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Graduates give their Top Tips for Navigating Student Life

Navigating student life

Starting university or college can be a scary prospect for a first-time student. There are so many hurdles to navigate as you step out of the safety net of school and home – with a lot of “adulting” to be done! So, why not ask someone who’s been there?

The Good Work Foundation (GWF) education non-profit in Mpumalanga runs a Bridging Year Academy to help school-leavers navigate the tricky transition from school to tertiary education and/or the workplace.

We asked some of our Bridging Year Academy (BYA) graduates who recently enrolled in tertiary studies what advice they have for first-year newbies, based on their personal experiences and what they have learnt during their time at the BYA.

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Tips from GWF Bridging Year Academy alumni for the first-time student:

Axcept Mhlongo

Axcept Mhlongo (second-year Bachelor of Information Science student, University of Pretoria; 2020 GWF BYA graduate).

  • Manage your time to make sure you are up to date with all tasks.
  • Always seek guidance. If you don’t understand something, ask your peers or your lecturers for help.
  • Make friends. University is tough sometimes, so having friends who do the same course as you can help you feel less alone.
  • Do your assignments on time because if you leave them to the last minute, you might become overwhelmed.
  • Be yourself! Never do anything just to fit into a group, and always put your studies first.
  • Take breaks. University can be overwhelming, so give yourself time to rest.
Ntlangelani Florah Mashele

Ntlangelani Florah Mashele (studied Electrical Engineering, Ehlanzeni TVET College, Nelspruit campus; 2020 GWF BYA graduate).

  • Engage with others and ask questions. If you take an interest in people, people will take an interest in you.
  • Manage your finances. The first rule is to buy food; never waste money on unnecessary things. Be money-wise.
  • Give yourself time to adjust to college life. Record the lessons if you can.
Themba Sibiya

Themba Sibiya (studying towards a Diploma in Public Affairs at Tshwane University of Technology’s Mbombela campus; 2020 GWF BYA graduate).

  • Build smart study habits, such as setting attainable goals.
  • Concentrate – this includes focusing on good note-taking, completing assignments on time and reviewing your daily notes.
  • Develop organisational skills – keep yourself organised so you’ll save valuable time and you’ll be able to do everything you want to do.
  • Be committed to your studies – it will pay off in the end.

 

Matimu Sihlangu

Matimu Sihlangu (studied Financial Management at Central Johannesburg College, Braamfontein campus; 2020 GWF BYA graduate).

  • Choose your friends wisely.
  • Never misuse money.
  • Make sure that you allocate more time to studying than to having fun.
  • Make sure you take in every lesson your lecturers impart to you.
  • Never lose sight of your goals; just focus.

 

Relief Gazide

Relief Gazide (studying Tourism Management through Unisa; 2021 GWF BYA graduate).

  • Make friends – friends are essential in times of need.
  • Get involved in group work and activities, so you’re exposed to the opinions of others.
  • Make time for yourself too as a student.

 

Lucia Mavundla

Lucia Mavundla (final-year Financial Accounting student at Unigrad College; 2022 GWF BYA graduate).

  • Do your research on the courses that are in demand and consider one that will enable you to be your own boss.
  • Get yourself a mentor, someone you can look up to and who will motivate you.
  • Be self-motivated; know what you want in life and not what your peers want for you.
  • Know who you are, where you come from and how you want to change your situation.
  • Get proper funding or save as much money as you can so you don’t get stuck in the middle of your studies. Be open to taking odd jobs.
  • If you feel you are not ready to study yet, take a gap year but not longer, because this prevents you from achieving your goals.
  • Reduce stressors and eliminate friends with a negative mindset.

“This sound advice echoes much of what these go-getting young adults learnt during their time at the academy, such as prioritising mental wellness, time management, goal-setting, self-motivation and managing stress,” notes Kathy Knott, Programme Manager of GWF’s Bridging Year Academy.

 

 

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Starting university or college can be a scary prospect for a first-time student. There are so many hurdles to navigate as you step out of the safety net of school and home – with a lot of “adulting” to be done! So, why not ask someone who’s been there?

The Good Work Foundation (GWF) education non-profit in Mpumalanga runs a Bridging Year Academy to help school-leavers navigate the tricky transition from school to tertiary education and/or the workplace.

We asked some of our Bridging Year Academy (BYA) graduates who recently enrolled in tertiary studies what advice they have for first-year newbies, based on their personal experiences and what they have learnt during their time at the BYA.

- Advertisement -

Tips from GWF Bridging Year Academy alumni for the first-time student:

Axcept Mhlongo

Axcept Mhlongo (second-year Bachelor of Information Science student, University of Pretoria; 2020 GWF BYA graduate).

  • Manage your time to make sure you are up to date with all tasks.
  • Always seek guidance. If you don’t understand something, ask your peers or your lecturers for help.
  • Make friends. University is tough sometimes, so having friends who do the same course as you can help you feel less alone.
  • Do your assignments on time because if you leave them to the last minute, you might become overwhelmed.
  • Be yourself! Never do anything just to fit into a group, and always put your studies first.
  • Take breaks. University can be overwhelming, so give yourself time to rest.
Ntlangelani Florah Mashele

Ntlangelani Florah Mashele (studied Electrical Engineering, Ehlanzeni TVET College, Nelspruit campus; 2020 GWF BYA graduate).

  • Engage with others and ask questions. If you take an interest in people, people will take an interest in you.
  • Manage your finances. The first rule is to buy food; never waste money on unnecessary things. Be money-wise.
  • Give yourself time to adjust to college life. Record the lessons if you can.
Themba Sibiya

Themba Sibiya (studying towards a Diploma in Public Affairs at Tshwane University of Technology’s Mbombela campus; 2020 GWF BYA graduate).

  • Build smart study habits, such as setting attainable goals.
  • Concentrate – this includes focusing on good note-taking, completing assignments on time and reviewing your daily notes.
  • Develop organisational skills – keep yourself organised so you’ll save valuable time and you’ll be able to do everything you want to do.
  • Be committed to your studies – it will pay off in the end.

 

Matimu Sihlangu

Matimu Sihlangu (studied Financial Management at Central Johannesburg College, Braamfontein campus; 2020 GWF BYA graduate).

  • Choose your friends wisely.
  • Never misuse money.
  • Make sure that you allocate more time to studying than to having fun.
  • Make sure you take in every lesson your lecturers impart to you.
  • Never lose sight of your goals; just focus.

 

Relief Gazide

Relief Gazide (studying Tourism Management through Unisa; 2021 GWF BYA graduate).

  • Make friends – friends are essential in times of need.
  • Get involved in group work and activities, so you’re exposed to the opinions of others.
  • Make time for yourself too as a student.

 

Lucia Mavundla

Lucia Mavundla (final-year Financial Accounting student at Unigrad College; 2022 GWF BYA graduate).

  • Do your research on the courses that are in demand and consider one that will enable you to be your own boss.
  • Get yourself a mentor, someone you can look up to and who will motivate you.
  • Be self-motivated; know what you want in life and not what your peers want for you.
  • Know who you are, where you come from and how you want to change your situation.
  • Get proper funding or save as much money as you can so you don’t get stuck in the middle of your studies. Be open to taking odd jobs.
  • If you feel you are not ready to study yet, take a gap year but not longer, because this prevents you from achieving your goals.
  • Reduce stressors and eliminate friends with a negative mindset.

“This sound advice echoes much of what these go-getting young adults learnt during their time at the academy, such as prioritising mental wellness, time management, goal-setting, self-motivation and managing stress,” notes Kathy Knott, Programme Manager of GWF’s Bridging Year Academy.

 

 

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