Tag: Life and Style

• Want To Write For Edition 2? Check Out These Prompts!

  February 19, 2020 4:00 am Comments Off on Want To Write For Edition 2? Check Out These Prompts!

  Woroni is looking for YOU to write for our second edition of the magazine! You can write about pretty much anything, but here are some prompts to get your creative juices flowing (hint: the theme of this edition will be SEX!). First drafts are now due next Tuesday (25/2).
  International:

  What is considered ‘appropriate’ when it comes to sex? How does it differ between cultures?
  Are standards of sexual attractiveness different in different cultures? Do you think we can all be sexy? 
  Talk about STIs – why is there a stigma surrounding it when it happens to so many people?

  Reviews:

  Parasite
  Tame Impala’s new album
  Literally anything else!

  Arts:

  How can sex and bodies be used as protest? Think the #freethenipple, sex strikes etc. Do they work?
  How do you feel when you see your body naked? Are you liberated, or embarrassed, and why is this?
  How has the tv show Sex Education brought sexual wisdom to a mainstream audience?
  Talk about a sexual experience that has had a lasting impact on you, positive or negative. What was it about this experience that made it so memorable?

  Multilingual (for foreign language speakers):

  Talk about sex and social media! Think about sexting, online dating etc. and the impacts they’ve had on you.
  Talk about the presence of sex in the films you’ve watched and the music you’ve listened to! Who are the people who engage in this, and does it matter?
  How has your mental health affected your sex life? (can be anonymous)

  Creative:

  Poetry
  Fiction
  Photography
  Painting and drawing
  Scripts
  Satire

  Science

  Talk about fat-shaming! How can we have productive discussions about health without implying blame?
  Apparently, giraffes express sexual attraction through drinking each other’s pee! What are some examples of animal sexual practices that put humans to shame?
  Are ageing and death as inevitable as we thought? Are they even preventable?
  Turns out, some people don’t have an inner monologue! Do you have one? How does having a rich inner life or the lack thereof impact on your life?
  Have you ever had imposter syndrome in a sexual relationship? Why was this? 
  According to several studies, our generation is having a lot less sex than previous generations. Why do you think this is? Why are these studies so important?
  How do you really feel about your body? Tell us openly and honestly (and anonymously, if you like).

  Business and Economics

  Porn is a multimillion dollar industry! Why is porn so popular, and why, despite its popularity, is it still stigmatised?
  Talk about sex work! Is sex work inherently oppressive? Should we legalise it?
  Do you own any sex toys? Talk about them! Why are they important to you, and why don’t people really talk about them?
  Give an overview of online dating. Talk about some of the various websites, how popular they are and what purposes they serve.

   

  Woroni Editor

• Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect

  March 31, 2019 12:45 am Comments Off on Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect

