Recap with Rostra

Good morning and welcome to today’s Recap with Rostra.

I hope You managed to survive the horrendous weather of the past weeks and are currently enjoying a great coffee. If You’re tired and fed up with the constant rain: Good news… is what I can’t say as it looks like another week of rainfalls accompanied by that chilly wind we love. Amsterdam autumn/winter weather - not great but at least consistent.

To take a little brighter look at the situation, here’s a quote by Vladimir Nabokov: “Do not be angry with the rain; it simply does not know how to fall upwards.” And that ends this edition of Weather with Rostra, see you next time! *local news outro music*

- Mikołaj Kuczmarski, Elizabeth Palii, Riad Guliyev, Levente Juhász

⚡ Rostra in the Flash

Let’s see articles recently published articles. If you haven’t had a chance to read them yet - here’s the opportunity to catch up!

• Recent Polish elections have been monumental; democracy has won! Levente will provide an overview of the Polish political spectrum and what to anticipate from Donald Tusk in this article. The increased rate of voter participation and the anticipations of a modern generation inspire the developing political landscape with a sense of expectation.

• The contrast between the increasing supporters of a four-day workweek and the dominant culture that idealises workaholism raises doubts regarding the feasibility of revolutionary shifts that could liberate us from the constraints of our economic and ideological shackles. Noah tells in this article why you are tempted to be a workaholic. 

• As the 2024 United States presidential election approaches, it becomes clear that Trump's supremacy has been firmly established, making the debates meaningless rather than nurturing an authentic contest. Thomas explains in this article why it occurred despite Trump's absence and why his opponents were unable to become public favourites.

- EP

🚀 On Time, Creativity, and Productivity

“If I can get more work done in less time, I will have more time to engage in other activities”

In a world driven by an endless barrage of meetings, assignments, and routines, it seems like this is the whole deal with productivity. We also tend to compare our productivity relative to that of our peers: our classmates or work colleagues. These assumptions make sense on a macroeconomic scale since a country’s productivity can be calculated as a ratio of its GDP per total hours of work.

However, if employees also make similar assumptions it can eventually lead to burnout. Leveraging creativity is one way around it. Creativity isn't just for artists; it's a skill that can be learned to supercharge problem-solving in our everyday lives. Creativity is about thinking outside the box, connecting the dots in unexpected ways, and being open to new ideas. With the right approach, it is possible to cultivate and develop it over time.

Feed Your Curiosity: Ever find yourself wondering why things work the way they do? That's curiosity at play. Embrace it! Ask questions, seek understanding, and watch how it opens up new possibilities in your thinking.

Think Outside the Box: You don't always have to follow the straight and narrow. Creativity thrives when you explore different paths and consider multiple solutions. It's not just about finding one answer but discovering a range of possibilities.

Pause and Reflect: Take a breather from the daily grind. Mindfulness exercises, like meditation, can help clear your mind and make space for innovative ideas. A few minutes of reflection can do wonders for your focus and creativity.

Team Up for Ideas: Two heads are better than one, right? Collaborate with your colleagues or friends. Brainstorming sessions can generate a bunch of ideas you might not have thought of on your own.

Solving Everyday Problems: Got a challenge on your plate? Break it down into smaller pieces and brainstorm different solutions. Creativity isn't just for big projects; it can streamline your everyday problem-solving.

Revamp Your Workflows: Take a look at how you do things. Can it be done more efficiently? Creativity isn't just about art; it's about finding better ways to work. Tweaking your processes can save you time and energy.

Keep Learning: The learning never stops. Attend workshops, explore new interests, or pick up a new skill. Exposure to different ideas keeps your creative juices flowing and directly contributes to your overall productivity.

By adopting a creative mindset, thinking outside the box, and integrating creative approaches into your daily routine and problem-solving, you'll unlock a whole new level of productivity. In this ever-changing world, creativity is your go-to for adapting, solving problems, and reaching new heights in everything you do. 

- RG

🗒️ Rostra Recommends

Something to watch… 

On the 14^th of November, the Room for Discussion organizes a Q&A session about the happenings in Mariupol after the screening of the documentary called 20 Days in Mariupol. The venue is Kriterion 1, which is right next to the UvA REC campus. The event is part of IDFA and it is held between 14.45 and 17.00. Make sure to go and get the tickets in advance.  

For podcast seekers… 

The HBR IdeaCast is the podcast of the Harvard Business Review. Together with experts they explain case studies and discover the main aspects of the business world. In the latest episode, they discuss why many of us cannot reach our full potential. The guest speaker is Micheal Gervais, who works with athletes and executives helping them to achieve their goals. The podcast describes that it is not about talent or effort, it is about other people’s opinions… 

- LJ

🎓 The UvA Corner

Today we cover a topic close to our hearts, places where we grab food around UvA. I realised, that I usually limit myself to just a few. It’s usually the most exquisite bakery/patisserie/sushi place/jack of all trades Albert Heijn, one of the two stands at the cafeteria or the nearby Doner place, with the last one mostly for social reasons than any desire (mixed reviews I’d say).

The collection is not the largest so in the name of expanding our (especially one editor’s) palette, please let us know the fine dining places You attend! Our aim is naturally creating a true UvA Michelin (no relation) Guide of Reasonable Price and Quality. As always You can reach us at [email protected], Instagram or the app formerly known as Twitter.

And in news department, UvA has released student intake numbers with a focus on the balance between international and Dutch students and the effects of introducing numerus fixus on the programmes

- MK

You can send us feedback at [email protected]