A new day, a new term, a new semester

Every day, in fact, every minute, we get the opportunity to start afresh … to start again, but there’s nothing like a brand new semester to really kick-start something new.

As Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s 27000-plus students return today for term 3, semester 2 of the 2014 academic year, there’s a squeaky clean, let’s-get-off-to-a-good-start feel about the place …

I know this because:

• Once-dirty student cars are noticeably cleaner
• The students are particularly spirited (no doubt catching up with each other after recess)
• Once-dirty staff cars are noticeably cleaner
• There are more staff walking about campus (a new resolution to get fit, lose weight perhaps?)
• The staffroom fridge has been cleaned out
• There’s been an increase in upbeat e-mails asking for meetings, suggesting new ideas and get-togethers
• The number of inquiries I received about studying the Bachelor in Emergency Medical Care degree
• Of a large increase in the number of NMMU4U Facebook fans
• Of increased interaction by NMMU4U’s Twitter followers

There’s a happy buzz among my colleagues

This upbeat mood is usually a by-product of having had a good break. For many at NMMU, this meant as many as 30 days away from the regime of lectures and work of term, and time enough to recharge the batteries. For others it was a little as a long weekend, but even an extra day in a different environment can do wonders.

This time-out enables us to step back and reflect. Often that reflection, or even deep soul-searching, leads us to reassess our present lives and try to adjust them for the better.

According to a Chinese proverb, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.

Though we’re not trees, the same applies to us for there is no time like the present to start afresh with something as simple as remembering to say thank-you through to that of embarking on a journey to a new healthy lifestyle.

But whatever your new beginning might be, may you succeed …

PS I’m starting by being a better NMMU supporter by going to watch the Madibaz football team as they take on North West University at 4.45pm in the Madibaz Stadium in the first round of the Varsity Sport Football contest. It‘s being televised. Will I see you there?