  What is perfection? The Oxford Dictionary says that being perfect is to be free from any flaw or defect in condition or quality; that it’s a state of being faultless. For me, the idea of perfection has aspirational value but is a little counter-productive.
  Perfection is something which we struggle to put our finger on, but which is strangely familiar to us. It permeates through teachings of faith, themes of literature and the brushstrokes of art. Pop-culture though has really brought perfection to the forefront of our minds. Advertising selling us the ‘perfect’ lifestyle and simultaneously reinforcing our own sense of imperfection. But perfection is so often defined in the negative by expressing simply what it is not. Faith and religion, for example, articulate what is the divine by acknowledging and condemning our own imperfection.
  When we were young and starting to learn a new musical instrument, because our parents thought that it would make us smarter, or we had just started a new team sport, we were constantly subjected to the phrase ‘practice makes perfect.’ But, since perfection is an innately unattainable standard, what are we actually being taught to aim for?
  Towards the end of last year, I too was told to practice. A very seasoned editor said to me: ‘you need to just become comfortable with putting out articles that you’ve done your best on and are 80 percent happy with… and get over your perfectionism.’
  My desire for my writing to always be perfect, to project my ideal self constantly, had been preventing me from actually writing. I’d have an idea but then would abandon it because of my uncertainty over whether I could make it mind-blowingly awesome. Uncertainty about whether I could make it perfect.
  I was introduced to the idea that you should, as a general rule, become 80 percent happy with your work. The remaining 20 percent is significantly more challenging and is largely affected by factors outside of your control. These could be your physical health or your state of mind, or you might not ever get to 100 simply because of subjective standards.
  When I wrote my last column piece, some people gave me constructive feedback, some agreed with the sentiment and others dismissed my thoughts as part of my personality style. None of this was unexpected, nor was it unwelcome. But I achieved my goal to push through my perfectionism, and as a bonus, I was able to inspire a couple of readers’ existential crises.
  The thing is though, practice does actually make you better. Practice makes you engage in a process of trying things out and succeeding a little bit and also failing a little bit. In so doing you are actively learning what doesn’t work, what is useful and what is unnecessary, enabling you to allocate your time and energy appropriately.
  If you are going to perform a music recital you have to work on the parts of the music you find most challenging because otherwise, the overall piece will sound terrible. You won’t know which parts of the music they are until you’ve completed at least one trial run or practice.
  It is also important to bear in mind the need to be constantly pushing yourself to do better. It is not enough to reach the point in a task where you think you have reached your 80 percent and then automatically finish it with a thought of “it’s good enough”. It is not good enough – it is a cop-out. It is a cop-out because you are not actually improving, or even really completing the task, you are simply compromising within your comfort zone.
  Perfection may be unattainable, but your best is a moving goal post. By not pushing the boundaries or the goals, you are settling for second-best. You can move it forward by one centimetre, one metre or one kilometre – it does not matter; what matters is that you have improved and that you have achieved your best. That is a truly admirable accomplishment.
  So, there you have it! Me writing a column this year is really just a slightly polished form of practice and all of you readers are here for the ride.

  Ben Lawrence discusses his unhealthy perfectionism. Especially unhealthy when you consider that perfection is innately unattainable.

  Ben Lawrence

• SPILL THE TEA

  February 16, 2019 1:29 am Comments Off on SPILL THE TEA

  Think back to the last time someone asked your opinion on something. Did you tell them the truth? Or a half-truth? Maybe it was to protect their feelings, or perhaps it was self-preservation.
  Truth is complicated. There’s a time and a place because ignorance can be bliss and the truth hurts, but it hurts more when things are kept from you… I’m sure there are many more applicable clichés, but really, I think that the key ingredient is trust. It’s probably morally right to be truthful all the time. But the truth has consequences, and knowing whether it’s better to get it all out there and the way to do it is a bit of minefield. When one of my friends offers up a brutally honest opinion or perspective with me, I usually find it refreshing because it grounds me and reminds me not to be so self-indulgent. I’m not saying it doesn’t sting a little, but I think the occasional ego check is valuable.
  Trust is important. For a functional relationship with friends there should be a level of fundamental trust that you have each other’s best interests at heart. Actively thinking about this is often what separates the close friends and those ‘situational’ friends who fall out of your world when the context changes.The other thing total honesty says to me is that the person actually gives a damn, that they appreciate my perspective, or that they value me. They are in no way obliged to give advice or to spill the tea to me, but they trust me and they trust that I care about them enough to be receptive to them. So yes, you should tell your friend that they have something in their teeth, because it shows that you trust each other.
  It was because of trust that I could say to my friend that their clothes looked like pyjamas. By being honest with them, not only were they made aware of their crime against fashion, but the friendship was strengthened by the knowledge that they could rely on me for frank and honest advice. When there is good rapport and trust in someone, there is a basic understanding that you support each other and say things from a place of love and respect.
  Recently, I was interviewing people for roles at Woroni, and candidates would generally describe one of two different methods for giving criticism. The first involved a criticism sandwich – where the critique would be preceded and followed by positive comments, and they would have to prioritise particularly important feedback so as to maintain the happy ratio. The others would pick up every detail and put it all out there. All I will say is that I think that it shows in the output. How can you address the problems, the issues, the irritants if you don’t know what they are?
  Why is it that people feed and eat the criticism sandwich? I propose that it has to do with the level of trust in each other, and the sandwich cart comes out when either of you are not confident that whatever you’re saying will go down well. The criticism sandwich sugar-coats the taste of the filler, which is the important stuff. It’s actually somewhat demeaning of the good things which are lumped together, which appear as though they are only being highlighted for the sake of offsetting the negatives. Nobody likes it when there’s a compliment followed by a ‘but’. It takes time and actual effort to get to the stage where you can serve a pointblank criticism without a second thought. But it’s worth it, because then you know that you’re in each other’s corner (and you spill all the tea then).
  So next time you don’t feel like you’re getting the full opinion on your outfit from your ‘BFF’, follow it up! Don’t eat the criticism sandwich, drink to honesty and spill the tea.

