After getting an acceptance letter from the University of Pretoria (UP), the unexplainable excitement quickly gives way to the reality of what comes next. Registration marks the first official step into university life, and for many first-year students, it is both a milestone and a moment of not knowing where they stand.
Orientation Week (O-Week) often begins with unanswered questions about accommodation, academic expectations, campus culture, and the support systems available to help students succeed in their journey. Stepping onto campus with little more than luggage, determination, and ambition, first-year students take their first steps into an unfamiliar but promising environment.
The idea is to offer guidance to first-year students as they begin their journey at UP. It clearly focuses on key registration insights, introducing important student support structures, and exploring the role of Faculty Student Advisors (FSAs) in making life easier as one transitions from high school to higher education. First-year students are equipped with academic resources, social spaces, and services that are put in place to help students settle in and thrive in their new environment.
For many students, the registration process can feel intimidating, but the university has put systems in place to simplify the experience.
PDBY spoke to Kate Matabane, Chairperson of House Theology and Religion, who recalls that staying informed made a significant difference. “The registration process was straightforward for me because the university communicated clearly on social media,” she explains. UP regularly shares registration dates, walk-in details, and campus information on platforms such as Instagram, making it easier for students to stay prepared.
Kamogelo Mothapo, a first-year student studying a bachelor’s in Town and Regional Planning, describes her registration experience as exciting rather than stressful. She gives all credit to the STARS Mentorship Programme, a mentorship initiative put in place to support first-year students. “We were assigned mentors who guided us step-by-step, from logging into the student portal to uploading important documents,” Mothapo says. The programme also helped her with her registration fees, easing financial pressure.
O-Week plays a crucial role in preparing students for academic life at university. Matabane describes O-Week as a game changer, noting that it introduced students to academic expectations, assessment methods, tutoring services, and library resources. “It showed us how assignments and exams work and pointed us to resources so we would not get lost,” she says. Beyond academics, O-Week also exposes students to campus culture, student structures, and residence life.
Mothapo shares the same sentiment, highlighting the effectiveness of O-Week in easing her transition. “It helped me understand how the academic system works, including module registration, timetables, and online platforms such as clickUP,” she explains. She adds that learning about academic rules and available support gave her the confidence she needed to begin her studies.
One of the most valuable support structures introduced to students is the Faculty Student Advisor. Both interviewees emphasised the role that FSAs play in guiding first-year students at the start of the year. Matabane shares that her advisor assisted her with her course selection, workload management, and accessing academic workshops. Mothapo describes the interaction with her advisor as one that clarified academic expectations and reduced uncertainty.
Aside from academics, UP offers support services that address students’ personal and social needs. These include the Student Service Centre, Student Counselling Unit, health services, and financial aid support. Programmes such as the Student Nutrition and Progress Programme (SNAPP), an initiative that provides food parcels, and Student Representative Council (SRC) assistance with NSFAS matters demonstrate UP’s commitment to student wellbeing.
It is without a doubt that the university’s support structures ensure that first-year students are not left behind. With the right guidance and resources, students are well equipped and empowered to truly FLY]@UP!
