On 27 May 2022, the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Pretoria hosted its first ever Lift-Off event for first-year students.

With input and support from the Teaching and Learning Committee, House Theology and the Office of Student Advising, the Faculty used Lift-Off 2022 to improve the level of engagement its new students on campus experienced with one another, as well as with their academic programmes by presenting a series of four unique sessions over the course of the day:

• Academic Writing Workshop – Junior lecturers in the faculty shared advice and suggestions on how to more accurately complete assignments and exams, in so far as literary style and citation methods are concerned.
• Lunch and Social Gathering – The faculty student advisor organised a light lunch, served in the outdoor courtyard by the Musaion, as well as a mixer intended to build peer-to-peer relationships amongst the students.
• Expert Panel Discussion – University staff who lead programmes which offer various forms of support shared more about the resources at their disposal through speeches and conversation in a Q&A format.
• Informal Personal Fellowship – House Committee members welcomed all guests to join them for music, dance, refreshments and some relaxed relationship building near the Holye, behind the Theology building.

As the University of Pretoria community transitions back to connecting less on-line and more on-site, events like Lift-Off 2022 can be used as an example of how to orient, or re-orient students, helping them understand anew the importance of being present with one another, with their lecturers and with all the other people that want to help them FLY@UP!