  Ben Lawrence discusses how brutal honesty strengthens and breaks friendships.

  Ben Lawrence

• Weird Sh*t People Say on Dates

  February 14, 2019 10:30 am Comments Off on Weird Sh*t People Say on Dates

  Woroni TV wants to hear the best zingers you’ve been subjected to when on the dating scene for an upcoming video ‘Weird Sh*t People Say on Dates’! If you’ve heard anything great, hella cute, random or one-liners which you think would make students gag enter it below ??????????????????????

  Woroni Editor

• Adulting 101

  October 21, 2018 3:05 am Comments Off on Adulting 101

  For many of us, coming to uni is our first time living out of home and/or making big decisions about our lives with minimal structure and guidance. Whether it’s filing out our first tax returns, finding time to complete assignments, or keeping in touch with our loved ones, staying across everything we have to do is a scary part of “adulting”. As we become independent and form our own futures, the new things we have to learn and confront can be immensely intimidating. But life is full of potential and opportunity, and a way to balance what we want out of each aspect of our lives really makes all the difference.
  Schedule, schedule, schedule.
  Getting stuff done give us this incredible sense of achievement – a testament to our potential as responsible humans. Whether you prefer handwritten notes in a diary, or phone apps are your go-to, make note of every plan the moment you make them. This can help avoid double-booking, which can often cause confusion, disappointment, and tension in relationships.
  In my schedule I have down social plans, meetings, appointments, and deadlines. This gives me an idea of how stressed I may be at a given time, and I can work my other plans around that. If I know I’ve got three assignments due on one day and I’m going to be too stressed to make food for myself, I might reach out to a friend and ask if I could come over for dinner one of those days.
  Prioritise and have a to-do list handy.
  Whether it’s laundry, booking a holiday, catching up on lectures, or sending out a single (but very important) e-mail, maintaining an ongoing to-do list can help relieve stress. When we go from tutorials to work and then home, our mindsets change with every activity – what this means is: work will be fresh in your mind, so you’ll be more inclined to follow up with work things, and forget about the tutorial stuff earlier in the day.
  Jotting down a short dot point (“degree plan”, “bank”, “groceries”, “Josh”) is usually enough to spark your memory about that particular item; what’s important is to put it down the moment it comes to mind so that you don’t forget it altogether. It’s also crucial to prioritise the items on your to-do list: some things can wait, while others are time-sensitive. So when you find a pocket of free time, take a look at your list and think about what you could get done with the time, energy and resources you have. This is where scheduling and to-do lists come hand-in-hand, as you’ll be able to gauge how you might be travelling after a particularly exhausting day.
  Communication and relationships* are so, so important.
  From friends, to family, to professional working relationships, the way we relate to people around us can really make or break our experiences in the world. Keeping our loved ones close is one of those things that comes back to us in all kinds of wonderful ways when we need them. However, our time doesn’t need to be spent worrying about where we’re at with people in our lives. Communicate openly and genuinely with others: tell them you love them and when what they’re doing doesn’t sit well with you. Create a culture of honesty that comes from a wish to make things work, and talk about things before they become problems.
  If you’re not feeling up to a massive hike you may have planned with someone, tell them, “It’s been a crazy week, and I don’t think I will have the energy to conquer the hike. But I would still love to see you in some capacity. Perhaps we could do something else instead, like go to the markets or bake.” This makes it clear that it’s not themthat you are bailing on, but the specific activity – and it makes them comfortable to do the same in future if they need to!
  Pro tip: Combine your to-do list and maintaining relationships. Some of the most memorable hangouts with dear friends have been grocery shopping and hunting down Canberra’s cheapest petrol. When people want to spend time with you, they’ll understand not being able to take a chunk of time out – and chances are they’re on the same boat too – so it’s perfectly okay to suggest that someone come along to return your library books, or ask if you could drive them to the train station.
  Keep asking questions and learning.
  Nobody has it all figured out. If there’s something in particular that you’re struggling with, reach out to those around you who may be able to point you in the right direction. Whether that’s going to the gym for the first time, or putting together a project proposal and budget, seeking out the guidance of people around us is an act of great humility. Similarly, if you’ve got something covered and someone else is just coming to it, be wary of being dismissive, as they may bring new perspective and insight.
  It is also important to keep pushing our comfort zones outward, and to seek out new experiences. This is the way we grow and learn. Trying an activity seemingly unrelated to everything else in our lives may end up opening up opportunities we’d never considered before, or we may meet people who teach us things about ourselves and the world that fascinate us.
  Be consistent.
  The one thing to remember is to stick to things. Self-care is, at times, about sucking it up and getting stuff done – even if it may be the last thing we want to do. It is easy to find distractions and excuses – and sometimes we may really need that break – but it’s when I’ve pushed myself through a particularly rough time that I’ve felt the proudest of my achievements. Good days and bad days are a reality of our lives, but adulting involves being responsible to ourselves and others, and being able to continue with what we’ve got to do even at our worst. It doesn’t mean ignoring our well-being, but it means giving ourselves a certain amount of tough love and credit for how resilient we really can be!
  *I speak of relationships, in this case, as those platonic and otherwise. I believe it’s really important to think about our friendships with the same weight and through a similar lens as our romantic ones, and give them the importance they deserve.

