25 Tips to Help you Survive and Thrive Your First Year and Beyond of Tertiary

No one will be around to wake you up. No one will force you to submit your tasks and to attend classes. You will be expected to balance your social life with your academic life.

Many students are finding themselves dropping out of institutions of higher learning, some in jail, some doing nasty things like drugs and prostitution, they lack guidance. This column will try to advise and guide grade 12 candidates who will be at tertiary institutions next year, they will be students and no longer learners as we addressed in our document on the preparation document on examination.

“Rutang bana ditaola le se ye natso Badimong” and “Mahlaku a maswa a ema ka a matala”-African proverbs. I was told by my grandmother that Ngwana o na le mahlajana, Motho o mogolo o na le bohlale le ge a ka se tsene sekolo.

She also said the experience can never be bought. Let us allow to be mentored by those who came before us.

Perhaps you were LRC President in high school, or perhaps you were a class rep. You could have graduated in the top percentile of your graduating class; perhaps you were even valedictorian. Actually, it doesn’t really matter what you did in high school as you make the transition to college or university. High school success (or lack of it) doesn’t automatically apply to collect or university.

It is common knowledge that some of the students leave before completing their first year – and nearly half of all freshman will either drop out before obtaining a degree or complete their studies elsewhere.

The first few weeks on campus are extremely critical for all new students. It is during this time you make a critical decision that will have an effect on the rest of your life. Some of these 25 tips are critical during your first weeks, while the others are meant for long-term guidance and survival. Whatever you do, be sure to be yourself and try to enjoy your college /varsity experience as much as possible. Expect to feel some stress and homesickness, but don’t let these issues wear you down.

