The start of the academic year is often an exciting time, full of new beginnings, novel objectives, and bright prospects for intellectual and personal growth. The University of Pretoria (UP)'s incoming first-year law students received an exciting introduction to the Faculty of Law during Orientation Week (O-Week) 2025. The week-long program, which was crafted to prepare students for the rigors of legal studies, contained a combination of formal introductions, academic advising, and social interactions that laid the framework for a successful university career.

O-Week began with a lesson, themed "Know your way around UP!" that planned to familiarise students with the various lecture rooms, amenities, support services, and student structures available on campus. Afterwards, a session titled "Put me in the game, coach," was held to help students get to meet their Academic Success Coach allocated to Faculties for preparing them to deal with the many challenges of higher education. UP Law is home to the O.R. Tambo Law Library. The students found the tour an educational and engaging session. Freshers were introduced to the vibrant UP student life in a session titled "Remember to live your student life as an active UP citizen". Committees, TuksFM, and TuksSport hosted an event called "Discover UP's Student Life". To conclude the first day of orientation, students received a presentation on "Learn how to fix it before it breaks" led by student counseling, campus health, and protection services. First-year students also had the opportunity to interact with ENS Africa, a law firm that presented prospective opportunities such as vacation work and Candidate Attorney programme.

The week carried on with engagements at the Law Library, where students could address registration queries. Students also got to interact in the "UP Campus Crawl" session in which student leaders took them around to explore support and guidance systems available to them. Followed by a "Pick UP with ClickUP" session, during which students explored UP's online learning platforms and concluded the online component of the Orientation program. The "First-year Fiesta" allowed students to meet first-years from other faculties as well as student leaders through an engaging social event conducted on the Aula lawn. Werksmans Attorneys participated in the day's events, providing pupils with welcome treats and year planners, which all students enjoyed.

Professor Joel Modiri, Acting Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law, presided over the official faculty welcome, he delivered an address that resonated with the students: "An enormous pleasure to welcome you to the faculty of law at the University of Pretoria". He noted the Faculty's status as a top-ranked law school in the country and on the continent, assuring students that they would get exceptional legal training, preparing them to serve society and effect significant change. Professor Modiri's introduction emphasized the university's historical significance, having been founded in 1908, as well as the extraordinary opportunities it provides. He described the faculty's structure, comprising six academic divisions, each geared to developing well-rounded legal practitioners. Beyond academics, he underscored the abundance of extracurricular activities available, encouraging students to take use of these possibilities to improve their university experience. 

Professor Elsabé Schoeman, Dean of the Faculty, delivered a riveting address. She welcomed the first-year students and brought up UP law programme's continual improvement despite the rigorous admission requirements. "You're here because you're the best," she said firmly. "And together, as a faculty, we should strive to be the super best."She pointed out the significance of rankings, adding that they are affected not just by academic staff accomplishments, but also by student performance and international moot competitions. The Dean explained that UP Law does more than simply teach students to memorise information; it also promotes critical thinking, research-informed learning, and the ability to successfully sustain arguments. We prepare students for vocations that do not yet exist. This includes the development of critical, analytical, and interpersonal skills that bridge fields and professions, helping them to address society's most complex issues.

One of the most solemn components of orientation was the First-Year Oath, a ceremonial pledge that officially enrolled students to the Faculty of Law. This tradition, presided over by Justice Moseneke, stressed the ethical obligations associated with legal education. Students were reminded that the law is more than just information; it is about upholding justice and integrity. Professor Modiri presented an anti-plagiarism session that emphasized ethical academic practice. He emphasized that plagiarism is "a cardinal sin in academia" and that students must follow strict citation guidelines to maintain their credibility. Guiding students on email etiquette also taught them about the professional standards expected in university correspondence, preparing them to engage effectively in their academic and future legal careers. 

The student administration team, led by Mrs. Sesing-Letsike, guided students through the timetable explained by Ms. le Roux and Mr. Makua, who discussed the LLB cohort's norms, regulations, and procedures. Students were also advised on transferring from BCom or BA into LLB, ensuring that they were well-prepared for their academic careers. Mrs. Farhana Hassan then gave a talk presenting several study paths in LLB. The day wrapped up with an interactive session with the Adams & Adams graduate recruitment team sharing information about bursaries, their candidate attorney program, and holiday work options for students.

Orientation concluded with peer interactions with nine legal student societies: Law House, Women in Law, UP Moot Society, Legal Shebeen, Students for Law and Social Justice (SLSJ), Student Disciplinary Advisory Panel (SDAP), Black Lawyers Association Student Chapter (BLASC), National Association of Democratic Lawyers (NADEL), and Constitutional Tribunal. These interactions facilitated students to discover extracurricular activities and connect with others who shared similar interests. BOWMANS law firm collaborated with our students to provide information about the opportunities accessible to them.

Orientation Week aims to introduce freshers to the university environment, provide them with relevant information and resources to navigate their studies, and foster a a sense of community among UP Law students so the can develop lifelong relationships.

The Faculty of Law wishes all 2025 first-year students well.