Te Aka Tauira - Issue Eight 2022

Te Aka Tauira

Finishing up

Housekeeping > with Melissa Lama

Getting ready for the end of the year? Well there are few things to do first.

As she prepares to sign off for the year Otago University Students’ Association President Melissa Lama has a few tips to help students with some future-planning. Her first tip is that there is a special postal system in place through OUSA to help make sending belongings home easier and cheaper.

“It’s only about $16 for a box - students should take up that opportunity, it relieves some of the pressure on students to help get things home for the break.”

Drop for Good is also on this year.

People who have accumulated furniture, clothing and other items they don’t plan on taking with them when they leave at the end of the year can drop these off at the event.

Items donated are then sold off at O-Week the following year to help new students set up their flats.

“It’s a social good that OUSA prides itself on. It is for students, by students. It’s an affordable way for students to get rid of their things at the end of the year and help others set their flats up.”

But before you get to packing up, there might be a little something you have to get done first.

For more information on posting boxes home, exam support, Drop for Good and finding support, visit the OUSA HUB.

October News

This issue:

» Women in rugby matter

» Volunteers at Ronald McDonald House

» Pics of the month

» “It’s been a year of lessons”

» Ones to Watch: Daniel Cocker

» Study Tips

» Ones to Watch: Corey Symon

» Sportsperson of the Year

» Upcoming events

Cover image: Snow day on the Dunedin campus in early October

In other news:

» Celebrating diversity

» Joining forces against climate change

» Crazy academic journey

» Rowing with a side of Italian gelato

Women in rugby matter

She’s put in six years of study towards her law degree and has successfully advocated for better facilities for women in rugby. Now, Katie Hensman is ready to grab her career with both hands.

The Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Arts (Politics, Philosophy and Economics) student already has a job lined up for when she finishes her study at the end of the year.

The 23-year-old recently won the Outstanding Member of the University of Otago Community Award at the recent Blues and Golds Award. Early in her time at Otago Katie joined Alhambra Union Rugby Club and says she’s “never looked back”.

“I became a committee member for them three years ago. When I joined there was only myself and my coach who were women on the board, so I wanted to make things equal for women on the club. It didn’t seem right that the men’s premiere teams were getting fancy new kits and the women’s teams were getting hand-me-downs.”

Katie took it upon herself to go a step further for the women in the club and entered them in a Bunnings campaign to win an $30,000 upgrade to facilities.

“The bathrooms were pretty desperately in need of an update and catered towards men. I ended up winning the 30k for the club and took it to the committee who sent me off to make it happen.

As well as her role for the club Katie is Vice President of the Otago University Snow Sports Club. She says these outside activities are hugely important while studying and play an important role of finding your tribe and settling into life away from home.

Student leads volunteer effort at Ronald McDonald House

A placement on a paediatric ward inspired an Otago Physiotherapy student to lead a volunteer effort at Ronald McDonald House. Fourth year student Lily Montgomery worked closely with the families of paediatric patients at Christchurch Hospital and witnessed the stress they were under.

“The families go through so much and the last thing they want to worry about is figuring out what’s for dinner,” she says.

Lily wanted to make a practical difference so organised a team of fellow Year 4 Physiotherapy students as kitchen volunteers. The nine-strong group took their cooking skills to go into Ronald McDonald House, the ‘home-away-fromhome’ for families who travel to Christchurch for their child’s medical treatment, where they prepared hot evening meals for children and their whānau.

“I like that by volunteering at RMDH you can directly give back

to the families. We got a chance to meet some of the families and saw first-hand how much of an impact just a couple of hours of our time can make.

The group will continue to volunteer in the coming months, splitting into smaller groups and cooking over multiple nights. School of Physiotherapy Clinical Co-ordinator Heather Patterson says the volunteering “showcases the students’ community involvement and professional empathy for families under stress.”

“It matters that the girls in the future would get to use it and feel comfortable, safe and wanted.”