1. Go to all orientation. Do you really need to go on yet another campus tour? Yes. The faster you learn away around campus – and around all the red tape—the more at ease you’ll feel and the better prepared you’ll be when issues arise.
2. Get to know your roommate and others in your residence hall. The people you live with, most of whom are going similar experiences and emotions, are your main safety net—not only this year, but for all your years. You may change roommates after the first semester or you may stay roommates for all four years—just take time to get to know your fellow first-year students.
3. Get organised. In high school, the teachers tented to lead you through all the homework and due dates. In varsity, the professors post the assignment- often for the entire semester-and expect you to be prepared. Buy an organizer, a PDA ,a big wall calendar, or store important dates on your cell phone—whatever it takes for you to know when assignment are due.
4. Find the ideal place for you to study. It may be your dorm your room or a cosy corner of the library, but find a place that works best for you to get your work done—while avoiding as many distractions as possible. When I was at Setotolwane college of education, my major subjects were Mathematics and Biology(now called Life Sciences)I was told by one senior student that if I cannot go to the Library to study and research, I will not pass, I went to the Library ,students who were in my class were taking big books of Biology, I looked at them when they returned the book to the shelves, I went and picked the book, only to find that a have many books and I do not know which one and where to read, I took 2hours at the library but could not study but admiring people who were studying, From that day I told myself that I will never go to the Library to study but to take the book I want and read in a class with few people. When I was at the then University of the North (now university of Limpopo) my major subjects were Botany, Zoology, Mathematics and Computer science. It was a programme of the department of Education for Sciences and Mathematics educators (BSc), I was told that that I was at University and not Setotolwane College of education and that I must study at the library. The same experience came back, teachers were taking different books of ZOOLOGY and BOTANY I was admiring them I took almost 3 to 4 hours not studying but admiring other students, from that day I told myself that ,I study best when I am in class with few people or at my room. You must believe in yourself, you passed grade 12, what was your study approach. Use a method and place that works for you.
5. Go to class. Obvious, right? Maybe, but sleeping in and skipping that 8 am class will be tempting at times. Avoid the temptation. Besides learning the material by attending classes, you’ll also receive vital information from the professors about what to expect on tests, changes in due dates, e.t.c.
6. Become an expert on course requirements and due dates. Professors spend hours and hours preparing course syllabi and calendars so that you will know exactly what is expected of you—and when. One of the lamest excuses a student can give professors: “I didn’t know it was due today”.
7. Meet with your professors. There are only upsides to getting to know your professors, especially if later in the semester you run into some snags. Professors schedule office hours for sole purpose of meeting with students—take advantage of that time.
8. Get to know your academic adviser. This is the person who will help you with course conflicts, adding or dropping courses, scheduling of classes for future semesters, deciding on majors and minors. This person is a key resource for you—and should be the person you turn to with any academic issues or conflicts. And don’t be afraid of requesting another adviser if you don’t click with the one first assigned to you.
9. Seek a balance. College life is a mixture of social and academic happenings. Don’t tip the balance too far on either direction.
10. Get involved on campus. A big problem for a lot of new students is a combination of homesickness and a feeling of not quite belonging. A solution? Consider joining a select -- group and be careful not to go over board -- of student organizations, clubs, sororities or fraternities, or sports teams. You’ll make new friends, learn new skills, and feel more connected to your school.
11. Strive for good grades. Another obvious one here right? Remember the words of the opening paragraph; while good grades could have come naturally to you in high school, you will have to earn them in college -- and that means getting some goals for yourself and then making sure you work as hard as you can to achieve them.
12. Take advantage of the study resources on campus. Just about all colleges have learning labs and tutors available. If you’re having some troubles, these resources are another tool available to you. Another idea: form study groups.
13. Make time for you. Be sure you set aside some time and activities that help you relax and take the stress out of your day or week. Whether it is enlisting yoga techniques, watching your favourite television shows, or writing in a journal, be good to yourself.
14. Don’t feel pressured to make a hasty decision about a career or a major. It doesn’t matter if it seems as though everyone else seems to know what they’re doing with their lives -- believe me, they don’t -- college is the time for you to really discover who you are, what you enjoy doing, what you are good at, and what you want to be. It’s not a race; take your time and enjoy exploring your options.
15. Take responsibility for yourself and your actions. Don’t look to place to blame on others for your mistakes; own up to them and move on. Being an adult means taking responsibility for everything that happens to you.
16. Make connections with students in your classes and campus. When I went to Setotolwane college of education I saw only one student who I matriculated with at Khaiso high school, many of my classmates went to Various University, Khupi Ramarumo went to kwazulu Natal, Charles Nkomisi Hlongwane was busy with the applications of MEDUNSA, he wanted to do medicine with his whole heart, the late Tsonono Malatji (may his soul rest in peace) went to Kwena Moloto college of education with Pona Mphahlele (who is now the best Principal in South Africa-NTA). Peter Mamabolo, Manas Monyepao and William went to private sector, The late Joseph Kwadi(may his soul continue to rest in perfect peace) ,Solly Rangwanashe, Kwena Moabelo and others went to University of the North, I was with them and it took me two weeks without admission and my grandmother requested me to go to college of education. Even today I am grateful to her, she mentored me and made me enjoy teaching, she was a Principal of Rametloana Primary School located in Moletjie Lonsdale(toropong ye Ntsho).in short I did not know 99,9 % at Setotolwane college of education, I had to start making friends, they had long finished with admissions but they admitted us, there was no accommodation for first year students, we were forced to be accommodated in what should be a TV room and we were 24 in one room, some people might say it is not possible but we had to connect, we became a family and friends, I have learned how to be humble and to share in room 11 St.Marys hostel. It is where I met kwapeng Johannes Madihlaba, The late Thabo Ledwaba, Alex Mboshwa Mohlabeng, Theo Makgeru, Peter Nkoana and others. I joined ELCSA Youth fellowship, joined SASCO, was part of Sports community, playing Volleyball, I met many people and enjoyed myself, having friends and comrades assisted me to cope with tertiary life. I ended being elected the Chairperson of Lutheran Youth Fellowship, SASCO executive member heading religious desk, a hostel rep, taking part in many activities, created more friends. Please choose good friends. I was in the same class with the Principal of Capricorn high School Mr LUCAS CHUENE and (Vincent Molokwane who is also a Principal); Mr Chuene was older than us and much disciplined. I loved Politics and our Lecturer Mrs Eloff who wrote a Biology book’ one day, chased me from class, while attending wearing an ANC T-shirt with SACP logo (it was for one of our fallen comrade of University of the North), I refused and She said if I do not go, she will not teach, and that she cannot teach a communist (to cut the long story short , Mr Masenya called me thereafter, to his office and reprimanded me ,telling me that Christians should not harass female lectures- by the by I was the Chairperson of Lutheran Christian fellowship, my class mates requested me to go and change which I did. Hang with friends who can advise you.
17. Find the Career Service Office. Regardless of whether you are entering college as undeclared or have your mapped out, seek out the wonderful professionals in your college’s career services office and get started on planning, preparing and acting on your future.
18. Don’t procrastinate; prioritize your life. It may have been easy in high school to wait until the last minute to complete an assignment and still get a good grade, but that kind of stuff will not work for you in college. Give yourself deadlines -- and stick to them.
19. Stay healthy/eat right. A lot of problems first-year students face can be traced back to an illness that kept them away from classes for an extended period of time that led to a downward spiralling effect. Get enough sleep, take your vitamins, and eat right. If you haven’t heard the jokes about college food, you soon will. And without mom or dad there to serve you a balanced meal, you may be tempted to go for those junk food (kota/chips/Pizza e.t.c). Stay healthy and avoid the dreaded extra “Freshmen 15” pounds by sticking to a balanced diet.
20. Learn to cope with homesickness. It’s only natural that there will be times when you miss your family, even if you were one of those kids who couldn’t wait to get away. Find a way to deal with those feelings, such as making a phone call or sending some WhatsApp message home.
21. Stay on campus as much as possible. Whether it’s homesickness, a job, or a boyfriend or girlfriend from home, try not to leave campus too soon or too often. The more time you spend on getting to know the campus and your new friends, the more you’ll feel at home at school.
22. Seek professional help when you need it. Most colleges have health and counselling centres. If you are sick or feeling isolated or depressed, please take advantage of the many services these offices provide students. You don’t have to face these issues by yourself.
23. Keep track of your money. If you have never had to create a budget, now is the time to do so. Find ways to stretch your money – and as best as you can, avoid all those credit card solicitations you’ll soon be receiving the average credit card college grads is staggering.
24. Don’t cut corners. College is all about learning. If you procrastinate and cram, you may still do well on the test, but you’ll learn very little. Even worse, don’t cheat on term papers or tests.
25. Be prepared to feel overwhelmed. There’s a lot going in your life right now. Expect to have moments where it seems a bit too much. As one student says, be prepared to feel completely unprepared. The trick is knowing that you are not the only one feeling that way.
    Final words of advice

You’ve done all the prep work -- you’ve done it well on a standardized test, and been accepted into the college/University you want to attend -- so enjoy all your hard work while laying the ground work for a successful college career. Don’t be a statistic; be determined to make it through your first year—and beyond.

Take advantage of your network of friends and professors, have fun while learning as much as you can, and get the most out of your varsity/college experience.

NB! Dear candidates and soon to be students, do not be BIBLIOPHOBIC (You must never have phobia of reading/studying/books).My mother said to me a person who does not read will always keep quite when people are talking.
Mr. Madimetja Chepape is a Principal at Ngwamorei Secondary school, Limpopo.

Reference: Inspiration Magazine March/April 2010, pages 26-27