28 Days Later (2002)

When 28 Days Later was released, it literally popularised the entire concept of zombies being able to run. It kickstarted the whole zombie craze in 2000’s pop culture, making it our first choice for 9 iconic apocalyptic movies that you must watch. This post-apocalyptic flick stars a young Cillian Murphy (of Peaky Blinders fame) as Jim, a patient who awakens from a coma 28 days after the ‘Rage’ virus has overtaken the world. Indeed, this movie is set only in Britain as opposed to the entire world, but the non-existent London society that opens the film does a fine job of showing us the eventual worldwide battle for survival. The allegorical nature is hard to miss – makes you wonder, really, if humans are just as evil as their monstrous counterparts.

Unfortunately, the movie spawned a sequel (28 Weeks Later) which proved to be somewhat less satisfying to audiences and critics.

Fun fact: The producers actually managed to close down part of London to make the film.

Children of Men (2006)

The future looks grim. It’s the year 2027. The world is on the brink of extinction due to mass infertility. No child has been born in 18 years.

Theo (Clive Owen) is a white-collar worker who finds himself fraught with the task of smuggling a refugee woman, who he discovers is pregnant, out of the now barely functioning UK. The original book the movie was based on caused an uproar when it was released in 1992, partly due to this startling premise. Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuarón’s take is no different: while it was critically acclaimed, it didn’t do so hot at the box office. Children of Men is loaded with unflinching action and one of the most memorable epic tracking shots in film history (over 7 minutes long)!

What initially seems to be a slow-burning thriller emerges to become a powerful and frighteningly realistic social commentary.

Fun fact: The author of the novel (P.D. James) loved the film so much he made a cameo in the beginning.

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

If 28 Days Later kickstarted the new wave of zombie popularity, then Edgar Wright’s Shaun of the Dead only helped the virus spread, so to speak. It’s like your standard buddy comedy, only with better music and more razor-sharp British wit.

In this romantic-zombie-comedy (rom-zom-com, if you will), Londoner Shaun (Simon Pegg) gets dumped by his girlfriend and plans to take her back – however, his plans are interrupted when a zombie outbreak occurs. Shaun, along with his deadbeat pal Ed (Nick Frost) must then embark on a mission to protect his family and friends. I won’t say more than this, but the funniest bit has to be the life-or-death music review scene, where Shaun and Ed decide which records should be saved or used to fight off hungry zombies. The movie also features not one, but two Queen songs. ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ is unquestionably the superior record, but ‘You’re My Best Friend’ makes for a wonderful ending track. Shaun of the Dead is the first of three films that make up Edgar Wright’s Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, followed by Hot Fuzz and The World’s End.

Fun fact: Quentin Tarantino named this as one of the top 20 movies made since 1992.

Zombieland (2009)

Welp, it’s the end of the world, so you may as well chow down on a truckload of Twinkies. That’s how it goes in Zombieland — where your town is your name, where you must always beware of the bathroom, and where you must never, ever, doubt double-tapping a zombie when you’ve got one down.

Those are the rules bestowed upon you, faithful watcher, by a paranoid zombie-hunting geek known as Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg). Don’t be fooled though, as much of the movie plays out like a traditional road trip: a mistrusting group of apocalypse survivors join forces, bond with each other along the way, and come to understand what they hope to get out of the less-than-ideal situation. Of course, the occasional zombie horde shows up but they’re more annoyances than actual obstacles at that point.

And out of the plethora of zombie movies, only one stars Bill Murray (as Bill Murray). IMO, he has the greatest line in the film – I’m not going to reveal it, but it’s got something to do with Garfield.

Fun fact: During filming, Woody Harrelson was arrested for marijuana possession, which delayed shooting for a day.

Contagion (2011)

Currently, Contagion is the most watched movie on HBO Now, and similarly on other streaming platforms it has shot up to the top of the charts. What’s more is that the movie’s actors have also recently made short video PSAs about preventing the spread of the coronavirus engulfing the world right now.

So it’s no surprise that 2011’s eerily prophetic viral pandemic movie from director Stephen Soderbergh plays out more like a dramatic re-enactment than science fiction. But what makes it so dramatic is that it’s not. ‘MEV-1’ isn’t a virus that wipes out 99% of the world’s population. There’s no bleeding from the eyes, no emotional words before shaky last breaths, no desire to eat brains. It’s also a smart thriller which does a good job of weaving between how diseases spread and the difficulty in finding a cure while giving attention to how malicious theories and authorities can influence how people respond.

As a bonus, the movie illustrates some good health advice: cover your mouth when coughing, don’t touch your face in public, wash your hands often, etc (and most importantly, that homeopathic remedies are a scam). Ring a bell?

Fun fact: The virus in the film was created by Dr. Ian Lipkin, who based it on the Nipah virus from Malaysia in the late 90s, which spread from pigs to farmers.

A Quiet Place (2018)

Silence. Shhhh. Not a word. That’s what’s required to survive in this unconventional world, where a family is trying to lead a conventional life. Because if you make a sound above a whisper, that could spell death. A Quiet Place doesn’t waste time on trying to build context. We can see pretty early on that Earth has been taken over by sightless aliens who possess an acute sense of hearing and thick, armoured skin. The family at its centre does well for themselves, communicating in sign language, implementing a coloured-light warning system, building sound-proof rooms and stockpiling enough tools for any end-of-the-world scenario. However, matters become more complicated as the pregnant mother approaches her due date (cause babies are kind of noisy, if you didn’t know).

Yeah, the movie is just as tense as it sounds. The monster looms closer, we hold our breath. The protagonist’s heart beats faster, our hearts beat faster. The suspense makes it a perfect movie to place in my list of 9 iconic apocalyptic movies that you must watch. It’s as much about the family as it is the jump scares. Who needs zombies when you have this?

Fun fact: The filmmakers purchased 20 tons of corn and hired local farmers to grow it for the film.

I Am Legend (2007)

If you want to boil it down to simple terms, I Am Legend is sort of like the American version of 28 Days Later. Loosely based on Richard Matheson’s 1954 novel of the same name, the movie centres on virologist Robert Neville (Will Smith), the last survivor in Manhattan, who works to create a cure after a ‘vampire’ plague has infected nearly all of the human race. And by loosely based, I mean they only share the same name. The movie chose to deviate from the book’s truly legendary ending with one of its own (excuse the pun).

It’s for this reason that most people will have a strong opinion on the movie, and Will Smith’s performance (memey as it may be), but there’s no denying how visually impressive the first half of the film is. The Fresh Prince’s one-man-show as a horribly lonely survivor is a career highlight. Mostly it’s just Neville and his dog hopelessly wandering around New York’s empty streets trying to find any sign of human life. It really allows us to feel his isolation – something that should be very familiar to all of us by now.

Fun fact: Will Smith tried to adopt Abbey, the dog, when filming was finished, but the dog’s trainer didn’t want to give her up.

