Exchange

The Off Campus Student Connection Semester 1 2014, Issue 1

1 From the Editor

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

2 O-Week Checklist
Useful for first-year students

3 Unit Review
By Tanya Bird

By Tanya Bird & Jo Harries

4 Meet Allie Golotta 6 Creative Writing

By Alexandra Golotta

7 Studying with Preschoolers

By Alanah Andrews

9 New Beginnings

Creative Writing by Karolina Stypa

10 Taking a break in Hosier Lane

Photography by Karolina Stypa

11 A new breed of rescue dog

By Tanya Bird

13 Play me, Im yours

Photography by Karolina Stypa

14 Semester One Key Dates

Disclaimer: Opinions in articles do not reflect the thoughts and opinions of MUGSU, Federation University or Monash University as a whole. eXchange Magazine accepts zero responsibility for any offense a reader may take to any and all material presented in any eXchange publication. No original material in this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the original contributor.

Exchange

WELCOME
to the first issue of Exchange, the Off Campus Connection. Hopefully it will be the first of many!

Exchange was born from two desires. The desire for students to have a place to express themselves and see their work, whether creative or journalistic, published for all to see. The second was the need for off campus students to have a place to connect. As the Off Campus Vice President for our Student Union, MUGSU, I realised that I finally had a chance to answer these requests. And so, with the help of some dedicated students, Exchange was created. Exchange publication is 100% student run by off campus students at Monash Gippsland / Federation University. In this issue you will read articles submitted by students, meet off campus student Allie Golotta, browse some unit reviews, and find an array of creative writing and photography. If you are interested in submitting your work for the next issue (no you dont need to be a journalism student) please email me at ocvp@monash.edu. I hope you enjoy this issue, Alanah

A l e x a n d r a G o l o t t a
Off Campus Professional Communications Student

A l a n a h A n d r e w s
Off Campus Professional Communications Student

T a n y a B i r d
Off Campus Communications Student

K a r o l i n a S t y p a
Off Campus Student

Joanne Harries
Off Campus Community Welfare Student

Partying, drinking, meeting your lecturers, making new friends.... O-Week for Off Campus students is a little different! However, it is still an important week of semester, especially for first-year students. Access student emails Need help? Call ICT on - Phone: (03) 5327 9999 Check that you have enrolled in all required units Need help? Fed Uni students go here: http://federation.edu.au/students/getting-started-at-feduni/enrolment Monash students go here: http://www.monash.edu.au/enrolments/ Purchase / source all required resources Texts can be bought from the University bookshop or check out the MUGSU Marketplace on Facebook Access the moodle website for your units Why not pop on and start an introductions thread Check out the library Many books are accessible online, and the rest can be posted out to you. Go to the library website Referencing - Check out the how to guides on the library website https://federation.edu.au/library/assignment-and-research-help the off campus student facebook page

O-WEEK CHECKLIST

UNIT REVIEW
Feature Writing
Code: ATS1331 Level: Undergraduate Faculty: Faculty of Arts Offered: Second Semester, 2014 Handbook: http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2014handbooks/units/ ATS1331.html Reviewed by Tanya Bird This unit builds on the basic feature writing concepts that are introduced in semester one. Students are provided with the opportunity to advance their writing, researching and reporting skills as they experiment with different feature writing styles. While students are taught current workplace practices and principles, they also develop an awareness of how contemporary issues (even seemingly dry ones) can be humanised and made accessible to audiences. The required readings for the unit were helpful, clear and interesting. There was one particular feature story that I read which still makes me tear up when I think about it, so be prepared to discover the power of word choice. Many of the writing skills learned throughout the semester can be applied to any form of writing. Try to absorb the extras included in the lectures and you will finish it a much better writer. Off campus students do not have tutorials and this can be a disadvantage for workshopping of assessments and access to your tutor. To compensate for this, students need to utilise Moodle as much as possible. Ask questions, share story ideas, post your storys lead, and engage with other students the same way you would in a classroom. Happy writing.

