by Shelile Gino ShelileThe Rhodent Dream is the sum of well-reviewed ideologies and social constructs intrinsically weaved together in a meticulous manner to create a desirable lifestyle that encourages getting sloshed, hammered, motherless, stoned and tanked.
Rhodes is a haven for the inebriated. An asylum for all who seek refuge from the stresses of academia in an environment where sobriety and discipline are detrimental to one's social standing.
In a world where Deans of students have awareness weeks about activities that they themselves do not engage in and where 'exceptionally happy' people are issued with subpoenas for having experienced euphoria beyond the legal boundaries, one cannot help but ponder the central balance between intoxication and qualification. Drink or Degree. One of the greatest philosophical debates of the past century (since 1906, the establishment of Rhodes).
Rhodes University, Grahamstown, is notorious for being the drinking capital of South African universities per ratio of students to the amount of alcohol consumption per living area. Mega-structures such as The Rat and Parrot and other established recreational facilities like Equilibrium, Friar Tuck's and Slip Stream Sports bar are partially to blame for this ethanol-induced pandemic.
Solution? Drink less.
As appealing as it is to develop acute-amnesia three times a week from going out, it is probably not as rewarding as getting a qualification. And then, who knows, perhaps you can finally start paying for your own drinks.
On average, the degrees of most students require a period of four years. Four fundamental and essential years of our lives which will determine whether or not we achieve the dreams we set out for ourselves. Future careers, potential families and the employment sector of the country is dependant on the decisions we make today.
ACADEMICS. That is the primary reason we are ALL here.
