advice Unsolicited advice from an Honours student I don’t remember the first time I walked on campus. I can’t really remember what I saw, what I said or what I did. But I will never forget that feeling. The feeling of promise; a new start with freedom attached. With each breath I exhaled anticipation, with
advertising Do you have what it takes to be a YouTube star? I’ll admit it. I’ve always wanted to be a YouTube star. I’m almost ashamed to say it, but it’s true. And why not? It seems like a glamorous life. Most of the successful women on YouTube live every little girl’s dream: they try on clothes
australia Price discrimination and the expanding retail market in Australia Earlier this year, I dropped my phone on the pavement. When I picked it up, to my dismay, the screen was shattered to oblivion. Instead of paying hundreds of dollars to fix it, I waited for my plan to expire. So, after many months of patience, it was finally time
ageing population Not so super In between studying, I work part time at a clothing store. Every week, I receive my payslip, and towards the bottom, I see a (very small) amount of money put into my superannuation. When I retire – many, many years from now – I hope that super will have grown into something
carbon bubble Ross Garnaut and the state of China’s emissions The lecture theatre filled up quickly. I was on the edge of my seat, excited to see Ross Garnaut at the Sidney Myer Asia Centre. We all fell silent in the theatre as he approached the stage. On 25 August, Professor Garnaut gave his take on the future of China’
economics The surging housing market As students, there are many reasons for us to go to university. Firstly (and arguably most importantly), we study because of a passion for a certain discipline or career. But most people go to university for monetary reasons as well. I am sure that many students completing a bachelor’s
economics Messy games Exams are over now. Finally, the pain has subsided. I would sigh in utter relief, if it was not for one problem. I have a demon that always hangs over me: my messy room. The piles of books and lectures notes. My unmade bed, the blankets hurled across the room.
aged care Old folks, new monopolists: the age of the nursing home A few years ago, my mum and my aunty decided that is was time to put my grandmother in a nursing home. After searching for many months, they found a place which would take good care of her. The staff were nice and attentive, the place was warm and cosy
alternatives Taxing online shoppers: should we decrease the GST threshold? There has been much speculation recently about whether the GST should be increased, and by what means. With a federal budget looming that is likely to have us shaking in our boots; with the “age of entitlement” swiftly coming to an end; and with budget cuts ranging from education to
chocolate Finger lickin’ good: will Australia get a taste for a sugar tax? I’m in McDonald’s, eating my favourite chicken McNuggets with fries and a large coke. Delicious. Nothing gets better than this. Apart from that Cadbury Boost bar I had earlier today. Or the meal at the Pancake Parlour a few nights ago. Or the gigantic Toblerone I gobbled up
economics The economics of the tourist rip-off Last year, I travelled to Bruges, Belgium with my parents. After exploring the city for an entire morning, we were ravenous. Strolling into one of Bruges’ most prominent squares, we searched for a restaurant and finally found one that looked pleasant. We sat down and studied the menu. The scenery