Brooke Davies was named this years Sportsperson of the Year at the 2022 Blues and Golds

OTSA and OKISA co-hosted

change awareness fundraiser early in the semester

Taking a moment to reflect on the year that has been is OUSA President Melissa Lama who is preparing to hand over the reins.

While the end of the year isn’t far off, she still has some housekeeping to do and a few reminders for students.

“There have been so many disruptions this year. We know the current climate has caused a range of experiences for students. COVID-19, the flu, all these government guidelines changes and even at University with the transition of online to campus learning.

“It’s been a year of lessons.”

Melissa says she personally has appreciated the open and honest feedback students have provided to OUSA and University of Otago over her year as President.

“I think we have a really strong, resilient cohort this year. I’m really proud of the collab with the University and OUSA this year.”

In her reflections she says as an undergraduate student she had moments where she believed the University didn’t care or understand her but in her role this year, that has changed.

“I thought I was just another number. When I reflect on being a student and how far I’ve come – I think that was an unfair judgement. The genuine care, in terms of the University checking in with OUSA before moving forward with things has been amazing.”

A few highlights this year, she says, are the welfare support and hardship fund which have been crucial this year as students navigate isolating in flats and managing financial pressure.

“The University has resourced us well to help with hardship funds and care packages.

“What also worked well this year was the open communication for

students to be able to give feedback on the quality of teaching, good and bad. What I like the moment is in the inclusivity the Uni is implementing, recognising cultures in decision making.

“I love the progress we are making.”

Melissa also has some advice for the next student president who is yet to be elected.

“I’d say bring your own flavour and just definitely be true to who you are. Be genuine and authentic and engaged with your students. Not one leader is the same but you have a good support system with OUSA. I definitely want to encourage them to be brave. The role is good for those who want to experience governance, leading student voice but also being the conduit between students and University.

Melissa says one perk this year has been seeing students who hadn’t previously considered themselves leaders to now be considering the possibility after seeing her work in the role.

Finally, in signing off Melissa has a few words for students as they head into exams.

“I do want to encourage students to speak up if they feel they aren’t prepared for exams or need more support either through OUSA or the University. I want to remind them they’re not alone.

“Grades and exams are a pressured time but it also doesn’t validate your existence. Its’ so important to go into this period with a positive and confident mind as well. If you’re not feeling confident or prepared, speak up - to your dept or to OUSA.”

Keep up to date with OUSA as a new President is elected and to find support by following them on Facebook or check out their website

Melissa Lama says “it’s been a year of lessons”

Ones to Watch: Daniel

As Bachelor of Science (Zoology and Māori Studies) student Daniel Cocker’s time at Otago draws to an end, he’s preparing to embark on another exciting adventure.

“I’m starting a job with the Department of Conservation (DOC) on Stewart Island/Rakiura a few days after my final exam.”

“I’ll be joining the Dotterel team – nest monitoring, bird counts and pest control. The job means I’ll be spending between five and ten days at a time in the bush which is going to be a change from the Dunners lifestyle.”

While preparing for his new role, Daniel has been raising awareness for the critically endangered Southern New Zealand Dotterel (Tūturiwhatu). To help raise awareness he has been campaigning the Dotterel in ‘Bird of the Year’.

“They now only breed on the mountain tops of Rakiura in the summer and feed on some estuaries/beaches in Southland during the winter but are being wiped out be feral cats. The Southern dotterels are not well known about in NZ and get almost no media attention.

“Most people only know of the Northern NZ dotterels who breed on beaches up in the North Island and have a population of well over 2000 and get a lot of media attention.”

There is one other important factor which has fuelled Daniel’s drive to complete his degree.

“University was often not something I considered. We never thought I would be able to afford it. My grandfather paid for my accommodation and supported me in getting here. He passed away last year and I’m sad he won’t be here to see me graduate. He’s a big part of why I’m at Otago and I’m trying to make him proud.”