The World’s End (2013)

The World’s End represents the conclusion to the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy. It’s probably the least funny of the three, but then again that’s comparing it to two very entertaining masterpieces. In this movie, a group of five childhood friends, now middle-aged men, reunite to finish an epic pub crawl they failed to complete in high school, after the insistence of good-for-nothing man-child Gary (Simon Pegg). There are touching moments where these five individuals are fleshed out and some poignant discussion on adults hiding their insecurities behind professional success. Seems like a typical nostalgic drama, right?

Nope! Midway through the movie there’s a reveal…which means a complete 180 genre switch. Just as they’re about to call it a day, the gang notices that something feels off about the pubs. Really off. It soon comes to their realisation that they have to grapple with way more than they signed up for – that is, saving mankind from disaster. Because nothing says apocalypse quite like chugging 12 pints of beer over one night.

The trilogy could definitely be a movie marathon and plays perfectly into our 9 iconic apocalyptic movies that you must watch.

Fun fact: There’s a company that offers to do The Crawl with the pubs that were actually used in the film in Hertfordshire.

Snowpiercer (2013)

This is a rare, genre-busting kind of film. The closest classification would be something along the lines of ‘steampunk apocalypse’, but even that doesn’t do it justice. In 2014, a failed experiment to eradicate global warming turns the planet into a frozen wasteland. It’s now the 2030’s, and the last remnants of humanity live divided on a speeding train powered by a perpetual motion engine, the Snowpiercer. You’ll find Chris Evans as Curtis (the polar opposite of Captain America), a passenger made to lead the persecuted ‘lower caste’ back car in a rebellion to disrupt the class divide and topple an oppressive regime not unlike that of a dictatorship. In simpler terms, he’s been there 15 years too long and he’s mad. As hell.

Snowpiercer is the first English-language film from South Korean director Bong Joon-ho (Parasite, The Host). No doubt it’s a dark and violent tale. It tackles issues of class and liberty, and in a way, it reminds us not to take freedom for granted. Because once you board the train, you never really leave.

Fun fact: The ‘cockroach’ protein block in the film was actually made up of seaweed, sugar, and gelatin. Jamie Bell hated it, but Tilda Swinton liked it.

There you have it, our 9 iconic apocalyptic movies that you must watch. Have any other apocalypse favourites? Let us know what you think down below!

As we continue to adjust to the ‘new norm’, coronavirus is the lens we’re looking through. In times of isolation, it can be easy to forget that there are a WEALTH of resources, people willing to help, to connect, and to guide you through this uncertain period.

That’s why i’ve compiled a COVID-19 resource megathread. Below is a list of ALL the uni-specific COVID-19 related links and resources that students can use! For general wellbeing advice, check out this post.

University of Auckland

• UOA Master Update Site: UoA regularly updates on the virus and how it’s affecting the university, it will update what that means for your studies in the link.
• Coronavirus student support page: Range of resources and information from financial hardship advice to study plan guides.

Auckland University of Technology

• AUT Master Update Site: AUT students can access a centralised page for COVID-19 that links up ALL the useful information and advice for students. This includes vice chancellor announcements and their R U OK online service.
• AUT App: Keeps you up-to-date with guidance on self-care, wellbeing, and how you can stay connected during this time.

University of Waikato

• UoW Master Update Site: Waikato uni has the hands down most easy-to-navigate page. Set up in a FAQ style, it provides in-depth information about specific areas of university life.
• Coronavirus questions and answers sheet in Mandarin
• General information: For staff, students, parents, and supporters of UoW.

Massey University

• Massey Master Update Site: Information about study changes, studying online, and how to access student services. Regular updates also via Steam.
• A new grant to assist students suffering hardship due to the impact of COVID-19 has been announced. For more details visit the MUSA website.

Victoria University of Wellington

• VuW Master Update Site: Guidance on the outbreak’s impact on university study and how to keep yourself and others safe.
• Information for thesis students: Advice on accessing facilities, extensions, and submission for graduates.
• International student advice: For international students and those affected by travel restrictions. Advice on fees, visas, and student accommodation.

University of Canterbury

• Canterbury Master Update Site: COVID-19 updates including key contact information and FAQ.
• Insider’s Guide: The UC student blog has some great tips and ideas on connecting and staying well during the crisis.

University of Otago

• Otago Master Update Site: A very comprehensive page listing information for all kinds of students and links to student health services.
• Postponements and cancellations: Handy web page showing events that have been currently cancelled/postponed or are now in digital formats.

Further info + resources

• WHO
• Ministry of Health
• Education NZ
• International SOS

At Niesh, we heavily value taking care of your mind, body and soul. Above are some great resources that students can utilise. If you know a friend that is struggling, we strongly encourage you to share this knowledge with them.

In this world, there are 3 types of streamers:

1. Google searches ‘free ways to watch TV shows online’. Bonus points for ‘1080p’. Options are either 30 second clips, or illegal sites with a 99% chance of getting a virus.
2. Boujee individuals subscribed to a legal streaming site – may have used a combo plan to score some free Netflix (this article may not be for you).
3. Leeches off the accounts of friends and family.

Regardless of which type you are, I’m here to show you ALL the legal streaming sites to catch your next TV show or film.

Psst, if you’re a University student, take a look at the exclusive FREE streaming sites with your University here: eTV

GUIDE TO FREE MOVIES + TV ON THE WEB (COMPLETELY LEGAL)

Plex

Plex is a media server allowing you to manage your own collection of TV shows on your computer, tablet, or phone. In 2019 the company launched its own free, ad-supported streaming service with a collection of movies from big names in showbiz like MGM and Warner Bros. But what makes this service stand out from the rest is that it has a large selection of podcasts and web series available to watch as well.

Plex is working on growing their international catalogue and churn out updates regularly. So although it may not have the widest range of movies and TV shows, there are plenty of hidden indie gems and festival favourites to keep you entertained. All you need is a free Plex account and you’re good to go!

Highlights: Trevor Noah: You Laugh But It’s True, Frequencies, Django, Thoughty², The Red Balloon

TVNZ OnDemand

TVNZ OnDemand pulls together a collection of shows and movies from the channels TVNZ 1, TVNZ 2 and Duke into one convenient catch-up service, making it easier than ever to access your favourite shows and movies! TVNZ OnDemand offers most of what you usually watch on their free-to-air counterparts, so you’ll find a nice mix of sports, news, TV series and movies ready to be viewed.

There’s a great balance between fresh international content and Kiwi classics(looking at you, Shorty Street). Behind-the-scenes extras and specials are also a big plus, and helps the service stand out from others!

Highlights: Friends, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Wellington Paranormal, Grey’s Anatomy, Catch-22

Kanopy

‘Everyone from film scholars to casual viewers will discover remarkable and enriching films on Kanopy’

Kanopy is an international educational platform and provides a catalogue of films and documentaries through partnerships with over 4,000 universities and 200 libraries worldwide. Its collection has a heavy focus on independent, arthouse movies and docos. It even claims to have access to the more recent films from famous production house A24!

