those times of boredom i.e. Swot week. In order to truly help you through your days in residence, you should know that learning as you go is the best way to experience Rhodes. If I was to map out every aspect of my life now for you, I would ruin it for you. All I can say is that it will be surprising when you will realize that you can cope easily, when you realize that living in residence is not that far from home-life. You don’t need to worry about passing either, because res life not only provides you with some of the best times of your life, but also has a good support structure if you cannot cope academically. The best way you can settle in, is by being chilled when you arrive and not focusing too much on leaving your parents. Remember every other first year is feeling exactly the same as you.

Cheers Mate…

Embracing Your 'Rubber-Arm'

My Darling Sam,

Firstly, welcome to Rhodes! You don't realize this now but this next year is going to be the craziest, most exciting roller-coaster ride of your life! You have the most fantastic Residence with friends that turn your world upside down and inside out. University is a time of your life where you'll learn who you are and who you want to be. The only learning institution you know right now is St. Mary's school for girls- you'll soon realize how protected your life has been so far and that you'll uncover the path to discovering who you are without the influence of your school friends . Rhodes may be situated in a small town a long drive from most cities but Rhodes will show you the world, it's up to you to take full advantage while you are here.

If there's one thing I can pass on that I wish I was told when I started, that is to have a rubber arm! This is your first year away from home and the novelty of independence is rife. You'll face decisions that normally would be completely out of the question at home such as, going out and drinking during the week, watching movies on your computer until the early hours of the morning, going to lectures with a throbbing hangover and pulling 'all-nighters' learning for tests you've most likely grossly under-prepared for! My advice to you is never back down. Work hard and play harder! Go out and have fun at every opportunity, make memories with your friends that you'll never forget, explore things you've never tried, play hockey, tennis and any other sport you've wanted to play. If there was one year in your life to completely break the barriers it would be now. Have a rubber arm and fully embrace everything there is to Rhodes because I know there's an inner 'wild child' in you and I know that what you're about to experience will rock your world! So never back down from an experience because how often do you hear people comment that their fondest memories at university was the quality of their work?
Have this year and embrace.

All my love,
Samantha

Life as a Rat

My dear friend,

Life as you know it is about to change, you have no idea what fantastic life altering stomach lurching experiences are in store for you; so my advice is to come prepared. What will shock you the most about Rhodes is the abundance of alcohol, and the incest that cannot be avoided by the end of O-Week.

Balancing friends, your boyfriend and work is going to be one of the most difficult things you will have to do, don’t worry, practice makes perfect. You are going to meet the most beautiful people, don’t be afraid to open yourself up to them. Let yourself go, be free, be a first year! Go out with your friends, get rip roaring drunk, but make sure you come home to your own room. Have a bucket next to your bed, a bottle of water and intense painkillers for the morning. This is when you will experience something known as “losers”, when you have these occasional nights out don’t worry chances are no one will remember. Make sure you find time for your friends; they are going to be the people you are going to spend the next three years with (hopefully).
The most important advice I can give you is DO NOT get drunk when you are emotional, rather watch dirty dancing and cry your eyes out!

Things to Remember:
1. Cane Trian-R25.00 at the Union
2. Digs formals: dressing up like a stereotypical slut and having to lose some dignity
3. Look after yourself; you are young but not invincible.
4. Avoid having naps (when you sleep in a boy’s room) in o-week, first impression last.

You are starting a new chapter in your life; now is the time to go wild!

Sincerely

Kate x x x