NOVEMBER 2020
BRUTUS NERINA RESIDENCE
respect | integrity | ubuntu | potential development
SURVIVAL EDITION
SURVIVAL GUIDE: THE HOLIDAYS How to stay productive during the three month holiday p.6
SURVIVAL GUIDE: NERINA 2021 Mental wellness during a pandemic p.12
SURVIVAL GUIDE: NEWCOMERS The ultimate Nerina bucket list p.18
Content INTRODUCTION Our story Letter from the editor
SURVIVAL GUIDE: THE HOLIDAYS Skin care and Covid masks How to stay productive during the holidays How to digital detox Movies to watch and books to read
SURVIVAL GUIDE: NERINA 2021 Budgeting tips for student life Stellenbosch must do's Mental wellness during a pandemic Things you should care about
SURVIVAL GUIDE: NEWCOMERS Survive welcoming 2021
The ultimate Nerina bucket list Things you didn't know you should pack Academic tips from our seniors Some inspiration
Our story NERINA RESIDENCE
Nerina’s name comes from the indigenous South African flower, Nerine Filifolia. This delicate,
yet
enduring
flower
brings
colour
to
the
open
grasslands
and
humid
locations in the Eastern Cape, Transkei, Swaziland, Mpumalanga and the Free State. It takes three years for this bulbous to bloom for the first time during autumn – and likewise most Nerinas are rooted here in our precious home in Stellenbosch for about three years before they need to exit into the world and start to bloom in their respective careers.
Nerina hosted our first residents in 1968. The residence was only completed in 1972 and for the first four years the residents had to use the back entrance next to the bicycle stands, as the front door was not yet complete. Mrs Rabie was Nerina’s first residence
head.
Her
dog,
Brutus,
was
a
beloved
resident
of
the
house
and
unfortunately passed a tragic death. He is layed to rest in Nerina’s soil where he still finds peace in the purple shade of our beautiful Jacaranda with our resident owls reminiscing over his memory.
Mrs. Kritzinger joined Nerina as residential head in 1995 and had to bid us farewell in 1999. Tannie Annette du Plessis has been deeply planted in our hearts as residential head and house mother since July 1999. Although greeting Aunty A. after twenty years was a heartfelt and difficult goodbye, we are overjoyed to have Joy Petersen as our current resident head. Her name is true to her joyful spirit and with her honest and practical servant leadership she captured our hearts. Oh, the stories our walls could tell... Stories filled with love, tears, joy and growth. Since 1968 Nerina has been home to many. With every new face that she greets, her face changes as well. While striving to grow and adapt as time goes by, we also know that our firm foundation was laid long before our time and will stand long after we leave. We often say, “Nerina is such a big part of our lives” but in fact, for a little while, we have the privilege of being part of hers.
Today
Nerina’s
heart
blooms
with
pride
for
our
residence
–
a
progressive
and
innovative home-away-from-home in the beautiful town of Stellenbosch. We stand for respect, integrity, Ubuntu and potential development. In this house, true to the roots of our name, Nerinas prosper and flourish.
Letter from the editor Karmen Wiid
Dearest Nerina,
What
a
tumultuous
year
it
has
been!
The
uncertainty
surrounding
university,
the
academic year and even our futures have been strenuous on us all. However, in the midst of all this chaos I have found comfort in my fond memories of Nerina and her inhabitants. Since we’ve all merely been surviving this past year, I have made this edition of Brutus a survival guide that will give you the tools to thrive in 2021. My vision was to make it a happy edition filled with soothing pastels and a sense of coming home.
I’m
sure
we’re
all
missing
our
home
away
from
home,
our
beautiful
quad,
the
mountains and the laughter of friends filling the hallways. I’m so excited for all of us to return soon and be together as a sisterhood once again. Until then, I hope this edition of Brutus carries you through the long holidays ahead and offers a little Nerina companionship until we meet again.
All my love,
Karmen
HOLIDAY
SURVIVAL
GUIDE
SKIN CARE AND COVID MASKS We all know that masks play a vital role in reducing the spread of the coronavirus, but they can also be very hard on your skin, causing problems that range from acne and peeling to rashes and itchiness. To help prevent skin problems from developing under your mask during the December heat, try the following actionable tips.
1.
Cleanse and moisturise your face daily.