Kanopy has a great depth of content including NZ film classics, and basically everyone with a library card (or university email) can use it for free! Simply log in with your library/uni membership and enjoy the diverse selection of content with new titles added every month. Oh, and did I mention it’s ad-free?

Highlights: The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Small Apartments, Melancholia, Boy, Lion

Tubi TV

Tubi TV hosts quite a broad selection of content. Here, you can find everything from popular A-list flicks to filler movies that you’re unlikely to have ever heard of. It’s available for free on a variety of devices like smart TVs, Android, iOS, Playstation, Apple TV etc.

Clever categories such as ‘Not on Netflix’ and ‘Highly Rated on Rotten Tomatoes’ makes it easy to discover the kind of quality content you’re looking for. A few more pros: the dark theme is very aesthetically pleasing (I mean…when isn’t it?) and the media player is a breeze to handle. You don’t need to create an account to view content, but if you do, you can continue watchingwhere you left off (across devices) and receive personalised recommendations based on your viewing habits.

Highlights: Fist of Fury, Time Lapse, The Hurt Locker, Suspiria, We Need to Talk About Kevin, Yu-Gi-Oh!

ThreeNow

Did you know that Three was launched in 1989 as NZ’s first privately-owned channel? Well, it sure has come a long way since then, because you can now watch their shows online from the free-to-air Three and ThreeLife channels (and sister channel Bravo) on the ThreeNow platform. It’s perfect for anyone who loves to binge reality TV and comedy shows, although you do have to put up with a couple of ads every now and then. Best of all, you don’t even need to sign up to ThreeNow to stream content!

Similarly to TVNZ OnDemand, shows are available to watch for a specific period (ranging from a couple of weeks to a month), but in some cases international content can be watched before the local free-to-air broadcast.

Highlights: The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Love Island, NCIS, Flirty Dancing, The Graham Norton Show

AnimeLab

AnimeLab is an Australian-based platform dedicated to streaming anime shows and fast-tracked ‘simulcasts’ direct from Japan. It currently features a diverse range of over 620 shows and movies in a variety of genres (including something called reverse harem…)

AnimeLab offers both a free (basic) and premium option. With the free option, there are ads, simulcasts are delayed one week, and video quality is capped at SD, i.e. 480p. A small price to pay for a service with a hell of a lot to choose from, not to mention the dual-language option making a large number of English audio dubs and subs available.

 Highlights: Attack on Titan, Naruto Shippuden, Dragon Ball Super, My Hero Academia, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, One Punch Man

So there you go – look hard enough, and you’ll find a pretty decent selection of movies and TV shows to watch for free. Go grab some popcorn and get ready to binge!

Whether you’re an ex-Year 13 fresh out of high school or a senior citizen who’s a seasoned pro at university life, you’re no doubt eager to upgrade your living area with some much-needed comforts. Fortunately, with all the incredible technology available to us in 2020, even the drabbest area can be turned into a functional and stylish space.

Check out these 11 incredible gadgets that will help you make the most of your living space (+ the cheaper alternatives).

1. Bose QuietComfort 35 II Headphones ($498)

When you’re living away from home, there are all sorts of noises you want to block out. Whether you’re trying to get Really Important Stuff done in a public library, at Uni or in your own room, a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones can make a big difference.

But often, finding a quiet place can be harder than you think. I mean, universities are supposed to be social after all, and that’s great! Until you realize you’ve got a 2,000-word essay due tomorrow that you’re a little lot behind on (feels…).

Not only are Bose’s QuietComfort 35 II headphones ultra comfy, they’ve got loads of little smart controls and connectivity features which make them even better, and worth the hefty price tag imo.

 Get it here

Alternatively, try: Anker Soundcore Life Q20 ($94)

2. TaoTronics Metal LED Desk Lamp ($110)

A good, sturdy desk lamp is a necessity for late night work and study sessions. And this desk lamp by TaoTronics does more than just shine a light on your studies. 

1. It’s small and doesn’t get in the way, so you can throw around your papers as much as you like.
2. It has a tough metal frame, so you can throw around your papers as much as you like.
3. It offers six different brightness levels, so you can thr adjust the ambience to your roommate’s level of comfort. Cos you know, you don’t want to hurt the roomie relationships so early on.

You’d be hard-pressed to find another desk lamp that does what this one can, all with a minimalist aesthetic!

 Get it here

Alternatively, try: TW Lighting IVY LED Desk Lamp ($27)

3. Steamfast SF-717 Mini Steam Iron ($36)

We don’t often have room for a full ironing board + iron set, and even if there was, not many of us would have the time or patience to use it. Hell, I know I wouldn’t.

So keep your clothes looking their best with what may be a serious contender for the world’s smallest steaming iron, the Steamfast SF-717 Mini. But don’t let that fool you, because its actually quite a suitable alternative to the real, bigger thing. It’s compact, travel-friendly and takes only a minute to heat up!

Go on then, blast hot steam at your clothes. You may be able to remove wrinkles that are deeper and more stubborn than the ones your great-great-grandma has.

Get it here

4. Choetech Wireless Charger ($20)

Sometimes the most essential gadgets are the ones that seem the simplest. You know, when it’s super late, you’ve just gotten home from a crazy night out and you really can’t think of anything better than just crashing on the sofa, plugging in your phone can seem like a chore (ikr, first world problems). 

A wireless charger solves that problem! Charging will start pretty much as soon as the phone makes contact with the pad – you don’t even need to be that accurate. This particular wireless charger from Choetech is dirt cheap and works with both Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy models, as well as many other Qi-protocol compatible devices. It can even charge a Blackberry, that is, if they exist anymore?

So set one up beside your bed, get another one for the kitchen, and trust me, you’ll be very grateful for it.

 Get it here

5. Itaki Pro Portable Electric Lunchbox ($50)

A portable electric lunchbox, as you will quickly learn, is a hungry uni student’s best friend. Why? Because you can cook an incredible variety of meals inside it just by following some basic instructions, dumping some ingredients inside, and switching it on.

It’s ideal for a no-fuss, fix-and-forget meal that may resemble something your mum might make back at home. It’s bento-style as well, so plenty of room for veggies, meats, rice, side dishes, whatever!

Whether you want to cook from scratch or just throw together something half-decent from last night’s leftovers, the Itaki Pro electric lunchbox can do it whenever and wherever you want (well, anywhere with a power outlet, at least).

I wouldn’t be surprised if one of you took this to a lecture or something.

 Get it here

6. AdirChef Grab N’ Go Personal Coffee Maker ($35)

Calling all coffee lovers! Never pay $5 for a cup of coffee again with AdirChef’s personal coffee maker. If you’re the kind of person who can’t function without their daily dose of caffeine, this one’s for you. 

Not only is this coffee maker practical but also eco-friendly as it’s fitted with a permanent filter, eliminating the need for paper filters. And once the cup is full, the coffee maker automatically shuts off to save power. All of which is of course very important in this day and age! 

But that’s not all: it also comes with a travel mug – a godsend for those 8ams that you signed up for because you wanted to give yourself the illusion of productivity.

