Posted on February 04, 2025
The University of Pretoria (UP) is getting the 2025 academic year going by welcoming its new first-year students to campus during Orientation Week. Held between 3 and 7 February on Hatfield campus, Orientation Week is an annual activity-filled hybrid event to help students prepare for the academic year.
UP’s various faculties have different starting dates and programmes for this important week. The Faculties Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology; Health Sciences; Education; Natural and Agricultural Sciences; and Veterinary Sciences (BVSc 1) begin Orientation Week on 3 February; while the Faculties of Economic and Management Sciences; Humanities; Law; Theology and Religion; and Veterinary Sciences (BVSc 2) begin on 4 February.
Prior to Orientation Week, students are required to complete a pre-orientation module on their student portal. The second day of Orientation Week is presented online on ClickUP.
During the week, students get to know their lecture venues, meet their lecturers and learn how to register for modules. They also meet academic success coaches and explore the support structures available to them on campus, such as Student Health Services, where registered UP students can access primary healthcare, and the Student Counselling Unit.
All the information that’s conveyed to students during Orientation Week will better prepare them for the year and assist them to complete their degree in time. They learn how to construct good essays and how their timetable works, and are encouraged to have a social life outside academia by joining TuksSport or day houses, among other extracurricular activities.
“Orientation Week is a bit overwhelming, but still enjoyable,” said student Karabo Makena. “There is a lot of information being given all at once. However, meeting people who are doing the same degree as me makes this feel easier to go through as I am not alone.”
“I love how they have given us information beforehand,” said another student. “We know where to go when we are stressed or lost. Everything was also prepared and executed well. The programme helped us to know where to be at what time.”
For more information on Orientation Week or to access the programmes, students are advised to visit UP’s website. Alternatively, they can download the UP app on their phones to ensure they stay up to date.
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