I have just took one step into my future.
I attended Orientation.
Four days of Humanities Orientation at UCT to be specific.
It was surprisingly surprising. Both exciting and unsuspected. I had a lot of misconceptions, to be honest. No one really told me what it was all about or what you would get up to besides "you're going to meet soooo many people" and "you're gonna get a sex talk."
It is true though, you do get a sex talk and meet lots of people. Along with that though you do a fair amount of campus tours, find out more about the subjects offered, go to lectures on safety, societies and constructing your curriculum (the most exciting part).
If any of you are wondering, I'm going to study a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Writing.
But how I survived Orientation? Well I think I'll share that now.*
Here are some things I figured out, wish I knew beforehand or just some general must-knows:
Be a social butterfly.
This is time when you get to meet a ton of new people. I was sitting in the huge lecture hall filled with faces I didn't know. I couldn't help but pan across thinking, "Who could be my best friend?" "Who's the annoying teachers pet?" "Is there going to be conflict between any of us?" "Is the love of my life in this hall right now?"
It's important, I believe, to meet as many people as possible. Break out your comfort zone. Speak to people sitting next to you, ask for help, make fun about how you feel like you stick out like a sore thumb at campus. DO IT. People are more friendly than you think. With everyone around you also worrying about making friends, it's pretty easy to pop up a conversation.
Don't stick to your friends.
Don't be that group, please. I'm sure you'll find one or two friends you might know from school, but try as much as possible to not cling onto them and stay a tight-knit squad. It really just alienates those around you and prevents you from making new friends.
Take notes.
In a lot of the lectures, note-taking was essential. Its beneficial to jot down important websites you might need to find later, information about your degree, where to go if something goes wrong or new jargon you'll hear on a day to day basis. Stay organised!
Bring: water, a pen, a notebook, lunch, and a positive attitude.
That sounds cheesy, and I normally hate when people try make me more optimistic, but nothing is worse than someone raining on your parade when you're happy as a clam. Along with being a complete mood-killer, you know what is also pretty annoying? When people think they are "cool" for orientation. I suggest you quit while you're ahead to avoid further embarrassment.
Be prepared.
Read through your acceptance letter and orientation email to familiarise yourself with what time to arrive, what to bring and where to go. You're already in an unknown environment, better to be a little less clueless than you already are.
Be "chill."
I fully freaked out the night before orientation. "What do I wear?" "I need to do my hair!" "How much makeup do I put on?" "What type of bag do I bring?"
There are, honestly, so many people with different styles and different tastes that it actually doesn't matter what you decide to do or what you look like. Whatever you feel comfortable with will work. I promise you.
Be open.
Your bubble has been popped and now you're surrounded by people you don't know anything about. Make room for the fact that they are going to be different.
Not everyone will agree with you, not everyone will have the same sexual preferences to you, not everyone will have the same beliefs as you. You have to embrace the change.
Be willing to talk to people who challenge you. Be mature in the conversations you have. Be loving.
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Watch:
To see my experience, watch a video I created on my adventures around UCT:
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* Please note that I attended UCT Humanities Orientation, all orientations will not be the same and consist of the same schedule or people. I am very happy to hear what yours was like or your experience, but this was mine.