 Get it here

7. AmazonBasics Security Safe Box ($94)

Ladies, we’ve all been there – stashing things into your bra can seem like the only safe way to hold onto your valuables in a world full of pickpockets (not to mention all those drunken nights). It doesn’t help that 99% of dresses don’t have pockets either!

Even if you trust your fellow roommates or your building has a prison-like security system, an electronic safe will give you that much-needed peace of mind when you’re away from your room. Keep your passports, documents, extra cash, and other valuables tucked away securely so you don’t ever have to worry that someone is gonna steal your precious things.

 Get it here

Alternatively, try: Yuanshikj Electronic Deluxe Digital Safe Box ($44)

8. Eufy RoboVac 11S ($268)

Halls and apartments are known for many things, but cleanliness and hygiene probably aren’t at the top of that list.

Who needs to vacuum with their own two hands when your own robot can ‘touch-up’ vacuum for you, and that too without using any hands. Eufy’s RoboVac will keep your floors clean from lolly wrappers, stray crumbs, eraser rubbings and all the other junk that accumulates over the course of a stressful uni week.

Start a cleaning session by pressing the button on the top, or alternatively program it to do a daily sweep while you and your roommates are getting GongCha in a lecture. Just make sure you don’t set it to start its cleaning cycle remotely unless you know for a fact that there’s no vomit on the floor…..eugh.

 Get it here

Alternatively, try: ILIFE V3s Pro Robot Vacuum ($200)

9. AstroAI Mini Fridge ($65)

Keep a few cold drinks and snacks on hand with a personal mini fridge from AstroAI. This pint-sized refrigerator fits easily on a desk or drawer, so it’s handy in cramped rooms where every inch of precious space counts. And the same goes for transporting it outside the home, where it claims to stay cool for several hours after it has been turned off.

Perhaps you’d like to keep your favorite snacks stashed near your bed – you know, for easy access during those late-night study sessions. Or perhaps you’d like to keep your beauty essentials in tip-top condition (after all, a skincare routine isn’t something to be taken lightly!)

Get it here

10. Anko Egg Cooker ($19)

Let’s be real for a minute. You’re a uni student – that means you don’t want to step outside of your room at 6am in the morning just so you can grab some sub-par cuisine. But we all know that brekkie is the most important meal of the day, so surely something can be done to fuel your body with some better, healthier food.

Fear not! Egg cooker to the rescue. This particular one can hold up to six eggs and cooks soft, medium or hard boiled eggs, whichever you like! No need to muck around with a saucepan or pot, just throw some eggs and water in and boil to your liking for a quick protein-rich snack. (On second thought, probably don’t throw them).

Get it here

11. Tile Mate ($25)

Hmm. You know you’ve thrown the keys in your room somewhere…but where exactly? If you’re the kind of person always losing stuff everywhere (hello, it me), then this little device would be nothing short of a lifesaver.

Attach the Tile Mate keyring to your oft-lost-item of choice, and you can use the app to locate it if when you lose it. And these things are loud too. If your Tile is anywhere near when you activate the sound, there is no way you’re going to miss the sound, unless you’re quite literally passed out or in Stage 99 deep-sleep mode.

Perhaps the best feature of all, if you’ve got your keys (finally) but can’t find your phone, hitting the button on the Tile Mate keyring will make your phone ring even when it’s on silent (when is it not, tho?). Amazing!

Get it here

Did we miss anything? Good luck with 2020 as we head into the beginning of Semester 1.

The unstoppable social media sensation has only grown upwards in popularity (and, let’s be honest, the quality of memes) this year, as millions more people continue to join the platform to create infinitely hilarious and quirky content.

So, I think it’s safe to say that 2019 has definitely been the biggest year for TikTok so far. Here’s a look back at the best of TikTok in 2019.

10. VSCO Mom Reese Witherspoon

Not only have totally ordinary teens and younger ‘zoomers’ adopted the social media platform and broken the norms of creativity, a handful of well-known celebrities (for example, Will Smith and Mariah Carey) jumped on the TikTok bandwagon this year too.

Among them is silver-screen-cutie Reese Witherspoon, who made her first video on TikTok and gave herself the honorary title of ‘VSCO mom’, by dancing with Hydroflasks and scrunchies to the tune of Mr. Sandman. *Insert Steve Buscemi fellow kids meme here*

What an absolute madwoman.

9. Yee Haw Challenge

Now, if you’ve ever been on TikTok, you’ll know that music is a huuuuge part of what makes the whole idea tick (pun totally intended). With Lil Nas X’s song ‘Old Town Road’ we really got to see how the song came to break so many records (and so many eardrums).

Earlier this year, the ‘Yee Haw Challenge’ was to thank for the song’s astronomical rise to the top of the charts. Lil Nas himself stated in an interview with Time magazine:

“Tiktok really boosted the song after it was getting to the point that it was almost stagnant.”

This particular video has a cat drinking ‘yee yee juice’ and turning into a cow-kitty and really, you can’t get much better than that.

8. Kombucha Girl

22-year old Brittany Tomlinson, aka Kombucha Girl was inspired by a Youtube video to try the fizzy fermented beverage and decided to document her facial rollercoaster journey on TikTok for all of us to enjoy. 

She begins with a tentative first sip, then a pause to digest what she has just done to herself, quickly followed by disgust. But wait! Now it actually tastes alrig- yeah, NOPE. Unless…? 

The video has proved #relatable to many a person and has thus spawned countless parodies and memes on every corner of the internet. One thing remains true: kombucha “really smells like a public restroom.”

7. Peppa Pig Memes

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The breakout star of the year has to be… Peppa Pig. The beloved children’s cartoon icon has unexpectedly turned into a widely-memed legend, even before invading TikTok. 

More specifically, Peppa Pig figures appear in a series of videos where people ‘discover’ Peppa in random places and ask, ‘Peppa, what are you doing in my [said random place]?’ Supposedly, this trend started when TikTok user @beasinthetrap bit into a chocolate egg and found a tiny Peppa figure. 

Videos with the hashtag #PeppaPig have been viewed over 280 million times on TikTok, and if that doesn’t say something about the state of the internet, I don’t know what does.

6. The Git Up

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Following in the footsteps of Lil Nas X and the yee-haw agenda, American singer-songwriter Blanco Brown is the inspiration behind the viral TikTok ‘Git Up’ dance and, honestly, it’s iconic. Brown uploaded a video of himself performing a simple line dance to his own song, and it blew up from there.

Dancers are directed to step along to the instructions in the chorus:

Go’n and do the two-step then cowboy boogieGrab your sweetheart and spin out with ’emDo the hoedown and get into it (woo-hoo-hoo)

This particular version by British teenager @harveybass might just be the smoothest, most effortless version out there. I mean, he did get suspended for it, but was it worth it? (Hint: yes). And now he’s in the official music video for the song. Icon.

