By Phenyo Mathapo
The transition to tertiary education can be very daunting and the first year can be a culture shock. To help you as you embark on this new adventure, we have asked students from different institutions, who have experienced and passed their first year, for some tips.
Making Friends
Khanyisa (21) – Final Year Student
Attend events hosted by your university, faculties and residences. Try to join at least one club or society you are interested in, and there you will likely meet others who share similar interests as you. Sometimes a simple hello in lectures or tutorials can make a difference.
Nandi (21) – Graduate
You will encounter different types of people. Try to keep an open mind, embrace the change, and have a value system that helps you navigate your experience and is authentic to you.
Coping with a stressful schedule
Chiedza (20) – Second Year Student
Use resources such as your textbooks, readings, lecture slides, google and YouTube if you find yourself not grasping the work. Time management is very crucial when coping with a demanding schedule. Try to study and prepare for an upcoming task at least a week or two before. By doing this, you decrease the stress of catching up near the due date as you are giving yourself time to simply revise.
Khanyisa (21) – Final Year Student
Another good way to manage your academic workload is putting all your due dates on a calendar and moving them forward to create time to complete the task by the deadline. This method helps if you have tasks due on the same day and allows you to schedule enough time to edit and review those tasks.
If your study methods require you to rewrite your work, try to get a whiteboard and markers or use your tablet if it has a pen, as these options are erasable and save paper. If your study methods are auditory, try to record yourself reading your notes out loud as you teach yourself.
Where you study is very important. If your room is not study-appropriate, try going to campus, the library or an empty lecture venue.
Remember to ask for help and use the resources available to you, such as applying for an extension if you think you might miss a deadline or communicating with your tutors if you fear that the work is becoming too overwhelming.
How to handle burnout and panic attacks
Nandi (21) – Graduate
Time management and prioritising your resting periods as much as your working period helps to ease these stressors.
Patrick (25) – Fifth Year student
Try to talk to family and friends who understand that burnouts and panic attacks are real and quite common in university. If you seek professional help, you can try to access an on-campus therapist, who is usually free of charge for students. Taking up outdoor hobbies allows you to use activities such as walking or running as outlets for those feelings.
Final thoughts
Remember that not everyone has it figured out, so take each day as it comes. Good luck on this new journey.