  Sumithri Venketasubramanian

• Exploring Canberra

  September 18, 2018 12:17 am Comments Off on Exploring Canberra

  The ACT is filled with many hidden gems to explore. Places that seem untouched and tranquil are only a stone’s throw away from campus. So with the end of winter near and spring around the corner, head to some of these places for a mystical time away from campus. Grab some sturdy shoes and your phone and get exploring!
  Recommended by an avid outdoors-explorer, Jozef Meyer.
  See the end of the article for some useful pages full of free and detailed maps!
  Let’s start with the basics:

  Black Mountain – the classic

  A standard location for many – it’s close, it’s quiet, it’s easy to walk to but can also be challenging depending on where you go. You can also choose to drive to the top. The views of the city are beautiful, and if you go there at night, the city sparkles. It’s free and right behind campus.  

  Mount Ainslie – perfect views of the Nation’s Capital

  Mount Ainslie Lookout is another popular destination. It’s located in the city centre and a 13-minute drive from Campus. Mount Ainslie will give you stunning views of Anzac Parade and the Parliamentary Triangle. If you want to hike it, you will need approx. 1.5 hours (return) and again, it’s free.  

  Mount Majura Circuit – the quieter one of the bunch

  Although its views of the city are not as noteworthy as its neighbour Mount Ainslie’s, Mount Majura offers you a more remote location where you can have time to be alone and away from the hustle and bustle of campus. Think open grassy areas and more rugged trails – but still a relatively easy walk. There is a carpark at Hackette Gate, right at the base of Mount Majura, which is an 11-minute drive from the campus. Free entry.  

  Mount Stromlo – Schmidty’s favourite

  Many people will be familiar with Mount Stromlo – it houses the Mount Stromlo Observatory, which is the headquarters of the ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics. The mountain itself isn’t particularly special to hike, but it offers one of the greatest mountain biking facilities in Australia and the stargazing is beautiful. The drive to the top will take you approximately 22 minutes, which is worth it considering the beautiful night sky.  
  Now onto some funky places:

  Yankee Hat Mountain Walk – the top pick from the list

  This place will take you about an hour’s drive to get there, but it is a standout. The location is full of history and is home to many ancient Indigenous rock paintings. If visiting these beautiful artworks, keep in mind that the artwork is vulnerable – do not touch the art or the rock surface, and be respectful of the heritage and culture that these artworks represent. The total distance of the walk is 6km and is suitable for all levels of fitness. Note that there is no phone signal in this area. Free entry.

  Mount Painter – the dramatic ending

  This is one of those places that is all about the destination, and not the journey. The views at the end are unmatchable, and it is relatively close to campus (right behind Black Mountain). It will take you an 11-minute drive to get there, and approximately an hour return to walk the trail, unless of course you get caught up in the beauty of it all. Free entry.