5. “Level Up” in Public

CIARA’s song ‘Level Up’ has inspired yet another TikTok dance craze. It literally took so much of my strength not to crack up watching this video in the library. And not so much from user @QPark’s dancing and singing, but more so at the looks of sheer confusion from half the people behind him and pure amusement from the other half.

As they say, dance like nobody’s watching.

It’s quite amazing to see that he actually got most of the moves down – the guy can twerk, ya know. He’s also got an insane amount of confidence to be doing that in public too. Respect.

4. Problematic TV Show Glee

Hey, remember when Glee was actually good? When, at the height of it’s popularity, everyone was either rambling non-stop about it or trying to avoid hearing the cursed word itself? It’s hard to believe that a show with such an amazing pilot episode  turned out to be such a disappointment after the first dozen episodes. 

Part of that is due to the absolute stupidity of the things that were happening in the plot. Yes, Sue somehow marries herself, and Jane Lynch cosplays as Nicki Minaj.

But nothing says problematic like making a wheelchair bound kid dive headfirst into a pool. WTF Glee?

“He can’t swim! HE CAN’T SWIM!”

3. Here’s the Tea

In this clip, 18-year-old Sammie Lewis sticks a straw into a giant Starbucks tea, takes a huge slurp, and then begins to tap on the camera, before uttering the famous words:

‘Here’s [tap tap] the motherf**king [tap tap] tea.’

Lewis discusses whatever’s on her mind, i.e. the tea. She proceeds to launch into a ‘story-time’ monologue critiquing people who wear glasses but don’t actually need them. Since this video, other TikTok users have latched onto the elaborate intro and made their own spinoffs; others have replaced her famous tapping acrylic nails with permanent markers, uncooked spaghetti, plastic straws, and even bananas!

2. Dancing to Voicemails

What’s the best way to get over your ex? Dance interpretively over their voicemails, of course! This has become a trend on TikTok this year, with young women adding some much-needed humour to the post-breakup process.

TikTok user @trapmoneybella went viral after her video ‘Day one of dancing to voicemails from my cheating ex boyfriend’ was shared on Twitter. Said ex can be heard crying and pleading with her to speak to him – you know the drill. 

‘I’m telling you the truth! I’m telling you all this and you still don’t trust me. I’m sorry I went off on you…’

Blah blah blah. Bella is throwing some sick moves, and frankly, she doesn’t really care about you anymore bro.

1. VSCO Girl Memes

How can you spot a VSCO girl? Well, if she ties her hair up with a scrunchie, obsesses over stickers (stuck on to her MacBook or water bottle Hydroflask), owns a Fjällräven backpack, and reminds you every minute about saving the turtles, you can be sure you’ve got yourself a VSCO girl.

I can’t pinpoint when exactly I first heard of a VSCO girl, but what I do know is that they have been this year’s biggest meme/joke on TikTok so far. So it’s definitely understandable when people say they hate the annoying ‘sksksksk’ and ‘and I oop’ noises they make.

User @koobydoobydoobydoo can be considered Queen of VSCO, what with her repid fire speech and sksksksk-ing. Almost as if it’s another language of its own…

So, there you go, the top 10 TikToks for the year 2019. It’s up to you now – do you agree with these picks?

But it wouldn’t be Christmas without a festive movie binge-session!

So start ticking these Christmas Classics off your bucket list and get into the holiday spirit!

1. Love, Actually

You say ‘rom com’, I say ‘Love, Actually’, but as far as rom coms go, both girls and guys should love this movie. I mean, you can never go wrong with a cast consisting of names like Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Keira Knightley, and Alan Rickman. Hell, even Mr Bean is in it!

Pros: Any movie that manages to have Hugh Grant prancing through the halls of 10 Downing Street is worth seeing. Twice.

Cons: With more than a dozen main characters and storylines, it may be too much to digest for some people!

2. Elf

Comedy legend Will Ferrell is a riot in this movie as Buddy. The tale of Buddy is both heart-warming and full of adventure as he travels to New York to search for his non-elvish father. Not to mention it is also hilarious!

Pros: Zooey Deschanel’s singing and all-round sweet persona + a grown man skipping around New York city in yellow tights.

Cons: Many plot holes – like, why not just make Buddy a bigger sized bed so he doesn’t have to destroy his back every night?

3. The Nightmare Before Christmas

Technically, this is a Christmas AND Halloween movie (but that’s a debate for another day). If you want a movie that you can play pretty much non-stop for 3 months, I’d recommend this one!

Pros: It’s Tim Burton at his best – slightly weird, but in a good way!

Cons: Why is Sally psychic? How did Jack come to be Halloween King? So many questions left unanswered.

4. The Santa Clause

Tim Allen stars in this family film about a divorced father who accidentally kills Santa, and has to take his place – much to the delight of his son, and to the dismay of everyone else. I watch this movie pretty much every Christmas, because the premise of this movie never gets boring. It puts an interesting spin on the story of Santa Claus!

Pros: Good old-fashioned holiday film with enough Christmas spirit to last the whole month.

Cons: There’s some wild theories out there that the elves are baking women and kids to make hot cocoa for Santa…

5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

This movie is a witty live-action remake of Dr Seuss’ classic picture book, some of the scenes and lines in the film are extremely clever (and meme-worthy). It shows how the smallest acts of kindness can change even the hardest of hearts, like the Grinch’s.

Pros: Hearing Anthony Hopkins narrate the story like how we’ve always imagined it to sound like.

Cons: Unfortunately nothing can live up to the 1996 TV special, which was animated to perfection.

6. Bad Santa

You know, there’s just something fascinating about watching a hard-drinking, chain-smoking man dressed as Santa spit out profanities like a machine gun. Some of the dirty jokes fly by so fast that you’d probably need to watch it a couple more times just to catch them all!

Pros: Makes a perfect antidote to all that forced Christmas cheer.

Cons: Not for those who are easily offended!

7. The Polar Express

In this animated movie, a young boy has reached an age where he’s starting to lose belief in Santa Claus and the spirit of Christmas as a whole. This film manages to really capture the sense of wonder and awe that children find in the holiday season.

“It doesn’t matter where the train is going, it’s deciding to get on that counts”

Pros: Spectacular animation and the movie’s pioneering use of motion-capture technology makes the visuals magical to watch.

Cons: The main character (being such a know-it-all) gets annoying very quickly!

8. A Christmas Carol

In this retelling of the Charles Dickens’ novel, the animation in this movie is astounding (Robert Zemeckis directed both this and The Polar Express). The details in the scene where the ghosts show Scrooge his past and present selves is so good!

Pros: Even under all that motion-capture animation, you can still tell it’s Jim Carrey with his wonderfully expressive movements and emotions. 

Cons: Unfortunately doesn’t produce many laughs, especially for a movie with Mr. Carrey in it.

9. Die Hard

Fast-paced and impressive fight scenes, amusing dialogue, an over-the-top villain (played by none other than Alan Rickman), and a hero you can’t help but feel for, this movie really does have everything you’d want in an action flick!

