Family Guy: What Grinds My Gears - UNI VERSION

YOU KNOW WHAT REALLY GRINDS OUR GEARS? And I mean EVERY UNI STUDENT BREATHING ON THIS EARTH.

Here you can find a list of all the outrageous things you can find at uni which is nothing but a pain in the ass when you see it! We will try to be a little more classy than Peter Griffin and ensure our status within the blog life is not tarnished.

For those of you who haven't actually seen Family Guy's What Really Grinds my Gears - Here it is! If you know Family Guy, you'll understand their opinion of humour, is very nasty, slapstick humour. And probably not for the faint-hearted.

• couples making out on campus. PDA: MQ UNI students say no!
• Textbook prices. Are you seriously going to expect students to hand you money for 500 pages of IRRELEVANCE IN LIFE for a fortnights pay? 

• Walking from Y3A to E6A for back-to-back classes. If you seriously want us to be on time for classes maybe you should create a TELEPORTING MACHINE.
• The volunteer workers outside MQU station. You couldn't have picked a better spot to make everyone late for the trains and buses. Thank you guys. 

• Hippies and religious evangelicals on campus.
• Lack of free parking on campus.
• Getting in group assignments with ghosts (i.e the people who turn up first class of semester and are never to be seen or heard of again)
• Law Students.

• The students who travel before they started studying who have dreadlocks, a ton of stories from around the world and to top it off they wear tattered clothes and thongs around campus. I am sorry but it does not say you are 'organic' it screams that you have a trust fund.
• Hippies in general
• Un-involved lecturers and tutors...
• The library monitors who yell at you when you get too loud - and then make you feel bad for speaking at all in the first place
• "I didnt even study for the exam"
  *Gets 95%*
  "what a fluke"
  - I CALL BULLSHIT

And you're late for the uni class you actually need to go to

Review on Uni Sport - Water Polo Club and Netball Social Sessions

Finally, here's a splurge on social sports. The water polo club I was a part of was a fun experience but they are not the best teams, competition-wise. As a beginner as well I felt quite out of it... There's no coach so you muck around a lot and what not. If you not how to play – great! - But don't expect to win. If you don't know how to play – great! - But don't fool yourself into thinking you will learn how to play. I quit after a season.

As for social netball, these are very in-house style events where you can make up your own team to play in or join an “individuals team” an verse other uni students. Wise words – don't join an individual team – it was a horrible experience – no one bonded and so no one showed up to games. Or maybe we just were socially inept haha? Nonetheless, we all knew how to play as indiviuals but as a team we failed so wasn't much fun. Very good for keeping active on a regular basis though and I could see the formed teams of mates were having so much fun. Maybe the little green monster of jealousy is getting to me! I will definitely keep up social sessions but with my own team next time!!

Thanks,

The Uni Students.

Review on Uni Sport - How the Gym works.

I'd like to talk about the gym at uni. It's also pretty great. I like to say I'm a regular but to be honest I sometimes don't walk into that place for 3 weeks. When I do go though its full on 3 days a week at least. My program is a full body workout with a weights set, cardio circuit and then an abs work. The gym has all the equipment you could possibly want and the best feature for me is that it has a women's only weights section so you don't have to feel so self-conscious around the big bulky men staring at themselves and probably you (and your arse) in the mirrors! The machines are also tailored to women of course so you know exactly what to do. The PT's down there offer you free consultations every 6 weeks which is a fantastic service too. Be careful about who you get though because there are definitely some good and others that aren't so good at writing you up a program that suits you. What I've realised is that every single one of them has different beliefs about exercise and how to get results, just like diets crazes... you gotta try them all out, see what makes you feel good, and stick with it! It's a great young vibe .. there's even DJs that pump out the tunes on Friday arvos for your workout...so try it out! Classes are apparently good too but I haven't actually tried them so I won't go into detail..but theres heaps of variety … body pump, cycle classes, yoga, pilates, martial arts, swimfit, etc.

Reference: http://cdn1.smosh.com/sites/default/files/ftpuploads/bloguploads/meme-doyouever-bigkid .jpg

Reference: http://shapingyourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/girls-in-the-gym-e1387129917145.jpg

Review on Uni Sport - Sports and Activities Hub

Hey Sportsmen and Sportswomen,

So I'm pretty immersed in the Sports Department with MQ Uni Campus Life (the company I am employed with) and also immerse myself in sport activities of my own so I feel pretty qualified to give you the run-down on it all. Here goes...

