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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 2, No. 1 March 8, 1939

Will Appleton

Will Appleton

At the outset I would state that the number of hours which can be spared each week for physical and mental recreation is just as important as the hours devoted to study. There is no golden rule but work—steady and intelligent work is the main Ingredient for success.

Lack of composure and want of confidence in the examination room are probably responsible for more failures than a deficiency in actual knowledge of the subjects. While concentrated and persistent study are essential, the cultivation of a degree of self-confidence is also necessary.

To pursue any vocation in solitude and isolation is at the best a depressing business, and nothing is better at the beginning of one's University career than to have opportunities of meeting with those who are fired with the same ambitions and aspirations. Success in a profession can best be obtained in the society of those who are encaged or who are likely to be engaged in similar pursuits.

Education which aims only at passing examinations is Incomplete. The ethical aspect of professional life—its traditions. Its observance of principles of right conduct, its progress in adopting itself to the ever-changing conditions which necessitate new outlooks, all form part of that education which makes a good citizen. The early Instincts which are formed by students of steady application, of thoroughness, and of resource, are the attributes which in their observance will tell in the long run rather than the highest places secured in [unclear: examinations] which in themselves do not afterwards always bring that success which such early achievements promised.

While it is a good plan to aim at success in examinations, this should not be the sale and ending purpose of an education, which should never [unclear: cease,] and in which other things enter which hastily acquired knowledge in Itself never gives. The foundation of life—in professional and indeed in all occupations—is character, and [unclear: environment] in education has no [unclear: little] influence in its development.

"Salient" wandered round last week among the bashful-looking groups of freshers and tried to gather their first Impressions of Victoria. Most of them were somewhat shy and hadn't a great deal to say, but with a little probing and a little guessing a few Interesting sidelights on our alma mater were collected:—

A volatile female with thick glasses and an academic [unclear: stoop] complained hotly of the lack of signs for freshers.

"Like a lot of lost sheep in a slaughterhouse."

Then a [unclear: tall], quiet swain: "It looks to me like a place of great learning and all the students look very scholarly."

"Salient" endorsed this, but the oracle went on to say that it was also an unfriendly place and had an air of "grim foreboding."

Next a [unclear: disillusioned] youth: "Not much good. "[gap — reason: illiegible][unclear: ot] a patch on A.U.C."

A young lady: "Well, It's given [unclear: re] a headache. The outside I thought was quite good but the Inside is worse."

Another [unclear: disillusioned] one: "It's got no medical faculty and the art students are allowed to mix with the science students. They even go into the science wing. Now, down in Otago——"

Here we stopped.

A Wellington College old boy: