As most students go home during the June recess, some remain in their residences. Why is this the case? For some students, going home after the June exams is important because some last saw their family members in January or February. However, various factors such as academic commitments, financial constraints, and the long distance between university and home can prevent students from traveling.
The June recess represents a convenient opportunity to go home because it is longer than the other breaks and marks the end of the first semester. This allows students to go home and recharge before the second semester begins. For some students, however, this opportunity is out of reach. Postgraduate and masters students may use this as a chance to catch up on research or coursework while balancing studies with work commitments. Undergraduate students often stay behind for vacation work or job shadowing opportunities. For international students, travelling home may be too far and too expensive.
In a poll conducted by PDBY on Instagram, 92% of students said that they went home during the July recess, while only 8% stayed at res. This high percentage highlights just how many students choose to go home. Among those who went home, 55% said that spending time with family was the main factor influencing their decision, while 22% said that home being nearby made travelling there easier. Although most students return home, those who remain in residences often do so because of financial constraints because transport costs can be expensive.
Among the students who stayed in residences, 33% said that loneliness is the biggest challenge that they experienced. Food access (26%) and no major challenges (26%) were tied as the second most common reasons. Their main reason for staying in Pretoria was that home is too far away (39%), followed closely by work or internship commitments (37%) and financial constraints (16%). Libongo Maganga, a second-year student who stays at Apartments on Williams (AOW), explained her reason for staying in Hatfield. “Honestly, I just wanted to be alone and figure out how to rest alone. Usually when I visit family during recess, there’s always chores waiting for me.” Most students can relate to Maganga’s reason for remaining behind because many are faced with a similar situation when at home.
Another factor that influences students’ decisions is the accommodation policies in TuksRes residences. TuksRes has strict procedures for students wishing to stay during the recess, which may explain why 55% of students voted “No” when asked whether UP provides enough support for students who remain in Hatfield during the recess. While TuksRes does accommodate some students who cannot return home, a valid academic reason must be provided, with residences like Xayata and TuksVillage offering accommodation during the break. Contrastingly, off-campus residences like Respublica, ThriveStudent Living, and AOW do not have the same strict requirements.
Whether students choose to go home or stay in their residences, their decisions are shaped by personal, financial, and work-related circumstances. Recognising these different experiences can help create a more supportive and inclusive university community during recess.
