When asked about the scale and purpose of the 2026 FLY@UP Orientation, Tayla Jonker emphasised just how much intentional planning goes into welcoming first-year students to the University of Pretoria. “Orientation Week is fully arranged, managed, and co-ordinated by a three-person team – Orientation Manager Hestie Byles, FLY@UP and Orientation Co-ordinator Tayla Jonker, and Orientation administrator Dina Maboko,” she explained.
Despite the magnitude of the event, which welcomes nearly 10 000 first-year students, the programme is driven by a small but highly dedicated team working behind the scenes to ensure everything runs seamlessly. One of the standout features introduced this year was the use of faculty-specific coloured lanyards. Each student received a lanyard representing their faculty, making it easier for them to identify where they belong and fostering an immediate sense of academic identity and community.
In addition to this, every first-year student received a comprehensive Start-Up Guide. This practical resource includes everything from how to access student email accounts and apply for financial aid to understanding the 2026 university calendar, academic exclusions, and how to structure a timetable. The guide was designed to serve as a reliable reference point, especially during the overwhelming first few weeks of university life.
The structure of the week itself was carefully curated to balance social integration with academic preparation. The first day focused on being fun, social, and supportive. Students met their Faculty Houses, explored student life in the Piazza, attended sessions at Rautenbach Hall to learn about campus support services, and were introduced to the library and its academic resources.
The second and third days shifted towards academic readiness. First-years met their lecturers, gained clarity on modules and credits, and familiarised themselves with timetables and class expectations. The final day concluded with a lively campus crawl – a treasure hunt designed to help students explore and become comfortable with navigating the campus environment.
The team also worked closely with STARS mentors and student helpers who were easily identifiable in brightly coloured FLY@UP attire. These student leaders played a crucial role in assisting first-years with directions, programme guidance, and campus tours.
According to Jonker, the purpose of Orientation extends far beyond logistics. “Orientation is a student’s first introduction to university life. First impressions count, and they last,” she noted.
Banthatile, a second-year Law student, also shared her experience. “Helping with orientation was nice – a lot more fun than I had expected it to be. The first-years were such nice people, very curious to learn, very friendly. The highlight was getting to know other volunteers, because apart from that space, I do not think there would have been an opportunity for us to meet, so that was a top tier moment. Also, shoutout to the managers of the FLY@UP volunteers. Without their enthusiastic approach, mentoring, [and] words of encouragement, it would not have been possible without them. That is why I will be doing it again next year,” she shared.
A final-year student, Laurane, also gave us insight into her experience. “As someone who never got to attend orientation during my time [in first year], this experience reminded me of the version of myself that stepped into UP without any guidance. It was just my school map and I against the world. This time, I got to be the person I once needed. There is something powerful about turning what you lacked into what you give. Watching students arrive nervous and hopeful reminded me why community matters, why mentorship matters, and why presence matters. It was honestly a full circle moment, and in giving them the welcome I never had, I found a quiet kind of healing,” she said.
The overarching goal is to ensure that every student feels welcomed, included, and supported, while also equipping them with essential information without overwhelming them. By creating a structured yet enjoyable programme, FLY@UP aims to help students confidently transition into university life, setting them on a path to graduate on time and successfully cross the finish line.