  Gibraltar Falls – for those who really want to explore

  Located in Namadgi National Park, Gibraltar Falls is a 45-minute drive from campus and offers stunning waterfall views. The falls have a 50 meter drop, and offer unmatchable views of the valley. Think Yosemite vibes, but on a smaller scale. The trails aren’t well marked, so definitely bring a map (see links below). Free entry.  
  Always remember to take an updated map whenever you’re exploring. We recommend heading to the following sites for some great maps!
  SIX Maps: https://maps.six.nsw.gov.au
  SIX Maps Etopo: https://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/etopo.html (for more intense walks)

  Jozef Meyer

• The Aesthetic and the Political: Unearthing our Common Pulse

  July 12, 2018 5:03 pm Comments Off on The Aesthetic and the Political: Unearthing our Common Pulse

  Искусство. Letras. 艺术. L’art.アート. कला. Art.
  Although different signifiers, with a slightly different etymology, these words are irrevocably united by what they signify: a human creation fundamentally concerned with humanity, reality and the state of our world.
  This snapshot of languages displays the universality of art: the power it possesses to break down barriers that divide us by race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion and class. Art, be it in any form, possesses an emotional power that probes into the human condition and questions the status quo. By deconstructing social barriers, and presenting all humans as innately equal, such probing strips back our so-called “reasoning” that often leads us down the rabbit-hole of rationalising inequality and injustice. It then crosses into the political sphere, primarily by way of social commentary and discussions on internalised power structures.
  Art stems from the imagination and can therefore evoke empathy and force the audience to consider the lives of others. Indeed, Hannah Arendt recognises the power of the imagination in the political sphere, believing that it has the particular ability of distilling our idiosyncrasies and highlighting the common pulse that beats through all of us.
  By engaging us on an emotional and intellectual level, art has the potential to entice us and draw us into a deeper discussion of social inequality. For some people, it merely reinforces what is already known, reminding of the need for continual action for change. For others, it can induce exposure to new worlds, forcing a consideration of the situation of others and expediating the process of empathy that facilitates change.
  Studying Literature, I am continually reminded of the empowering intersection of the aesthetic and the political. Art is fundamentally concerned with aesthetic experimentation, which is a far greater task than just creating something aesthetically pleasing. The modernist movement, for example, sought to revive literature (particularly the poetic and novel form), to, as Era Pound famously declares, ‘make it new’. Virginia Woolf’s quintessentially modernist novel To the Lighthouse, for example, plays with free indirect discourse and ‘multipersonal representation of consciousness’, radically altering the novel structure. It also provides a social commentary that deftly deconstructs the gender expectations of the time, illustrating that even with a focus on reviving the beauty of art, political statements cannot be avoided.
  No artist and artwork exists in a vacuum, even if the artist wishes to create their artwork for purely aesthetic reasons. Further, what is characterised as beautiful is not only context-dependent, but is itself a political statement. This is especially clear in our present-day, image-saturated and beauty-obsessed society. Context, whether explicit or implicit, is innately encapsulated in the creation. Even the artist’s wish to defy a political interpretation of their work is, in itself, a political statement.
  Artworks immediately achieve what political groups and politicians labour to do: they speak to us first through our emotions, and then on an intellectual level. In so doing, art highlights the thread that weaves through all of us, the common pulse of our humanity. To steal Miranda’s words from The Tempest, artworks, particularly literature and film, can shine light on ‘How beauteous mankind is!’ and open our eyes to this ‘brave new world’.
  Of course, this is not to suggest that art doesn’t explore the darker side of humanity. Great artworks discuss the flaws of humanity, expose them and play with possible solutions. Art can act as a caution; a foreshadowing of the depravity that threatens humanity. Literature, and particularly speculative fiction and science fiction, is notable for this – Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, George Orwell’s 1984 and Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale are just a few famous examples. By extrapolating real events in a creative manner, we become mere puppets in the hands of these authors. A twist in our favourite character’s fate tugs our heart strings, and makes us realise that what is happening within this text is not abstract from our world. The Handmaid’s Tale, made more famous by the TV adaptation, does just this. Drawing upon the Puritan movement within the United States, the 1979 Iranian Revolution and Christianity as a whole, Atwood constructs a neatly crafted, albeit horrifying, situation. Although it initially appears so extreme that we place it in the abstract realm of fantasy, on further reading it becomes all too evident that such restrictions on women’s movement have happened in the past, and, more alarmingly, are continuing to happen today.
  Yet it is not just the ability to discuss current affairs that gives art its unique powers. It is the potential to create a controlled scenario in which a certain element of the human condition can be explored. For example, within The Handmaid’s Tale, humanity’s hubris and our desire to ensure the continuation of the human species is played with, ultimately resulting in an analysis of power dynamics that run along gender and class lines. Especially within literature, relatable human characters evoke empathy, taking us on a journey into the human condition. This emotional engagement further reinforces our common pulse and can act as a galvanising force to initiate change. Beyond this political power that art, sometimes unconsciously, wields, art is intrinsic to our nature. As Doris Lessing suggests ‘the storyteller is deep inside every one of us’, natured by our imaginations that ‘shape us, keep us, create us’. Given that art is inherently human, it is a powerful tool for bridging the gap between abstract political statements that allude to the need for change and actual change. By engaging us on an emotional level and forcing as to realise the thread that binds all of us, art has a galvanising power that can prompt social change.
  Art is the culmination of our attempts to speak of our times of trial; our attempts to connect with others in this world. I fundamentally believe that art, as the intersection of beauty and social commentary, has an immensely powerful role to play in deconstructing social divisions.