Introduction to Indigenous Australian Studies

Code: ATS1251 Level: Undergraduate Faculty: Faculty of Arts Offered: First Semester, 2014 Handbook: http://www.monash.edu/pubs/2014handbooks/units/ ATS1251.html Reviewed by Jo Harries As a student I entered this unit with a limited but curious perspective of Aboriginal Australia. Consequently, my interest in the spirituality, identity and history of these peoples aided my academic approach to this unit and the exploration of Australian history through their visual lens. Lecturers used a diverse range of source materials. This extended from library-obtained articles, text readings, Newspaper, YouTube presentations assisted in increasing my small knowledge of Indigenous Australians and their cultures. Consequently, I was challenged in my approach and misrepresentation held towards our Indigenous peoples. As a result of a plethora of information expressed in this unit, it was important to keep up-to-date with weekly requirements as for all units. Questions and discussion of the basics of nature were vital and encouraged at all times within this unit. Often it was important to discuss concepts and gain clarity for the key issues such as customary law, kinship systems and spirituality which form the foundations for Indigenous life. Communication with lecturers was positive and response to emails within limits of University policy. Enjoy!!!

ALLIE GOLOTTA
by Tanya Bird

MEET OFF CAMPUS STUDENT

The Off Campus student is elusive. Eternally absent, but always listening. You might find them lurking on the discussion boards of Moodle, or see them emerge from the shadows at exam time. These ambiguous creatures are shrouded in mystery. Yet if you shine a light upon them, you will discover a vibrant individual behind every user name. This issue we welcome to the spotlight, Off Campus student, Alexandra Golotta. But you can call her Allie. Allie, 28, is studying a Bachelor of Arts (Professional Communication) part time, while working full time for Arts Centre Melbourne. She lives in Carrum, in Melbournes southeast, and uses her train commute to and from work for Uni reading. And Sudoku. When I finished year 12, I never wanted to write another essay again, says Allie. After finishing school, Allie made the decision to defer University and work for a year while she figured out her career path. Her lingering interest in photography saw her enrol at Photographic Imaging College where she studied photography for two years. I met some photographers and decided thats not the life for me. She then took a job within the Visual

Communications field, but says that her brain was crying out for something else to do. At 25 years of age, she was not interested in the full submersion experience of University. Long past her days of pub crawls, she decided to study off campus, so that she could continue working. Allie trialled a public relations unit with Open Universities and spent six months researching her options, before deciding to enrol at Monash. From the first two units I did, I absolutely loved it. I found that it really suited me. She found that motivation came naturally to her and that Off Campus learning enabled her to focus, away from the distractions of a classroom. I work with people all day at work, so its quite nice to come home and have this private project that you work on. For Allie, the best part is being able to dictate how study fits into her life. Saturdays and Sundays are her dedicated study days, and she tries to maintain a strict nine to five approach. I still cant believe they let you do that, she laughs. It makes it so accessible. I would never have been able to go back to Uni full time. As she begins her fifth year of study, she admits that the isolation from other students can also be the challenging part. Alexandra Golotta, 28, is an off campus student studying a BA in Professional Communication. She successfully juggles full time work, part time study and a myriad of hobbies.

Continued page 5

Particularly in the cold, dark, winter months, when youve spent the entire weekend inside, sitting still, on your own, reading Max Weber theories. The pay off comes at the end of the semester, when she is sitting exams. You realise that you know all of this stuff that you didnt know three months ago, she says. Allie credits her success to always being proactive, and keeping on the front foot. Her advice to other students is to approach each unit from the point of view of the lecturer and avoid getting bogged down in the detail. Dont sweat the small stuff, and think more broadly about what you should be taking away from the unit. Dont try to understand every word because there is some stuff that will just drive you crazy. If you are trying to understand something complicated, put it in your own words, and post it on the message board. Dumb it right down. Talk to people on the message board, because that has got to be the best tool we have. Allie now nears the end of her degree with a sort of reluctance. The temptation to keep studying is trumped by her need to pay her mortgage. She is forced to think of her post study career path, and is currently considering a future in print media, or corporate communications. Im still figuring it out, but Ive narrowed it down, she says, laughing. Corporate communications would be an interesting area to work in. Ive always been interested in how an organisation presents itself to the

public. Particularly when it comes to the fringe government cultural sector, its a dialogue that happens because those organisations only exist to provide something for people. So how do we talk about that? For now, Allie continues to research and sample her options. She finds time to produce and present a Saturday afternoon show for her local community radio station. She contributes to Pearl Magazine, an online publication dedicated to the arts in Bayside and the Morning Peninsula, and writes music reviews for the DMG radio website. She also plays the piano (yes, she has time for a hobby). I figure if I spend some time doing these things, Ill find out if I like doing them in reality. We wish you all the best Allie.