Gentle skin care can prevent skin
problems. When washing your face, use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser. 2.
Protect your lips by applying petroleum jelly.
Dry skin and chapped lips are
common face mask skin problems. You can prevent chapped lips by applying petroleum jelly to your lips, but avoid the surrounding skin area. 3.
Skip the makeup when wearing a mask.
Beneath a mask, makeup is more
likely to clog your pores and lead to breakouts. If makeup is necessary, use only products labelled “non-comedogenic” or “won't clog pores.” 4.
Wash your cloth masks.
Many health care organizations now recommend that
you wash a cloth mask after each use. Washing it also removes oils and skin cells that collect inside the mask, which could lead to a skin problem.
PRO TIP: You can prevent breakouts by using a moisturiser formulated for your skin type.
Oily skin (or when weather is hot/humid): Gel moisturiser Normal or combination skin: Lotion Dry to very dry skin: Cream
How to stay productive during the holidays READ
Use this time to delve into all the unread books that have been calling your name from
your
bookshelf.
For
once,
read
MOVE
YOUR
BODY
something that you will enjoy, whether that may have
be
philosophy
proven
that
or
you
romance. sleep
You do not need to get a gym membership
Studies
better
or
and
torture
yourself
to
stay
healthy.
Find
something active that you love, like tennis,
relax more when you read for fun.
hiking or yoga. It is a great way to look after your body while also getting out of the house and staying positive.
SPEND WITH
QUALITY
YOUR
TIME
FAMILY
Ask your parents questions about their just
childhood be
interesting sparks.
and
you
surprised
the
conversations
Watch
favourite
might
by
movie
your with
it
sibling's them
and
grab a coffee with grandma.
GET
Be
CREATIVE
brave
something
enough new!
to
Try
be
your
bad
hand
at
at
a
creative hobby like painting, writing poetry,
dancing
or
pottery.
Spend
some time with yourself or do it with a friend and make a memory of it.
STAY
CONNECTED
The holidays are going to be long, so make time
to
catch
up
with
friends
that
you
DO
GOOD
won't see as often. A quick coffee date or message will go a long way to strengthen
Find
out
how
a valuable friendship.
community
you
outreach
can
get
involved
programs
or
in
charity
events. Not only will it enrich your soul and sense
of
gratitude,
but
it
will
also
look
great on your CV. Find something that you are
passionate
about,
shelters or the SPCA.
like
anti-GBV
HOW TO
digital detox
After a year of online study, most students’ overall screen time has increased exponentially.
If
you
are
feeling
stressed,
depressed
or
the
need
to
persistently check your phone, then you should consider doing a digital detox this holiday. A digital detox refers to a period of time when a person refrains from using tech devices such as smartphones, televisions, computers, tablets, and social media sites. “Detoxing” from digital devices is often seen as a way to focus on real-life social interactions without distractions. By forgoing digital devices, at least temporarily, people can let go of the stress that stems from constant connectivity.
Actionable tips: 1. Delete social media apps from your phone. 2. If that is too difficult, start by turning off push notifications. 3. Do not charge your phone in your room. 4. Set a time limit for your screen time. 5. Download a social media blocker app. 6. Watch "The Social Dilemma" on Netflix. 7. Keep a journal. 8. Explore new hobbies.
ENTERTAINMENT OUR TOP PICKS FOR YOR YOU THIS HOLIDAY
1.
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS This charming Woody Allen film imagines what would happen if one could travel back in time to
The
Golden
Age
of
Paris.
Marvelously
romantic and poignantly nostalgic, this film has found
the
wisdom.
Owen
dissatisfied reinvigorate glory.
perfect
While
blend
Wilson
Hollywood his
plays
whimsy a
on
dreams a
and
perpetually
screenwriter
youthful
working
of
novel,
trying
of
to
literary
he
finds
himself inexplicably travelling back in time and mixing with Paris’s elite. Among his new friends are Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein.
MONA LISA SMILE This
classic
centres
starring
around
a
Julia
1950s
Roberts
art
teacher
who wants to change the world one student at a time. Katherine Watson is something of a bohemian, but when she gets an opportunity to teach art history
at
one
prestigious Wellesley
of
the
country’s
institutions
College,
she
for
most
women,
jumps
at
the
chance. She moves to New England, but
brings
female
her
progressive
equality
heart-warming
with film
her. of
sisterhood and modern art.
values This
love,
is
of a
loss,
2.