This might not be the, eh, most traditional Christmas movie (if it can even be considered one). But if the screenwriter himself states that it is a Christmas film, then Die Hard is a Christmas film. Again, this is another debate which we do not have time to unpack at the moment. 

IMO, it’s become a Christmas classic in its own right, don’t @ me.

Pros: One of the very best action films of all time. Yippee-ki-yay, action fans!

Cons: The deputy chief is literally only there to make it seem like Bruce Willis’ character is a genius.

10. Home Alone

And of course, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Kevin McCallister outsmarting a couple of dim-witted burglars, right?

“Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal!”

Pros: Nostalgia permeates through the whole movie, and it’s just so relatable.

Cons: If you’re old, you definitely won’t appreciate all the mess Kevin made. Poor mum!

11. Jack Frost

When workaholic Jack Frost dies, he leaves his son Charlie behind, who he never spent much time with. Then Jack is reincarnated as a snowman to repair his lost time with his son.

Pros: Michael Keaton.

Cons: It’s about as cheesy as you’d expect a film about a man reborn as a snowman would be.

12. The Muppet Christmas Carol

Yet another adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Scrooge tale, this time in a gentle, kid-friendly Muppet format.

Pros: Unlike some of the darker adaptations, there’s enough Miss Piggy, music, and wholesomeness to be entertaining.

Cons: There’s not as much Muppet madness as there is in other original Muppet films.

13. Home Alone 2

Here we go again! The sequel to the first Home Alone movie sees Kevin McCallister take his scheming and shenanigans to the Big Apple, while his family leaves for Miami.

Pros: As a sequel, the movie manages to be funny, Kevin’s antics are even wackier, and it occasionally borders on heart-warming.

Cons: It’s literally the same story as the first, but in New York.

14. The Princess Switch

An ordinary baker switches places with the Duchess of Belgravia, who looks identical to her, and they each fall in love with the other guy.

Pros: One order of The Princess Switch for a Miss Hopeless Romantic?

Cons: Apart from Vanessa Hudgens, most of the supporting cast are quite…bland.

15. The Night Before

A trio of friends have held an annual Christmas Eve reunion for the past decade, a night of drinking and debauchery. Now that their tradition must come to an end, they set out to find the Holy Grail of Christmas parties – the Nutcracker Ball.

Pros: It’s a Seth Rogen movie, meaning the comedy (and weed) never stops, and the 3 leads have amazing chemistry.

Cons: Too many derailing tangents distract from the plot of the movie, making it somewhat confusing.

16. The Holiday

Two women exchange houses for the holidays to get away from their relationship issues. Their lives change unexpectedly when they meet two local guys, and both must decide what to do with their newfound love before going back.

Pros: Jack Black provides a much-needed energy into his role. Fellas, you’ll be alright watching this one too.

Cons: Predictable and at times dull, the characters find out what you’ve known all along.

17. Fred Claus

When Fred Claus’ deceitful antics land him in jail, his younger brother Santa agrees to bail him out on one condition – that Fred come to the North Pole and help out with the pre-Christmas toy rush.

Pros: A great cast, including Vince Vaughn in improv mode!

Cons: The sibling rivalry idea is so promising, but often so messy that it doesn’t deliver.

18. Arthur Christmas

An ultra-high-tech operation helps Santa “gift drop” all of his presents in one night. When Santa’s son Arthur learns that one girl’s gift has been misplaced, he sets out on an urgent mission to deliver the present before Christmas morning.

Pros: Made by the same studio who did Wallace & Gromit and Flushed Away, the visual details are impeccable, and the storyline simple yet effective.

Cons: Some really cringey puns in the dialogue!

19.   Four Christmases

Unfortunate weather disrupts the vacation plan of lovers Brad and Kate, so they are stuck in the city and forced to visit all four of their divorced parents on Christmas day.

Pros: Reese Witherspoon keeps up with Vince Vaughn’s lightning fast quips and dialogue really well. They’ve got appeal as a couple!

Cons: A good deal of crude, potty humour (see: projectile vomiting babies), much of it not so funny.

20. The Santa Clause 2

Another sequel to a loved classic. This time, Scott Calvin AKA Santa Claus has two problems. A) his son is on the naughty list, and B) he must find a Mrs Claus. Running out of time to save Christmas, Santa leaves a mechanical substitute in the North Pole, who creates some rules of his own.

Pros: Still hilarious – Charlie Sheen is on the naughty list (“I thought he cleaned up his act!”).

Cons: Sadly, the charm and ingenuity will never live up to the original movie.

21. Jingle All the Way

Workaholic dad Howard promises to buy his son a Turbo Man toy for Christmas. He is forced to fight every parent and travel all over town to get the toy after he forgets to buy it.

Pros: Arnold is pretty fun?

Cons: You know what, this movie might be so bad that it’s actually good.

22. Scrooged

Yep, the Scrooge adaptations will never stop. This time it’s set in 1988.

Pros: Whenever Bill Murray is in a film, you know it’s gonna be a good thing.

Cons: A strange way to show the story’s message, what with the film being so mood-swingy.

23. Almost Christmas

Walter, a beloved patriarch, invites his four dysfunctional children home for Christmas with one wish: that they set aside their problems for a joyful and traditional holiday, without killing each other.

Pros: The actors have so much fun with their roles which makes the sibling dynamics feel really authentic and funny!

Cons: Familiar and formulaic.

24. It’s a Wonderful Life

When George Bailey, a man with a big heart, wishes he were never born, an angel shows him the tremendous impact he has had on his community and reminds him of his importance and value as a person.

Pros: Who can go wrong with a delightful little song and dance sequence and a dance floor that converts into a swimming pool?

Cons: Perhaps too old-timey for younger viewers.

25. A Christmas Story

9-year-old Ralphie wants one thing for Christmas – the Red Ryder air rifle. Everyone he asks tells him otherwise, and between dreaming about the gun and dodging a bully, Ralph fears he’ll never get the toy.

Pros: An accurate portrayal of childhood, providing a big hit of nostalgia!

Cons: Can be a snoozefest at times due to the script being less witty than others.

26. Miracle on 34th Street

Kris Kringle is hired to become a store’s in-house Santa. Susan doesn’t believe in Santa, because her mother has raised her as a realist. When Kris tells her that he is the real Santa Claus, she begins to believe him.

Pros: Set in a captivating 1940s universe, this tale is charming, delightfully funny and genuinely heartwarming.

Cons: Honestly, I can’t think of one!

27. The Christmas Chronicles

Siblings Teddy and Kate plan to catch Santa on Christmas Eve, but after crashing into his sleigh their plans go awry. Now the three must work together to save Christmas!

Pros: Kurt Russell makes for a charming Santa, who doesn’t do any of that ‘ho ho ho’ nonsense, btw.

Cons: Santa works out? Impossible!

28. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Clark Griswold is really into Christmas and is determined to show his family how good he can make it, but instead causes disaster after disaster.

Pros: Try and keep a straight face when Randy Quaid is on screen. (Hint: you can’t)

Cons: Couple of dry spells during the movie.

