IPP – Alex Tan

[Sean Connery voice on] Well hello there my fellow postgraduate, I would like you all to imagine this report is coming to you from an underwater resort in the Maldives where I am sipping something tropical and relishing in life after serving my term in 2019. Alas, I’m sure most of us have fought our own tough battles this year. It has certainly tested everyone’s ability to adapt and reimagine their daily routines. Before I go on I would like to say to you all, keep going, you’re doing great, and you’ve got so much more great things on the way.

When I handed over the PSA to Rahul and the 2020 committee, I remember being extremely excited to see where they would take the organization from here, and what great initiatives they would bring to the table. Every year the brave incoming PSA committee that takes over signs up for the massive challenge of representing the postgraduates of UWA, providing support on many different facets, and most importantly enriching the student experience. Dealing with a global pandemic however, is generally not part of the challenge. I must admit that being a domestic Australian student, I have been fortunate enough to be able to stay on track with my studies amidst all the chaos albeit after having to adapt a little. The 2020 committee has done a brilliant job with ensuring that UWA postgraduates are supported throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. I have no doubt the committee members have worked extremely hard to roll out support for students, and I’m sure they wish they could have done more, but who doesn’t? A big thank you to the 2020 committee both for everything visible and everything behindthe-scenes they have managed to accomplish. I hear there are even more great things yet to come.

Now with respect to all of you reading this, whether you’re a student, staff, or any other member of the UWA community, I would like to encourage and challenge all of you to not let this wild year deter your spirits. Work hard, enjoy your free time with you friends and loved ones, and make sure to block out time every day just for you to recharge…and kickback with a giant bowl of pasta (if you don’t crave pasta all the time like me then I am sincerely sorry that was completely unrelatable for you). Planning to have fun or relax is just as important as planning to work I reckon because yolo. Warning, the following is a bunch of philosophical spiels that I promise sounded good at the time of writing and I sincerely hope they motivate you all rather than force you to reach for a bucket.

Strive to go above and beyond your studies or your job, get involved with different communities, test your limits, and meet new people. The huge diversity of people with different backgrounds and insights connected to and within the UWA community is massive and there is so much to gain. Live in the ‘now’ and make every day count. Set your long-term goals, commit to a plan of attack and do it, but don’t keep stressing about getting there because it detracts from you enjoying the present. The future is so unpredictable as we have all seen and experienced this year so take every moment as it comes and live your best life.

To the 2020 PSA Committee and all the readers: Be hungry to better yourselves, be grateful for everything, be patient with each other and this year, be proud of yourself, keep up the good work, stay safe, and best wishes for you and all your loved ones.

Alexander Tan 2019 PSA President

P.S. I am not at the Maldives unfortunately.