TO READ:
1.
AMERICANAH Americanah is a 2013 novel by the Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, for which Adichie won the 2013 U.S. National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction. Ifemelu and Obinze are young and in love when
they
depart
West.
Beautiful,
military-ruled
self-assured
Nigeria
Ifemelu
for
the
heads
for
America, where despite her academic success, she is forced to grapple with what it means to be black for
the
hoped
first to
time.
join
Quiet,
her,
but
thoughtful with
Obinze
post-9/11
had
America
closed to him, he instead plunges into a dangerous, undocumented life in London. Fifteen years later, they
reunite
in
a
newly
democratic
Nigeria,
and
reignite their passion — for each other and for their homeland. This is a powerful, tender story of race, identity and ambition.
THE CLOCKMAKER'S DAUGHTER In the summer of 1862, a group of young artists led
by
the
passionate
and
talented
Edward
Radcliffe, descends upon Birchwood Manor on the banks of the Upper Thames. Their plan: to spend a secluded summer month in a haze of inspiration and creativity. But by the time their stay is over, one woman has been shot dead while
another
has
disappeared;
a
priceless
heirloom is missing; and Edward Radcliffe’s life is in ruins. Over one hundred and fifty years later,
Elodie
Winslow,
a
young
archivist
in
London, uncovers a leather satchel that leads her back to the mystery of Birchwood Manor. This is a beautifully written book of love and secrets.
2.
NERINA
2021
SURVIVAL
GUIDE
BUDGETING FOR STUDENTS ESTABLISH YOUR INCOME Firstly, you need to calculate how much money you receive. This will set the parameters of your spending, so think carefully about every possible source of revenue. The most common streams of income for students are savings, money from parttime jobs, money from parents and extra money from scholarships or bursaries. List all the sources of income to estimate your monthly revenue.
WHY A BUDGET IS IMPORTANT Budgeting is essential if you do not constantly want to worry about your financial situation or whether you will survive the month. Use apps like Starling Bank and Monzo to create a budget and easily keep track of your spending.
SET FINANCIAL GOALS Set small reachable goals for yourself each month, like spending less on a certain category, saving a certain amount of money or finding new ways to boost your income. You can also listen to interesting podcasts, such as Bossbabe, to learn more about managing your money as a young woman.
INVEST EARLY The earlier you begin to invest, the more your money works for you in the long term. Educate yourself by reading books and listening to investment podcasts. When you are ready, invest a portion of your savings with a credible brokerage.
ESTIMATE YOUR OUTGOINGS Next, you need to figure out where all of your money is going. You can either look back at your bank statement to your previous purchases, or simply input a rough estimate of how much you think you spend on each category. Essential student expenses include groceries, textbooks, entertainment, clothes, subscription services, mobile devices and transport. Group lists of expenses under specific categories and set a budget for each based on the reality of your spending during previous months.
CALCULATE WEEKLY BUDGET Once you've got all your expenses laid out before you, it's time to break it down into a weekly budget. Work out your total income for a term at university minus your essential expenses for the same period. Then divide the number you're left with by the number of weeks in a term. You've now got your weekly student budget – in other words, how much money you've got to spend on all those non-essential things each week. It's better to budget your expenditure per week rather than per month, as it's easy to go overboard at the start of the month and be penniless by the end.
STELLENBOSCH MUST DO'S
01
02
BABYLONSTOREN
COETZENBURG
03
04
JONKERSHOEK
LANZERAC
05
06
JAVA
BOTANICAL GARDENS
Mental wellness DURING A PANDEMIC
PAUSE. This pandemic has slowed everything down. Instead of fighting it, try to slow down with it. In many ways we have been given a year filled with pauses.
Challenge
feeling
and
yourself
what
you
to
are
stop
and
thinking,
notice.
without
Notice
how
judgment.
you
are
Instead
of
responding or reacting to those thoughts or feelings, note them, and then let them go. Notice all the small moments you never would have had if it were not for the pandemic, like eating meals with your family, having your morning coffee in your own bed or being able to take your siblings to school. After everything, I think our biggest lesson is that humans were never meant to live in such a hurry. Pausing cultivates peace and peace ultimately cultivates happiness.