Firstly, I highly recommend popping down the the Sports and Activities Hub between 12pm and 3pm any day Monday-Friday.. No I don't get anything out of this. This is a service offered to students aimed at giving you guys a fun and active study break over the lunch period. I set up things like giant chess, giant jenga (very popular), table tennis (you've gotta be quick to get a table) and foosball. ..There are even occasionally arcade games set up in the atrium.

I also available for students like you to answer any sports-related questions and to hand out more sports equipment on request – If you want to borrow a ball to go outside and run around and play a game in the sunshine – we have basketballs with hoops set up around campus, soccer balls with goals I can put out, rugby balls, etc. This is entirely for the good of the students. All activities are free of course. We are here to help! There are also pop-up events every now and then so keep posted for these.. The last one we held was a bubble-soccer event which is where people wear inflatable rings around their waists and run around like wild geese bumping into each other while trying to score a goal. Lots of fun! Another one was a basketball shooting competition. Event participation is well-motivated with prizes like MQ Uni hoodies and bags, etc.

See next post for more..

Finding a job

Everyone knows how difficult life as a university student can be when you are jobless. You are unable to go out, take someone one a nice date, it may be difficult to travel overseas and experience different things etc. But there are a lot of nice things which you can do, but for now, this is for those looking for a job and want that extra bit of cash without selling off your kidney.

To be completely honest, finding a job is a job in it self. You need to be able to do a lot of research regardless if it was a grad position or that casual you are applying for online.


Step one - Setup:




Fix up your resume! Don't send the same resume to every company which you applied. Instead try to tailor your resume. This would help to stand out from others who are applying for the same position as you are. If you don't have a resume or are uncertain how to tailor your resume, you should visit Macquarie's career services and they will give you a template to follow and even help you tailor your resume as you like.

If you like someone to review your resume, Macquarie also offers this service: www.careerhub.mq.edu.au/Form.chpx?id=146297
Just submit your resume and you will be sent a file with feedback along side it.

You can also get one-on-one help by booking an appointment:
www.careerhub.mq.edu.au/Appointments.chpx
Make sure you prepare anything that requires to be reviewed, so you don't waste too much time :)



Step two - Preparation:
If you don't have LinkedIn try and get an account and keep it upto date. This is a great way to sell yourself, as recruiters most likely end up stalking you before they hire you.
 
Do your research! Make sure that you use all the information that is available out there soyou can get to know the industry you wish to get into, the different organisations and job market. This information can help you stand out during your interview.


Step three - Where to look:

Here are a few sites which could help you search different opportunities:
 
Graduate programs:
https://www.careerhub.mq.edu.au/
http://www.graduateopportunities.com/
http://www.unigrad.com.au/home/
http://au.gradconnection.com/
http://www.graduatejobs.com.au/
http://australia.gov.au/topics/employment-and-workplace/australian-government-jobs/graduate-programs

General Job Websites: 
https://www.careerhub.mq.edu.au/
http://www.seek.com.au/
http://au.indeed.com/?r=us
http://mycareer.com.au/
http://www.careerone.com.au/
http://www.jobsearch.gov.au/
http://jobs.com.au/
http://www.careerjet.com.au/
http://www.alljobs.com.au/
http://www.applydirect.com.au/

You can also try to attend the next Careers Fair which is on the10th March 2015 (12-3pm at the Atrium)

Step four -  Try different things:
Remember that the best opportunities don't always fall onto your lap. You need to try different things. Networking events are a good opportunity to build on your current contacts, because most of the time, it doesn't matter what you know, but who you know. Ensure that you use your current networks and build your existing ones... you never know, that friend of yours, which you met three years ago, might be able to help you later on in life :)

Good luck job hunting,
Tharinda

Cheap Student Nights at Strike Bowling and Events Cinemas.

So I just came across this advertisement leaflet in the bathrooms of Uni and wanted to share because it is legitimately important stuff to know! I promise I am not affiliated with Strike Bowling.. just think it's a good deal that not many people know about yet. Strike Bowling across the road from uni at Macquarie Centre has just launched a student night (Tuesdays 5pm onwards) for cheap drinks and unlimited bowling, lazer tag, karaoke, pool and “ultimate pong” (whatever that is haha) for just $10. That's actually amazing, hey. Who wouldn't want that.

Now, I went to a function at Strike the other day with work and let me give you a review on the food and some tips on how to look amazing in lazer and bowling. We were told we were to be given finger food – when we got there their “finger food” was a pleasant surprise – I didn't even need dinner. They offered things like cute little wrapped packages of fish and chips, Mexican-style mini borritos (but not even that mini!) and mini hamburgers (these were actually mini). I highly recommend these food options. Strike is super fun.. make sure you hit the bases to get extra points and don't be an idiot and run around like crazy in the open or you WILL get hit.. be stealth and hide in a corner or crouch under a wall so you are protected and can get good aim. As for bowling, I suck.. can't bowl straight. So I have nothing to give.. Sorry, that is all.