29. Batman Returns

In the second instalment of the blockbuster Batman films, the legendary hero battles against two new foes: the mysterious Cat Woman and the criminal Penguin.

Pros: There’s something fun about the juxtaposition of Batman’s serious aesthetic with the joyous one of Christmas.

Cons: The Penguin running for office thing is kinda boring.

30. The Man Who Invented Christmas

A fictionalised drama about legendary author Charles Dickens’ real-life inspirations for writing the classic A Christmas Carol.

Pros: A refreshing new take on a story that we all know very well, with a great performance by Dan Stevens as Dickens.

Cons: When the script tries to add some drama, it unfortunately falls flat.

31. A Bad Moms Christmas

The follow-up to Bad Moms, this movie centres around the same trio of moms, but now it’s the holidays, and all the moms are fed up. They have to create the perfect family holiday…while hosting their own mothers!

Pros: Very silly and entertaining, just like the first movie, and a fun Christmas guilty pleasure.

Cons: Not as much room for proper humour in this one.

32. Office Christmas Party

An office Christmas celebration gets out of control after an epic party is hosted by Clay, the branch manager, in an effort to impress a client and and close a sale that will save his job.

Pros: It’s a group of hilarious people being hilarious together.

Cons: Like a real office Christmas party, it takes time to warm up to.

33. Gremlins

Billy’s father gets him a unique pet for Christmas which has three very specific instructions. When Billy does not follow them, it unleashes a horde of monsters which attack the whole town.

Pros: Just when it seems like the plot has been predictably laid out, the movie transforms into something unexpected!

Cons: Might be traumatising. Kids, stay away.

34. Just Friends

Chris used to be ridiculed for being overweight. Chris is now a handsome, successful music industry executive, so when he goes back to his hometown, he’s ready to woo his high-school love once again.

Pros: Ryan Reynolds. I mean, come on. The guy’s a legend.

Cons: Needs more Christmas spirit!

35. This Christmas

When the Whitfields reunite for their first Christmas get-together in seven years, they discover forgotten bonds and family secrets.

Pros: Just the right balance between sentimental and sweet. Chris Brown’s singing is also a welcome surprise.

Cons: Very corny and cliche.

Have we missed any films that score a SOLID 10 in your book? Let us know which holiday movies are unmissable in your list.

Happy Holidays! HO HO HO.

“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” Douglas Adams

Once upon a time, there was a girl who had to write a 500 word report for one of her classes at university. She had a couple of weeks to finish it, so she wasn’t too bothered about it at the moment – she had better things to do, like watch the latest season of Black Mirror.

‘No biggie’ she thought to herself. ‘This’ll be EZPZ’

So this girl, being the smart and sensible human she was, waited until the last week to make a start on it. And then promptly freaked out. 

Because, rumour had it, the assignment was supposed to be (gasp) 2,000 words. Not 500!

So, two days before it was due, the girl decided (albeit through almost-teary eyes and gritted teeth) that enough was enough. She set everything else aside to try and maintain pure concentration on her report. Door? Locked. Phone? On vibrate. Chair? Uncomfortable. At that point, nothing else existed besides the bright blue light of her laptop. 

Alas, the first couple of hours went by like treacle on a cold day, with her only managing about 600 words by night. The temptation of Black Mirror proved too strong to resist. She gained an (un)healthy paranoia about technology, her guitar skills improved loads, and that spot on the wall suddenly looked veryinteresting – but this was not what she had been planning. It was only when theimminence of a deadline and possibility of failing the course registered in her mind had she reached her breaking point. And so, on the last day, she managed to complete the remaining 1,400 words. And submit it at 11.58pm. 

As you may have picked up, that girl was me.

So what did I learn from this? I learned a couple of things. One, that writing a 2,000 word report in two days is totally doable. And two, that my procrastination was really stressing me out. 

I needed to change. Stat. 

That’s why I’m here to share a couple of tricks for overcoming procrastination. And trust me when I say they will make your life SOOO much easier.

The Pomodoro Hack

All hail the Pomodoro technique, which has been drilled into my brain by literally every person who I’ve complained about procrastination to. This technique is based on research (yes, science) which shows that a ‘pomodoro’, i.e. a 25 minute intensive session followed by a 5 minute break is the optimum regimen for increasing focus and getting stuff done. After 4 ‘pomodoros’, you can even take a longer 15-20 minute break. 

This method is tried and tested by many, including myself, and will help you to power through work and focus your attention on the task at hand.

But why does this work? Well, for starters it encourages you to work with timeinstead of against it. It instills a sense of urgency, because you know that you only have 25 minutes to get as much done as possible. Also, our brains naturally go through peaks and troughs in concentration when we focus (like how we zone off 20 minutes into lectures) so by mimicking this work-break cycle it can help keep our attention spans on track.

Eating beforehand

Fuelling your body will fuel your brain! I know for a lot of us it can get quite tricky to make something that is both healthy AND will leave you feeling full enough so that you won’t need to get up for a snack all the time. 

Something like oatmeal will help you release energy slowly. If that’s not your style, try incorporating eggs into a meal; they’re really versatile and inexpensive and packed with all you need to stay satisfied and energised. Nuts and fruits or trail mixes are also very good snack options especially if you don’t want the hassle of actually making food!

But with whatever you eat, make sure that you do not have any caffeine. Yes, that includes you, coffee lovers! While it can give you that initial sharp high and kick-start your concentration, caffeine is pretty much the complete opposite of slow-release energy, and you’ll find out very quickly that it will not keep you focused for as long as you would like. At least, not when you’re drinking like 10 cans of Monster and needing to go to the toilet every 5 minutes as well.

The Powers of Psychology

Many of you will have heard at one time or another about Pavlov’s dog experiment. Every time before feeding dogs, he rang a bell. The dogs eventually learned that bell = food, so when it rang again they automatically started salivating even before the food was brought out! This is an example of classical conditioning. 

Similarly, operant conditioning is when an individual changes their behaviour according to the consequences of that behaviour. It occurs through reinforcements and punishments. So as an example, I received a positive reinforcement (a fairly good grade), when I procrastinated on that 2000 word report. 

‘Huh, I guess I got a decent grade after all’

The net result was that I was rewarding myself positively for poor behaviour.And each time I procrastinated, I was strengthening this conditioning. The more I avoided, the more I wanted to avoid. 

So what should you do? Instead, try to positively reinforce a high probability behaviour with low probability behaviour. In English, doing something you enjoy can make it easier to do something you don’t. BUT only if you put the pleasant activity after the unpleasant one!

Remember how granny always said ‘eat your veggies first, then you can have your dessert?’ Yeah, that’s pretty much what this principle is about. Pleasant activities are reinforcing, and when you put reinforcing activities after something, you get more of that something.

Chances are, that by reading this post about procrastination you are procrastinating yourself. But that’s okay! Remind yourself every now and again that nobody’s perfect. Even this guide may not cure your procrastination habits, but it should at least prevent any tears being shed in the library (been there, done that).