BREATHE. When you are feeling anxious, take some slow breaths: in through your nose, then slowly breathe out. Slow breathing is one of the best ways to lower stress, because it signals to your brain to relax your body. One of the best ways to become present during a crisis, is through intentional breathwork. Try five minutes of breathing exercises when you wake up in the morning and before you go to sleep. It sets the tone for your day so that you can take anything on with clarity and concentration, no matter what is thrown your way. It also gives your brain more oxygen, thus enhancing focus and reason.
REFLECT. During times when your life is being thrown upside down and everything that
was
once
familiar
recedes
into
uncertainty,
it
is
important
to
reflect on your experiences and feelings. We are standing at the end of a year filled with ambiguity and turmoil. The best you can do now is to pause, breathe and reflect on everything that happened. Focus on the lessons you have learnt and the things you are grateful for. Make these thoughts feelings.
tangible
by
journaling
or
creating
art
that
echoes
your
8
T H I N G S
Y O U
S H O U L D C A R E
A B O U T
PEOPLE, EVENTS AND MOVEMENTS AFFECTING THE WORLD IN 2021
1
GBV
I N
S OUT H
3
AF RI CA
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a profound and
widespread
problem
in
South
Africa,
# E N D S A R S
impacting every aspect of life. It is systemic and
deeply
cultures
and
traditions
government centre
entrenched
GBV
alone
in
and
in
institutions,
our
country.
femicide
recorded
more
The
command
than
120,000
victims in the first three weeks of lockdown. The numbers
have increased exponentially
since
is
then.
It
time
to
unite
against
this
cruel assault against humanity.
2
The
Special
Anti-Robbery
Squad
was
assembled in 1992 after armed robbery became
widespread
in
Nigeria.
Under
multiple presidential regimes, SARS has abused
its
arrests
which
beating, young
power have
through resulted
kidnapping Nigerians.
and
unlawful in
raping,
stealing
from
have
been
There
massive protests in Nigeria following a
A R M E N I A
recent
A Z E R B A I J A N
shooting a man. Not long after this, the
C O N F L I C T
“The
video
Lekki
of
Toll
SARS
Gate
unjustifiably
massacre”
took
place, which was also caused by police brutality.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have reignited their
32-year
struggle
over
4
Nagorno-
Karabakh, a mountainous territory of 150 000
people.
brokered peace clashes
Despite
ceasefire
Nagorno-Karabakh
international-
agreed
negotiations erupt
an
have
to
stalled
frequently and
in
1994, and
around
along
the
Azerbaijan-Armenia border. Hundreds of people have been killed since this recent conflict began in September.
During
a
country’s North
K O R E A N M I S S I L E S
military 75th
Korea
ballistic
N O R T H
parade
Worker’s
Party
unveiled
missile,
which
celebrating
a is
the
Anniversary,
massive the
new
largest
to
date. According to Reuters, “Analysts said the
missile,
which
was
shown
on
a
transporter vehicle with eleven axles, would be
one
of
intercontinental
the
largest
ballistic
road-mobile
missiles
in
the
world if it becomes operational." The threat of nuclear war depends on the tolerance of countries like the U.S.
5
C L I M A T E
7
C H A N G E
The planet's average surface temperature has risen 1.14 degrees Celsius since the late 19th century, and most of the warming occurred in the past 40 years. The six warmest years on record took place since 2014. Also, since the beginning
of
the
Industrial
Revolution,
the
acidity of surface ocean waters has increased by
about
30%,
both
of
these
a
result
of
humans emitting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and hence more being absorbed into the ocean. Climate change results in the extinction
of
species
and
the
increase
in
L I V E S
South
Africa
have
increased drastically since 2011, with shocking
200
attacks
and
50
a
brutal
murders in 2020 so far. Agri South Africa says
the
differentiating
factor
between
farm attacks and other crimes in South Africa
is
attacks rural
the
are
setting
brutality
with
which
executed.
Because
of
the
farms,
farm
of
the
perpetrators
have more time to torture their victims.
various races are heavily affected.
M A T T E R
the
unlawful
deaths
of
George
Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery in the U.S. The movement stands for freedom,
justice
in
to recover. Farmers and farm workers of
B L A C K
after
liberation,
murders
lasting, with farms taking up to five years
BLM is a movement that took the world by storm
M U R D E R S
The long-term effects of these attacks are
natural disasters.
