So, you’ve studied hard and have Grade 12 under the belt, with admirable marks to boot! The prospect of university to further prepare you for a bright and successful future is very exciting. Yet, at times, you also doubt whether you will be able to cope with the stresses and strains of tertiary studies.
Don’t panic! Help is at hand, thanks to a booklet titled GRAD.
Essential reading for students, this useful guide is filled with thoughtful and practical insights that will truly resonate with those who need guidance and support on the long and often uncertain journey through the higher education system.
In January 2019 160 000 copies of GRAD will be distributed to 24 universities across South Africa – from Thohoyandou to Cape Town, from Kimberley to Durban.
Sponsored by Capitec with hard cash and Van Schaik Publishers with hours of pro bono work, compiled by the well-known former Carte Blanche presenter, Ruda Landman, in collaboration with national bursary organisation StudyTrust, the bright and accessible publication covers a plethora of subjects in its 54 pages including:
- taking responsibility
- setting goals
- managing time
- managing money
- handling stress
- studying effectively
- using test and exam results to improve, overcoming failure
- how to feed yourself on a very small budget
South Africa has more than 150 000 first years at university every year. About 60% of them are “first-generation” – the first one in their family to go to university.
“They can’t phone home,” says Landman. “No one at home has walked the road. There’s no one who can say, ‘Don’t worry, I know it’s hard but you can make it – I know because I did it.’ Often the student carries the whole family’s hopes and aspirations on her shoulders. It is simply impossible to say to your mum or your granny, ‘I don’t know if I can do this.’ Where must they turn for help?”
StudyTrust has been supporting students with bursaries and mentorship since 1974. The content of GRAD was compiled from first-hand experience with hundreds of students, and from research done in partnership with the Sasol Inzalo Foundation. Van Schaik has added an online workbook (www.myvsp.co.za/GRAD.html) which can be downloaded for free so that the student can put the “lessons” into practice immediately.
Universities are focusing on first years as part of a drive to increase the overall success rate of students. According to research by Stellenbosch University and the Council for Higher Education, less than 60% of students who start studying in South Africa ever finish their degree or diploma.[1] The National Resource Centre for the First Year Experience has endorsed GRAD and supported the team by providing them with contacts on all the campuses.
Here’s what some of the people in charge of the First-Year Experience at the universities have said: “Students and staff have found this resource so incredibly useful…”
“It was sourced as an invaluable research tool for our current students. They enjoyed it very much and we found it absolutely worthwhile.”
“Well done on a lovely informative and educational magazine with relevant topics!”
“Thank you for a rich, relevant and most useful publication!”
[1] https://africacheck.org/factsheets/factsheet-many-south-african-students-graduate/
Die menings vervat in WERD OM TE WEET is die van die outeur/bron en nie noodwendig die van die Noordelike Helpmekaar Studiefonds nie