STUDY TIPS FOR NEWBIES

October Exam Tips Holistic planning

Exams can be stressful, but it’s completely possible to manage the stress brought on by exams if you use different strategies. Manage your stress - Break your study down into manageable chunks and start working through it at the rate you planned.

Take the pressure off - Deal with pressure and expectations by realistically assessing how you think you’ll go and working to do the best you can.

Do it together - There are other people studying for the same exam, and they probably don’t like having to lock themselves away to study any more than you do.

Go easy on the substances - Any substance you think will help you study is actually a short-term fix that’ll probably make you feel much worse and cause you to underperform later.

Get enough sleep, eat good food and keep movingMake sure you’re stopping to eat regular meals and try to set aside 30 minutes a day to do some exercise, even if it’s just going for a walk.

Check out more tips from student health on looking after yourself in the lead up to exams.

Need Support?

Studying, especially in the lead-up to exams, can be challenging and it is important to look after yourself. The University offers a range of student support services which can help you.

Ones to Watch: Corey

Nominated for a Blues award recognising his achievements in fencing is a medical student with one busy schedule. Third-year student Corey Symon has experienced his fair share of challenges including COVID-19 disruptions but none of them have stopped him from working hard on his study and sporting goals.

Being born with one hand has not been an obstacle for Corey. In fact he laughs as reflects on the fact fencing only requires one hand.

“My mum was a fencer and she got me and my brother into it when we were younger too.”

Before the pandemic, the 20-year-old went to Sydney to represent New Zealand in the National Under17s Tournament.

“I also have the National Under20s coming up later this year and the Oceanic Seniors in mid-October.”

These he does on top of what is not an easy course of study. With three years left to go on his undergraduate studies there is still plenty left to learn.

“I like the social aspect of study. Being in a tight-knit medschool class, you get to know each other pretty well. I quite like that side of it.”

As well as studying and fencing, Corey has been codirecting Med Revue 2022 and is Vice President Administrative of the Otago University Medical School Association.

“It’s important you make time to do those things you enjoy while you’re studying and find the balance. It’s nice to have extra-curriculars so you’re not solely focussed on academics.”

Despite the trickiness of navigating study online, the Napier-born student is half-way through his study and excited to see where his future goes. He’s keeping an open mind as to where Medical School might take him and has plans to continue fencing along the way.

Sportsperson of the Year

Defending a national title, competing in Portugal and studying full-time is just the status quo for a student with a bright future.

Bachelor of Science (Sport and Exercise, Human Nutrition) student Brooke Davies was recently named 2022 Sportsperson of the Year at the Blues and Golds Awards. It’s just one of many exciting achievements she has gathered over time as an aerobic gymnast.

The 20-year-old, who is originally from Auckland, says it influenced her decision to study at Otago.

“I loved the idea of being in the South Island to experience the local lifestyle and take advantage of the amazing opportunities on offer such as and amazing range of hiking trails. I also received an Otago Performance Scholarship which absolutely was a bonus.”

Brooke started her journey with aerobic gymnastics at age five and enjoys the on-going growth it brings.

Earlier this year Brooke travelled to Portugal to compete in the aerobic gymnastics World Championships, after which she completed her Semester 1 exams and then defended her title at the national championships in Invercargill.

“I’m definitely a believer of balance in life. It depends on the season, what’s happening with exams and where I’m at with training, but balance is so important to have”

She says this belief system carries over into her study life quite well.

“During exam season, I try to maintain a good balance of training between aerobics, hiking and the gym. I find exercising in my study breaks helps me focus when I turn my attention to study.”

In the future Brooke would like to continue the works she does helping other athletes complete their national aerobic coaching certification and eventually work in highperformance sport.

She says while it’s a hard field to get into, she’s still working towards it and is keeping an open mind for what the future has in store.

KEY DATES & EVENTS