So take a deep breath, keep calm and as Nike famously says, 

“JUST DO IT”

If you haven’t been living under a rock for the past couple of years, you’ll know Donna and Tom from Parks and Recreation. You’ll also know this iconiccatchphrase…

via GIPHY

In an era where the debilitating desire to feel productive looms over our heads at every waking moment, it can be really hard to just take a breather and focus on ourselves. So it’s important to remember – whether you’ve been feeling a little down in the dumps or absolutely SLAYING the game of life.

You need to:

A) Celebrate the awesome human that you are; and
B) TREAT YO SELF!

Here Are 6 Ways To Begin Treating Yourself

I must caution that you need to make sure the below is actually within your personal budget!

1) Splurge

Ok, I have to confess – this is my go-to way of making myself feel better after a bad day. And really, this is what everyone thinks of when they hear the words ‘treat yo self’.

A new pair of sunglasses or kicks can go a long way in making you feel a little more glamorous than usual. 

If you think about it, the compliments you’ll get will maybe (just maybe) make up for that disaster of a week you’ve had.

2) Invest

And no, I’m not talking about the cha-ching. I’m talking about experiences – book a short trip around NZ when you can (GrabOne always has great deals btw), or even just take yourself out to a fancy restaurant or a low-brow gig every now and then.

The best thing is that you’ll be able to cherish the special moments and memories for years to come, and that’s always a good investment!

3) Learn

Have spare coupons lying around for those tap-dancing classes but never knew when to use them? Well, now’s the perfect opportunity to put those two left feet to good use!

There’s a lot of fun in trying to pick up a new skill, and who knows, you might even make lifelong friendships whilst you’re at it. And yeah, it can definitely be daunting at first, but for long-term benefits, there’s really nothing better you can do than learn something new.

Whoever said that treating yourself had to be expensive? In fact, it doesn’t even have to cost you anything. Sometimes its best just to stay at home alone and allow yourself to neglect all your responsibilities every once in a while.

So these next few tips will be dedicated to all the ways you can TREAT YO SELF – FOR FREE!

4) Youtube / Netflix

Whether you’re into DIY nail art, watching Borderlands 3 gameplay, or Tom Holland interviews, YouTube is an excellent way to indulge in all kinds of guilty pleasures and interests. Same with Netflix.

‘Hang on a second’, you say, ‘Netflix ain’t free?’                                                    Well, it is if you use your cousin’s account (shot Sim).

And it doesn’t matter that you’ve watched Mean Girls about ten thousand times, you’re still going to raise your hand if you have ever been personally victimised by Regina George.

So switch off the lights, grab a drink or two and some popcorn, and play your favourite feel-good (or feel-scared) film.

5) Alone Time

It’s all fun and games until your social battery runs out and all you want to do is curl up into a ball. Maybe you’ve been meaning to catch up on that book series you’ve wanted to read, or maybe you want to start an ~aesthetic~ bullet journal.

There isn’t a better time to enjoy the simple pleasures in life than when there is no one around to bother you!

6) Sleep

Hit the hay! There’s a reason why so many of us wake up feeling rested on Saturday – it’s because we’re making up for the hours of sleep lost throughout the week. In fact, studies have shown there’s a direct link between productivity, happiness, and adequate sleep.

You don’t need to wait for every weekend, a little nap every now and then after a good study session can go a long way.

(just make sure it stays a ‘nap’ and not a ‘scheduled passing out sesh’, mkay?)

Bottom line: treating yourself is something everyone should do more often!It doesn’t even have to cost a fortune or be totally over the top. Something as simple as playing Zelda or reading a book can make you forget about all the stresses of student life.

The whole mantra of ‘treat yo self’ is about doing what makes you feel better with the time and resources you have. Most of all, it’s about celebrating yourself in a world where it can often feel like no one else does.

Because you deserve it!

For many of us uni students, being organised is not only a chore, it’s also a huge chunk of time away from the hectic nature of our society and the various commitments that come with 21^st century uni life (not to mention all the other sweet stuff we would rather be doing).

All jokes aside, being organised is actually quite essential – it can help you feel better mentally, perform better in school and work, and in the long run you could even become a tidying master (like Marie Kondo).

Like many, I’m part of the ‘do-it-later’ squad. The ‘surely-it’s-not-that-messy’ gang. But I’m also part of the ‘clutter-and-chaos-makes-me-anxious’ crew. It’s not a good combo, and it gets pretty bad right around exam season.

So how, you may ask, do I sustain the illusion of cleanliness in the face of such adversity? Well, here’s how to do just that:

1: Try the KonMari Method

By now, everyone’s heard about Marie Kondo’s Netflix show Tidying up with Marie Kondo. Maybe you’ve even watched it. Maybe you’ve seen the memes. But the point stands, and Ms. Kondo has a good point – if something doesn’t spark joy for you, thank it for its service and promptly throw it out.

This is especially helpful for those of you who are like me and can never let ANYTHING go. I’ve still got test papers and notes from year 12 biology…

just in case I might need them to revise in future (haha, as if)

And if you’re a particularly sentimental person, use YOUR FLATMATE. Have your flatmate to shake you until you come to your senses; better yet, have them throw your things out. For ultimate results, purge your stuff during semester breaks.

2: Use the 2-minute rule

What is the 2-minute rule, you say? Basically, if something can be done in 2 minutes or less, do it immediately.

• Put your dirty dishes into the dishwasher instead of letting them pile up in the sink.
• Make your bed as soon as you get up and you’ll feel like you got off to the right start that day.
• That question you forgot to ask your lecturer because they went overtime, and you nearly missed your bus? Whip up an email right now instead of leaving it until later.

You’ll be surprised how many things you’ve been putting off that you can actually do in under 2 minutes! Making this a habit will means that you can build on it; eventually you might see yourself putting off bigger tasks less often too (ahem, assignments).

3: Dance as you clean

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So your flatmates have gone out for ‘dinner and drinks’ (but let’s be honest, they’re probably just downing Jägerbombs at Shadows). Who says you can’t throw your own little party?

There’s nothing like dancing around your room jamming out to Bohemian Rhapsody, amirite?

Blasting your own music while you blitz around the house makes the whole process of cleaning way more fun, and time will fly by. So ride out that wave of motivation till you can’t clean anymore!

And, if all else fails (because we’re uni students and it probably will)…

4: Keep visible areas clear

During exam time my clothes are usually stuffed into my closet, bulldozer style, piled up like the Mt Everest of fabric. But hey, out of sight, out of mind, right? At least nobody will call me out for being a slob.

And surely, we’ve all tried shoving things under our beds, but that doesn’t work out too well a lot of the time.

Take an unused box or a rolling bin and transfer the contents of the floor and any clutter on the table into it, then simply store away. ‘Fake it til you make it’ is clearly the motto here.

We can’t all be Marie Kondo. But hey, that doesn’t mean that us uni kids can’t achieve at least a little bit of what she does – with these tips hopefully you guys can too.

And remember, those kikki.K pens do not count as clutter. Happy tidying!