Another secret I want to let you in on is to buy a CineBuzz for Students Rewards Membership at Events Cinema (opposite Strike at Macquarie Centre) – every Monday (any time) you can buy $8 movie tickets which is a real bargain these days! Also $9 tickets Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 2pm and 5pm if you are lucky enough to find a good session in those limited times.

They look after us poor uni students well, hey! Take advantage of it!

And hope I've served you well...I've sorted your Monday (Strike fun) and Tuesday (Movie fun) nights for you. Write it in your calender.

From The Uni Students.

Reference: www.eventcinemas.com.au  

Procrastinating: Tips of the Trade!

You’re an avid procrastinator. That is why your reading this post when your assignment is due in few hours with 1000 words to go. Welcome to the club. There are no two ways around it, its boring, its hard, its painfully, its not on an Xbox, its not directed by Zach Snyder and it does not even involve sex. You promised yourself you would do it today, and like any true procrastinator you want to study without doing the work. So here are a few ways to procrastinate guilt free.

Phantom Impulses

Its time to study and all of a sudden you realise you need to level up on Destiny, or you realise yeah, you are really pumped to go to the gym. You don’t want to push it, if you study too much you may forget the material you already learnt from that time you did study. Which was the first time you studied, and the last time you are going to study. The best thing you can do is embrace these impulses and compromise. Pick up the Xbox controller, why not play Xbox for what you think will be only half an hour, you will study after, right? Sure.

The Feeling Ain’t Right

You need to be impossibly ready to study. For you to successfully study, everything in the universe needs to be just right. If you can convince yourself that even one little thing is off, it is best not to force it. Yep, just as you sit down you realise that it is the vernal equinox. Better leave it for another time.

The Hunger Games

You finally convince yourself to sit down and begin but you realise that you have not consumed nearly enough calories to carry you through this one-way trip through Hell. If you are going to study, which is a big IF, you’re going to go need to eat to last as long as a Christmas ham, a month or two.

Gone in 60 seconds

You sit down and you realise that your Adobe is updating on your laptop or that you left your lecture notes in the car. Don’t even consider amending the situation because you know it will take the rest of your day to fix. You didn’t come here to sit around, you came here to study and you weren’t even 100% on that, just let bygones be bygones and accept that you won’t get any work done and turn the Xbox on.

Yawning

You just yawned once, there is no way you are finishing this assignment tonight. The best thing you can do is accept that sleep is needed then just curl up in your doona cover. Don’t bother setting an alarm you know how long you need to leave to finish it off in the morning.

Priority Principle

You think to yourself, I could go some KFC then you think ‘if I don’t have enough energy how will I remember all of this material?’ Apply the priority principle, your stomach is always full of food but your brain is never full knowledge. You must go to KFC and realign this imbalance. Obviously ordering a meal with a mountain dew. Trust me.

The Buddy System

Its time to study and you hit up your buddy to see if they will study with you. They have already gone over the material, however you agree to meet up anyway. Next thing you know you're drunk in a taxi about to hit the club. You may not be getting your work done or tomorrow morning for that matter, but was it worth the 10% late penalty? Yes, it was the best night of your life.

And there you have it, that’s how the Uni student procrastinate guilt free.

- Josh

For my method on how to study go to this link - http://howtheunistudentsdo.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/my-method-for-studying-at-uni.html

Saving on Transport

This is to all trouble makers and the cheats.

*I am not responsible or liable in any way for your actions. This post is to educate anyone who is reading it and it is up to your discretion to use this as it may not be foolproof

Trains:

It is a bit tricky, but in the name of science and for all the hobos' out there, here goes. This method, if done correctly, can be cheaper than a pensioner's ticket (if you have a concession card). And it also depends on how far you need to travel. You obviously have to be a little bit shifty if you want to try this out.

Purchase a valid single ticket from A to B, which means if you are ever checked, you are not doing anything wrong. However, when exiting you will be required not to put the ticket through the gates and retain your ticket. You will need to find ways of jumping over the gates by literally jumping over it, walking behind someone, or using the disable gates because it is open longer than the normal gates.

When returning from B to A, you will have to jump the gates again, which means you will have the same valid single ticket from A to B. This can work if you don't want to pay the $200 fine for fare evasion as you have a valid ticket. Be sure to come up with a good excuse if they do question you lol.

gl hf,
Tharinda