dont you know Im so tired of your stupid face always steadfastly fixed to an LCD screen Light up that other cigarette With some luck you will be dead before too long

waste this moment there could be more singing that same old tune assumptions about the kindest being most nave while youre your safe and reliable disdain mediating the world in the darkness Throw away friend Because we will let go and find peace And youll forgiven by the and forgive them in return And youll forget you were angry

-By Allie Golotta

STUDYING WITH PRESCHOOLERS

The sun hasnt even thought about rising but I am already frantically hammering on the keys of my laptop. A cup of tea steams next to me. No time to drink it. I glance nervously at the fluorescent numbers on my desktop. They blink innocently back at me. 6.02. 6.02. 6.02. 6.03. And then I hear it. Just a rustle at first. I stop typing. Hell, I stop breathing. Go back to sleep, go back to sleep I silently pray to the God of Study, the God of Sleep, any God who happens to be stupid enough to be listening to me at 6am on a Sunday morning. It is no use, and my heart sinks as I hear the wonderful, annoying, amazing yet frustrating sound of my children giggling in the next room. Being a university student and being a parent is tough. There, I said it. And if you add part-time work into the mix as well, then it can certainly become a bumpy road. And if you do succeed, if you get that HD and the paycheck and your kids are still breathing and everyone is calling you a super-parent, there is still the elephant that everybody refuses to talk about. The guilt. When you become a mum or a dad this voice inside of you suddenly comes to life which says Johnny didnt eat his greens tonight. Must be his parents fault. Cindy just threw her potatoes at Johnny. It must be attention-seeking behaviour driven by the lack of attention from her parents as they were busy working / studying / attempting to get five minutes of sleep. When a student without kids get a good mark on their assignment they relax and say Yay for me. When a parent receives the same results they have mixed feelings. Was it worth it? I have been blessed with the enormous task of raising a tiny human to be kind, caring, respectful, to know his ABCs, to ride a bike, to not become an axe murderer, to be curious, to be loving... How much time have I spent working on this assignment that could have been spent in quality parent-child time? After four years of studying, working, raising two preschoolers and battling these emotions I have finally achieved a state of balance. Hopefully some of these tips will help to smooth out your own journey.

1) USE YOUR KIDS AS MOTIVATION

Why do you want to study? For most people it is to do with bettering yourself, becoming more knowledgeable, working towards a more rewarding career... so remind yourself, you are doing this for the kids. In the long run this is going to benefit them, so you may as well put the hard yards in now. I dont think that its a bad thing for your kids to see you studying. Its all very well and good to say to your kids school is important, study hard. But to actually model the behaviour of a good student is bound to be a hundred times more effective. PS there is nothing wrong with putting the kids to bed half an hour early and letting them read flick through a book until it is lights out. This is actually a good habit to get into for school and it gives you half an hour you otherwise wouldnt have had.

2) IGNORE THE HOUSEWORK

Seriously. You need to study when the kids are asleep, or if they go to daycare / kinder then this is your time to focus. Dont waste it scrubbing muck off dishes or vaccuuming the floor for the tenth time because your darling son has decided to use chunks of food as race-car ramps. Yes, the housework will get done, but instead of doing it all yourself you can utilise the help of the very culprits that made the mess. This works well for kids aged two and up, who can be convinced that putting away toys or picking up rubbish is actually a game. Therefore, by ignoring the housework while you are studying you are creating quality parent-child time, teaching your kids about cleanliness and responsibility, and perhaps making it just a teensy bit easier on yourself. Sure, the housework will take ten times longer, but I dont think there is anything more rewarding than having two toddlers singing Mess in the bedroom what do I do? You help me and I help you while cleaning the lounge. If your kids are smart enough to realise that housework isnt actually that fun, then sticker reward charts are a great tool. Continued page 8

3) TURN OFF THE TV

Seems simple, right? But if you are regularly tuning in to watch the current season of The Block then you are wasting five hours a week of study time thats 50 hours over the semester! And thats only one show. Get yourself a recording device and reward yourself after exams have finished. Is it really a priority to see Alyssa and Lyssandra bickering RIGHT NOW, or can you wait a couple of months?

7) ASK FOR HELP

4) STUDY SMARTLY
When you have kids, time is of the essence. You never know when they are going to cut out a day sleep / start teething / be up all night because they are sick. I suggest that it is important to get ahead on your studies. Read those articles a week before you should have, and read ahead to know what your essay topics are. Have that highlighter out right from day one of semester. I also find it useful to google reviews on difficult articles in order to understand them more easily.