  Sarah Graham-Higgs

• What’s the deal with Canberra nightlife?

  May 20, 2018 10:23 pm Comments Off on What’s the deal with Canberra nightlife?

  If someone told me after my first week in Canberra that the local nightlife was not limited to trashy vibes and mainstream clubs, I would not have believed it. Ten months later, and two whole semesters of exploring the corners of the capital, I should retract my statement. Canberra nights have real potential.
  It would be wrong to describe Canberra as a boring capital or without culture. Admittedly, it is true that Melbourne or Sydney have distanced it in the eyes of the Australian youth. As an outsider used to the Parisian nightlife, I took a critical look at Canberra. I observed my fellow students following the same rhythm all semester. A back and forth from Mr. Wolf to Mooseheads, where the only originality was the booking of an interstate DJ on Fridays. For too long, public authorities have not considered the role of night culture in the attractiveness of the city. Besides, most students seem to enjoy this routine, limiting even further the possibility for Canberra to proclaim quality and original parties. Today, this is changing.
  The trigger? A new generation. There is now a momentum and dynamism in Canberra with many events at night, but also during the day, especially around the artistic scene. Since January 2018, the parties on offer have been more intense than ever. Outdoor raves led by local crews, edgy warehouse nights with international DJs, all-out art parties like Renaissance: local actors are shaking up Canberra.
  They are young and willing to create an alternative night, outside the traditional venues. One of them, Nick Trivett, DJ and co-president of Univibes explains: “There are not enough good nights-out and clubs run by the current institution in Canberra. Univibes, Pickles, Orbit, all that shit was started by local kids who aren’t happy with what’s currently happening – which means the honor falls on us to throw proper events.” All those names, including CBR House Social and Good Content are the leading party collectives in Canberra you should check for your next weekend.
  Although the diversity of models multiplies, they all gathered under the same desire: creating a more progressive, aesthetic and inclusive night. Mission accomplished for the Degenerate & Six’s team. These students and artists have proven their ability to bring an audacious concept to the capital. On Saturday gigs, a new crowd embraced the pop-up gallery where art pieces blended with dancers.
  I believe the power of the night shouldn’t be diminished. The party is our way to express ourselves and blossom. We share political questions, try to call out, to create a timeless place.
  Giving a quick glance around you during a gig should draw your attention to the representation issue within the club industry. That’s why initiatives such as Woroni DJ training for women and non-binary people or all-female lineup are necessary, and should inspire more eventplanners to respect gender equality. As revolutionary as it sounds for a place like Canberra, locals promoting queer or women DJ are still ahead of most of the parties in the country. Any party-goer should be aware for example that women represent only 23 per cent of Australian festival lineups!
  Our current clubbing culture reflects many social issues, as questions of domination, gender, race and sexuality. Today, we must stop minimising the political dimension of the night and start to consider party spaces as a relevant location for empowering minorities. It is not about tokenizing by inserting a few diverse people into the lineup, but rather giving people the opportunity to assert their identity through an event.
  This is the ambition of Canberra’s new night scene. I believe this change of mentality is essential because it could transform Civic nightclubs from a place where we go to mindlessly dance or drink to a living space of innovation, liberation and culture.

