Hi, my name is Annemie and this year I'm a first year student at the University of Pretoria. I am doing BPolSci International Studies which is basically international politics and no, I do not want to become the president! I want to work for the United Nations in New York.


I went on a first year camp and it was really a worthwhile experience. I met other students from my residence as well as students studying the same subjects as I do. We had semi’s (in res that are what you call the second year students) on the camp and they told us what we can expect in the first weeks at the res as well as taught us some of our house songs.  Our HK (house committee members and the seniors that our in charge of us) came to visit us and believe me, they were really intimidating. That just prepared me better for what was to come! It makes life much easier if you know your HK’s names and have studied the other information they sent you.

I am staying in a residence called House Erika and we have a lot of purple passion – we wear purple as far as possible! Moving into res can also be a challenge because of the stuff that you take with you. Only when you get there do you really see what you need. It pays to take as many weird and wonderful clothes and accessories with you because socials normally have a theme and you only get five minute to change into something appropriate!


You meet a large variety of students if you are part of a res or a day house (that’s for students not living in a res). Every day you “sleep” (that’s when you walk from your res to campus with a men’s res), have lunch and socialise in the evening with other residences or day house. I found that the easiest way to start a conversation is to ask basic questions such as: “What is your name? From where are you? What are you studying? What are you enjoying at your res/day house?” People talk easily when they see you are really interested in them and listening.


Another major happening in the first few weeks was “Ienkmelodienk”, a sing and dance competition for all residences and day houses. It took place in the Amphitheatre and each res had only 13 hours throughout the week to practise. Our theme this year was Indians and we all had stripes over our faces. It started at 17:00 and we only got the results at around 01:00 the next morning!  All the practise and nerves were worthwhile when we came third among the female residences.

The first academic week at university is used for orientation. There are classes to help you adapt to university life and includes subjects such as motivation, how to write academic papers and security on campus. I found these information sessions very useful and recommend it to new students.
So, my first weeks at university were really busy and I hardly had time to think but I enjoyed every moment of it!