SWOTVAC Survival Guide

Issue 13, Semester 1

By Brigette Mercaldi

Ahhhh, SWOTVAC! No-one knows what it stands for, but we all know what it involves: spending countless hours in your study cave; limited hours of sunlight; and a whole lot of stress. During this time you will, of course, need a number of supplies to survive. This is a guide for your SWOTVAC survival.

No doubt you’ll need to sustain your energy levels throughout this time, and I have some quick, cheap and easy solutions. The best thing about these study snacks is that they are easy to make, and you can study and eat them at the same time. #efficiency.

• Homemade popcorn:
  
  • Add oil and corn kernels (just enough to cover the base) to a small pot at medium heat, place the lid on and voila! Your house will smell like a HOYTS cinema in no time.
    
  • Once your popcorn is cooked, you can add whatever seasonings you like. Salt and melted butter are a great classic, as are chilli flakes!
    
• Homemade hummus:
  
  • Blend a can of chickpeas (400g, washed and drained), a tablespoon of tahini, a clove of garlic, lemon juice and a dash or two of oil in a blender until smooth. Whilst blending, add water until you achieve your desired consistency and smoothness. As usual, adding chilli flakes is always a good idea!
    
  • Chop up a whole bunch of veggies, such as carrots, capsicum and cucumber into strips to dip into your hummus.
    
• Trail mix:
  
  • This one is easy, it simply involves adding everything into a jar and mixing it! I like to add a mixture of nuts such as almonds, macadamias, pecans and cashews, as well as coconut flakes, choc chips (or sultanas if you want to be healthy) and sunflower seeds.
    
• Coffee:
  
  • This one is self-explanatory.
    

Of course, another SWOTVAC essential is study supplies. These tools are crucial to get you through your week.  

• Ear-plugs (foam or reusable silicon):
  
  • These are an absolute library/exam room essential! If you can only concentrate in absolute silence and can’t stand to hear the person next to you clacking away on their keyboard or flicking furiously through their notes, make sure you have these on hand.
    
• Standing desk:
  
  • If you don’t want to graduate as a statue, forever frozen in a seated position with a hunched back and rounded shoulders try using a standing desk. You can book to use these in the library via BookIT (https://bookit.unimelb.edu.au/cire/login.aspx),  or invest in one for home.
    
• Colourful pens and highlighters:
  
  • Is it a need? No. Is it a want? Yes! Why not spruce up your exam notes with a bit of colour. Making diagrams, lists and mind maps to consolidate your knowledge is often more effective with the use of colour to separate concepts, and can overall allow you to feel more satisfied with your notes. You could also borrow some whiteboard markers from the library help desk, and achieve the same result for free!
    

Okay everyone, good luck! Gather these supplies in preparation for one of the most difficult weeks of the year, and you’ll be sure to survive.