  Romane Fuentes

• How to Survive the Blistering Canberra Cold

  May 10, 2018 11:39 am Comments Off on How to Survive the Blistering Canberra Cold

  Winter is a difficult time of year. For those of us who aren’t Canberra locals, we have to get used to freezing days, biting wind, and a sun that just never warms us the whole way through. But, whether this upcoming winter is your 20th or first here in Canberra, these eight tips and tricks will help you make it through (mostly) unscathed.
   
  1. CRANK THE HEATER UP.
   
  The heaters at college (or, at least, those at B&G) are actually pretty good. A word from the wise: you can turn the knob halfway, and for some of them this is a good middle ground between “help me I’m sweating through my socks” and “my first toe just fell off it’s time to let hypothermia take me”. Otherwise crank it up, but leave your window open just a sliver and your room will warm up without getting too stuffy. eave the window open when you’re not in your room. It’s cold when you first get back, but you’ve got to let some fresh air in there.
   
  2.  LAYER, LAYER, LAYER.
   
  One of the best things about winter (for me, at least) is the fashion, but you do need to be smart. Go for lots of layers so that you can shed them when you arrive for that tute at AD Hope (which is unfailingly 30 degrees all year round), and then layer back up for the ride home. You should also invest in a puffer jacket – those bad boys are God’s gift to the frozen.
   
  3. WEAR GLOVES.
   
  Honestly, if you have to ride from campus into Civic on a freezing morning, or basically venture anywhere outdoors (which, let’s be real, we all eventually have to) then invest in a set of gloves. It doesn’t matter if they’re from Top Bargain or Mimco, but those babies are going to help you through the worst of winter. I went through an entire Canberra winter without gloves, and my hands were wind-chapped, cracking, and very unhappy with me. Learn from my mistakes.
   
  4. TAKE A HOT SHOWER/BATH.
   
  Particularly if you’re living off-campus and don’t want those gas and energy bills to be through the roof, take a bath or shower instead of turning on the heating. You’ll warm up, it’s a bit of self-love time, and you’ll actually feel toasty for the first time in months.
   
  5. GO ICE-SKATING.
   
  Since it doesn’t actually snow in Canberra you’ve got to take what you can get, and in our case that means going ice-skating. Each year around June there’s an outdoor ice-skating rink set up in Garema Place. Go and have fun with your friends, fall over, get blisters from ice skates that never fit quite right. It’ll make winter that little bit more bearable.
   
  6. GET A HOBBY, AND CATCH UP WITH FRIENDS.
   
  Coming from Queensland, the cloudiness, windiness, rain and general cold weather here can be a huge downer. During my first year (and hell, let’s be real, the years after too), I really felt the loss of the sun and struggled to get out and about as much as I usually do. It’s all too easy to curl up under the covers on a cold day and refuse to get out of bed, but it’s a dangerous cycle. Don’t start regularly missing your classes, and make sure that you’re still catching up with friends and doing the things that matter to you.
   
  7. HEAD OUT.
   
  Go clubbing if that’s your thing (enough drinks in and you won’t feel the cold, I promise), or head out for some eats and drinks. Grab a hot chocolate from Koko Black or literally anywhere on Lonsdale. Head to the Old Bus Depot Markets, take a stroll along the lake, or get a bit of shopping done in the city. You’ll be a bit chilly, but almost everywhere has heating on in winter, and you’ll feel better after getting out and about.
   
  8. EAT WARM FOODS.
   
  Embrace your cuddlier winter body and shovel warming foods into you. Come winter, I load up on Mum’s spag bol recipe, Nanna’s curry, and my best friend’s chili. Grab recipes that you know work, and make food that warms you from the inside out without worrying about carbs.
   
  Keep warm, and good luck!