6
Farm
F A R M
the
for
end
of
oppressed
police
brutality
minorities
across
and
8
H U M A N T R A F F I C K I N G
the
globe. An estimated 15 million to 26 million
The
people, although not all are members or part
women and girls have reached shocking
of the organization, participated in the 2020
statistics,
Black
women
Lives
Matter
protests
in
the
United
trafficking
States, making Black Lives Matter one of the
These
largest movements in the history of the United
sexual
States,
such
further
historic year.
emphasising
that
2020
is
a
of
with
an
enslaved
women
are
domestic
South
estimated
in
exploitation as
young
South
155
Africa
trafficked and
African
alone.
mostly
other
labour,
000
for
purposes,
for
criminal
activities, as well as organ transplants. In the last two decades, increasingly, reports of
human
exploitation and
visual
African brothels.
trafficking have
surfaced
media,
Police A
Rustenburg
fuelled
Service
new as
for
by
the the
(SAPS)
report
the
in
sexual
hub
trafficking in South Africa.
print South
raids
on
has
named
of
human
NEWCOMERS
SURVIVAL
GUIDE
SURVIVE WELCOMING 2021
sunscreen and water
protect your voice
You are going to be active in the sun
Screaming, singing and chanting are
for ten days straight! Drink at least 3
common activities during welcoming.
litres of water daily and continually re-
If you don’t want to lose your voice
apply your sunscreen. There is nothing
by
worse than dehydration or a sunburn
have
during welcoming.
drink lots of water!
utilise your wellness
Plan outfits the night
mentor
before
You
have
reason. stressed
If
a
wellness
you
or
are
mentor
feeling
uncomfortable,
for
the
second
some
day,
Strepsils
make at
sure
hand
to
and
a
Make sure to check the dress code,
anxious,
plan and lay out your outfit for the
talk
to
following
day
each
evening.
This
them! They are more than happy to
helps a lot if you oversleep, which is
listen and give advice.
bound to happen.
be open to making new
keep healthy snacks in
friends
your room
During welcoming you will meet a lot
Being
of new people. Challenge yourself to
hungry and the portions of res meals
make some new friends. If you are
are not that large. In your off time,
going
make
to
be
negative
about
socialising, you will miss all the fun.
highly
sure
active
to
buy
makes
some
you
very
healthy
snacks so you can stay energised.
MEMORIES
OF
WELCOMING
2020
The Ultimate Nerina
BUCKET LIST Have a sleepover on the balcony
Participate in MolassesĂŞr
Attend a House Forum
Take part in Nerina Amiga
Take a snapshot of the owls
Picnic on the front grass
Witness Pieke sing Save Tonight
Help save the bicycle
Babysit Pancakes
Attend HIIT FIT in the rec hall
Use a fake name at a social
Tan in the quad
Splash in the fountain
Read through Brutus
THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW YOU SHOULD PACK
printable Shower flip flops Plastics crates under bed Hangers Combination locks Robe Prestik Fan Multiplug and extension lead Study lamp Curtain tie-backs Rug in front of bed Laundry basket Pen holder Sponge on top of matress Push pins Coffee, tea, sugar Water bottle USB memory stick Tupperware boxes Tea towels Washing powder
NOTES
Academic tips from our seniors Prepare for class. Go through all the readings before attending the lecture. Make additional notes of what the lecturer says!
Engage in lectures. Always ask and answer questions during lectures. This will help you to understand the work.
Review notes frequently. Make time each week to go through all the notes you have made for your modules.
Ask for help.
Form a study group. Find a couple of friends in your class that are willing to put in the same effort as you. Then, divide the work equally, have discussions about it and share notes.
If you are too nervous to ask your lecturer, ask a friend or your academic mentor in res for some tips.
Use time blocking Take productive breaks. After studying for an hour, don't just use your break to scroll through social media. Do some stretches or go for a walk to keep you in a productive mindspace.
Schedule what work you are going to do when. Be specific when blocking out your time for certain tasks. Instead of putting "History" in your calendar, rather put in "review history lecture 4 and 5 notes." Make your tasks as actionable, bite-size and realistic as possible.
inspiration
Happy holidays, Nerina!