Some people dont get it. They just dont. You work, you study, you have kids, so what? They dont get that your 24 hour day is broken down into sleep time (if you are lucky), study time and family time to ensure that you can get every little thing done. So if it really is getting on top of you, dont be afraid to ask for help. Maybe the kids could play at a friends for a couple of hours so that you can get an essay finished. Nothing to feel guilty about, they will love it. If you are lucky enough to have family near you, Im sure grandma would be stoked about spoiling the grandkids for the day. If you need help, ask. Nobody is a superparent. The same goes with assignments. There is no harm in asking your lecturer for an extension if you feel that you need it.

8) REVISE YOUR STUDY LOAD

If full time study becomes too much, why not cut it down to three units this semester. What about two, or even one? Most degrees can be studied parttime, and to be honest an extra year or two isnt that long in the scheme of things. Before long little Johnny will be at school and you wont know what to do with yourself (hopefully get that six-figure job, right?)

5) WAKE UP EARLY
If my kids wake me up in the morning I feel like I am already behind the board. If I get up even half an hour before them I have a moment to myself, a moment of calm before two little tornadoes take over. Even if I dont do housework or study, this is a time to mentally prepare for the day ahead. I set myself goals and make sure I achieve them. There is also nothing good on TV at 6 am to distract me.

9) KNOW YOU ARENT ALONE

Being an off campus student can be really isolating. Being an off campus student with kids can be more so. Just remember - there are a lot more parents who are studying than you may think. Try to make a connection with them so you can form a support network, even if it is online! One place to check out is the new off campus facebook page: www.facebook.com/offcampusgippsland

6) USE THOSE LUNCHBREAKS

When youre a parent, life is go, go, go. You will paint and bake and read a story, all before 9am. At work its a bit different. There are mandatory breaks to make sure you dont go psycho and murder your boss. Use this time. Even if it is just to highlight some notes in a reading, do it. Simply re-reading an article or proofreading half an essay will make a difference at the end of the day. Your colleagues will call you a nerd, but accept this title proudly.

10) DONT BEAT YOURSELF UP

If it all goes awry, dont fret. If you didnt get the mark you wanted, learn from it. If you have to resubmit, then so be it. Instead of feeling down, gather your kids on your lap, give them a cuddle and think to yourself - this is what really matters. Alanah Andrews is a professional communications student and mother-of-two who is often called a nerd by her workmates.

NEW BEGINNINGS
by Karolina Stypa

CREATIVE WRITING

Stroke after stroke, arms begin to stiffen and tense. Adrenaline pumps through her. With every breath another glimpse, the light slowly dominating the dismal black sea. The intensity of the breeze forces the waves to crash against her porcelain skin. Shards of glass graze and nip at her face, from cheek to cheek. Persevering, she steers through the powerful sea gasping to reach the light. The waves spiral and rush towards her fueled by determination. Below, the seaweed leaps, grasps and wraps its tentacles around her paddling feet. The earth stubbornly attempts to reel her back into its grainy clutches but continues to be defeated. As the water begins to diminish, she rises like a phoenix from its soggy ashes. Her white, damp dress hangs heavily from her figure. Limber long-legs bend, waver and stamp through the frosty sea. Water ricochets from the shield around her, crashing into thin air. Gliding through the parted water the light reflects upon her upturned face. A smile creeps onto its smooth features, enhanced by the glowing night. Gingerly she strides over pebbles and shattered seashells covering the surface of the earth. The sharp corners leave imprints on the soles of her feet, yet she perseveres without a sound. For a moment she stops in her place, feet ever so slightly sinking into the wet sand. Theres a change in the air, not harsh but brisk. She welcomes the wind, its whiskers nipping at her bare skin. Eyes closed, she takes a deep breath before opening them to an incredible sight. Shades of blue, yellow and pink have hijacked the sky forbidding any clouds. Sun creeps up from beneath the horizon, like a meteor steadily claiming its place. Below her the golden, gritty sand is replaced with dusty red soil. Gritting her toes into the earth, her brown eyes search for life in the field in front of her. The greenery runs far into the distance until the few trees become speckles in the horizon. Only the sound of the light breeze can be heard ruffling against her dress, encouraging it to fly behind her like an elegant cape. She shows no fear of the great height nor the unfamiliar land. The ridges and markings in the rock beneath her reveal a story she wants to know. Suddenly she is interrupted by a deep, vibrating sound spiraling towards her like a gust of wind. Its hypnotic rhythm felt as if the cracks in the earth and rustle of nature were speaking to her. It made her tremble with excitement. Below her, masked figures painted in bright colours formed a ring around the base of the rock. Arms extended upright towards her, they welcomed her to their land. She looked behind her, as if so much time has past since she felt the wild ocean encapsulate her small figure. For the first time she sees something beautiful peeking through the terrain. It reminds her of the little girl who once ran over sand dunes in the hot summers air. With eyes closed and arms crossed over her chest, she finally lets go. A smile covers her face, from cheek to cheek, as she welcomes the new world awaiting her.