  Sophie Johnson

• Smashing the Stigma Surrounding Mental Health

  11:10 am Comments Off on Smashing the Stigma Surrounding Mental Health

  Seven. That is the number of people, of a class of 30, that will be dealing with a mental health issue. Of these seven, only two will reach out for help. The other five will suffer in silence. One of the reasons for this silent suffering is the stigma surrounding mental illness and help-seeking behaviours.
  To help overcome this stigma, and foster help-seeking behaviour, one thing you can do right now is to start a conversation with someone. Specifically, have the “are you okay?” conversation. This act can be a difficult thing to do, and you may not know how to respond if someone says they aren’t okay. Luckily, there are plenty of online resources that give tips on how to have this conversation, such as R U OK and Beyondblue. Here are some of their tips on how to have this conversation.
  Are you Okay?
  1: Before you can look out for others, you need to look out for yourself. And that’s okay! If you’re not in the right headspace, try to think of someone else in that person’s support network who could talk to them.
  2: Ask “Are you okay?” Try to be relaxed, friendly and concerned in your approach. Help them open up by asking questions like “what’s been happening?” and mentioning specific things that have raised your concern for them, such as “you seem more quiet than usual. How are you going?”
  3: Listen. Try your best not to judge, and take what they say seriously. It’s best not to interrupt or rush the conversation, so don’t be afraid to sit through periods of silence if they need time to respond.
  4: Encourage action. You might consider asking questions like “what’s something you can do for yourself right now?” or “how would you like me to support you?” If they have been feeling really down for more than two weeks, it’s important to encourage them to see a health professional. Offer to help them seek out support – whether all they need is for you to point out a good GP or service, or help walk them to the waiting room. It’s best to be positive about the role of professionals.
  5: Check in. Remember to check in with them in a couple of weeks – sooner if they are really struggling. You can let them know you’ve been thinking about them and were wondering how they’ve been going. Ask if they’ve found a better way to manage the situation, but remember not to judge them if they haven’t done anything since your last chat.
  Whilst asking someone how they are sounds like such a simple thing, it can really make a difference to someone having a hard time. If nothing else, it shows them that you are thinking of them, and their wellbeing. For others, it can be the conversation that finally encourages them to seek help.
  It’s Okay to Not be Okay
  If you realise you aren’t okay, or that someone around you isn’t okay, there are plenty of options out there that can help. It’s okay to not be okay, and the best thing you can do is to reach out and seek help. And there are many ways to do this. You could reach out to family and/or friends for support, or chat to services over the phone or online, such as Lifeline (13 11 14) or beyondblue (1300 22 4636). You could book an appointment with ANU Counselling. You could book an appointment with your GP, who can do a mental health plan and direct you to services and health professionals that would suit your needs.
  It can be scary when you realise you might need help. It can also be scary going to access mental health services for the first time. However, looking after yourself is paramount – so it is important to engage with the help you need. This poses another reason why we need to smash the stigma surrounding mental health, so that we can foster open conversations on how to seek help, and what it was like to engage with said help. Because, if you’ve ever heard anyone share their personal story on mental health issues, you’ll hear about how important it can be to seek help and support
  Smashing the Stigma at the ANU
  It’s easy to see why smashing the stigma surrounding mental health is such an important task. And it’s a task the ANU student body hasn’t shied away from, with initiatives like Batyr and Civic2Surf showing just how motivated many of us are when it comes to fostering a positive mental health discourse. If you haven’t heard of Batyr, they are a for-purpose organisation who delivers peer-to-peer programs that engage, educate and empower young people on the topic of mental health. They train young people with lived experience to share their mental health journey, and how they sought help. Civic2Surf is the key fundraiser for Batyr and sees over 60 students participating in a running relay from Civic to Bondi to do their part to smash the stigma. Both initiatives were started by previous ANU students, and now see thousands of students across Australia positively engaging with the topic of mental health.
  The willingness and efforts of the ANU student body present the exciting opportunity for us to really make a difference in the area of mental health and help-seeking discourses. This work is also super important in the context that it can encourage people to seek help early on, which is especially salient given the current strain on mental health services. And, whilst the ANU student body has been taking a lead on smashing the stigma surrounding mental ill health, there is still so much more to be done. That is why this Uni Mental Health Day (and any other day), make sure to check in with yourselves, and those around you. Start that conversation. Perhaps check out many of the initiatives and resources on campus, or look up more information online. No matter what you do, remember that it’s okay to not be okay – and that it is super important to reach out and seek help if you need it.

  Jessica Woolnough