Karolina Stypa

A new breed of rescue dog

The dog traffic is heavy on the lawn of the Lost Dogs Home. The warm grass outside of the adoption pens is littered with wagging tails. There are almost as many volunteers at the Lost Dogs Home as there are dogs. The furry residents receive daily walks and long cuddles in the sun. Every dog is healthy, of sound temperament and ready to go home. Today, long time resident, Humphrey, has been placed on hold. It is not a guaranteed home, but it is official interest in the chocolate Labrador whose only vice is his excitable nature. Up to 2011 if we put an animal up for adoption and it wasnt adopted within 28 days, that animal would then have to be euthanized, which is ridiculous, says Elliot. Every life is valued at the shelter, says Elliott. All suitable dogs have the same stringent adoption process regardless of age or breed. The process ensures that each dog is placed in a home that is loving, suitable and permanent. Owners have to go through quite a rigorous interview with us, says Elliott. The shelter also introduced a Pet License test in March 2010. The online tool is designed to from Starting Over Dog Rescue. If they are surrendered to a pound, then they only have a certain amount of time.

11

Rescue organisations work differently from shelters in that all dogs are placed into temporary Foster homes until they are adopted. Dogs are de-sexed, vaccinated, wormed, micro-chipped and then assessed in a family environment. A lot of the carers are Foster failures because they end up adopting them, says Young, laughing.

If Humphrey was in a pound, he would most likely be dead

Fundraising Manager, Sharon Elliott, stands smiling down at the dog. She cannot help but share the news with volunteers as they pass her. Im still surprised at the amount of people that dont understand that they are just ordinary dogs, says Elliott, shaking her head. If Humphrey was in a pound, he would most likely be dead. Thanks to changes in adoption procedures, together with public education, healthy dogs like Humphrey now have bright futures. educate people on responsible pet ownership. Owners that complete the test are offered a discount off their adoption fee. Dog adoption fees in Australia can range from $200 to $450, depending on which organisation you adopt through. There are 567 rescue organisations on petrescue.com.au alone. The site is a digital hub that is striving to make adoption the first choice for all. Its growth is an indication that pets are no longer being viewed as disposable. We usually get the dogs from [pound] put to sleep lists, says Monique Young, a foster carer

Continued page 12

12

The dogs that are deemed suitable for adoption have their profiles placed online so that potential adoptees can browse. These once discarded animals are transformed into much desired rescue dogs. With no time restrictions, Starting Over Dog rescue has a 100 per cent adoption rate so far. Potential owners can expect a thorough suitability assessment when adopting through a rescue group. The procedure can include a lengthy application form, references, a phone interview, an initial meet and greet and a back yard inspection. The process is not without perks. Many organisations offer a cooling off period, access to a dog behaviouralist, ongoing support and a re-home policy for the lifetime of the dog. The once discarded dogs are shedding the negative stigmas previously attached to them. They are becoming something of value. They are becoming sought after companions and beloved family members. They are rescue dogs, and only the worthy need apply.
Tanya Bird is a Communications student and mother of two who aspires to be a freelance writer between school bells.

Karolina Stypa

14

Semester One Key Dates

Feb 24-28 March 3 March 14 March 31 April 18-25 April 28 May 30 O Week Semester 1 lectures commence Last date to add courses to Semester 1 enrolment without financial penalty Census date: Last date to drop courses from Semester 1 enroment without incuring a HECS/Fee debt Semester 1 lecture break Semester 1 lectures recommence Semester 1 lectures finish

June 2-6 Swot Vac June 9-27 Examination Period

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