Across South Africa, orientation week banners are coming down. The music has faded, the icebreakers are done, and the glossy promises of varsity life are giving way to something more serious. Lectures are filling up. Deadlines are approaching. And for thousands of first-year students, reality is setting in.
University has officially begun.
With no teacher chasing homework, no school bells structuring the day, and no parents hovering over routines, first-years are now fully responsible for their own time, money, meals and mental wellbeing.
“That buzz from O-week — the tours, the icebreakers, the promises of epic varsity life – was designed to ease you in and make your new journey feel less intimidating. But once it’s over and the structure vanishes, the gap between high school routine and uni independence slams home hard,” says Dingaan Moropane, Campus Head at The IIE’s Rosebank College.
And it is in that moment — when the glow fades — that the cracks often begin to show.
Homesickness creeps in. Motivation dips. Procrastination tightens its grip. The workload starts to feel heavier than expected.
The statistics reinforce the warning. South Africa loses a significant portion of first-year students early on, with estimates placing non-progression at around 35% after the first year, and overall dropout rates even higher before degrees are completed. For many, the slide begins right after orientation ends.
After O-Week = Time to Take Control
University is not a sprint. It is a marathon. The habits built in the first few months often determine whether students thrive, merely survive, or struggle later.
Moropane emphasises that recognising and avoiding classic rookie mistakes early can transform potential obstacles into stepping stones — building resilience, stronger academic performance, and a more fulfilling varsity experience.
Here are the five mistakes that derail first-years most often — and how to avoid them.
1. Skipping Classes and Treating Attendance as Optional
Many first-years assume lectures are flexible or skippable. They underestimate how quickly content builds and how valuable in-person explanations, engagement and discussion truly are.
Avoid it by:
Treating your timetable as non-negotiable. Attend every lecture. If you cannot attend, access official recordings promptly. Sit near the front. Take active notes. Ask questions. Participate.
Beyond improving marks, these habits help lecturers recognise you as a person — not just a student number.
2. Poor Time Management and Chronic Procrastination
Without school bells or constant reminders, deadlines creep up silently. The result? Rushed assignments, heightened stress, burnout and weaker submissions.
Avoid it by:
Using a planner — digital or physical — from day one. Workflow apps can help. Break assignments into smaller weekly tasks and start early. Consistent small efforts prevent last-minute panic and build steady momentum.
3. Isolating Yourself and Failing to Build a Support Network
Shyness, clinging to old high-school friendships, or feeling overwhelmed can lead to loneliness and missed opportunities for both academic and emotional support.
Avoid it by:
Attending campus and residence events. Joining at least one club or society. Introducing yourself to classmates. Organising study or coffee meet-ups.
Small, consistent efforts build friendships, study groups and a sense of belonging that can carry you through difficult periods.
4. Neglecting Physical and Mental Health
Irregular sleep, constant junk food, excessive partying or inactivity may feel manageable at first. But fatigue, lowered concentration and burnout follow quickly.
Avoid it by:
Prioritising eight hours of sleep. Scheduling balanced meals. Incorporating movement — whether walking, gym sessions or sports. Setting boundaries around socialising.
Self-care is not optional. It is the fuel that sustains long-term academic performance and wellbeing.
5. Not Seeking Help Early
Many students hesitate to approach lecturers, tutors or support services when they begin struggling. But universities invest significantly in student wellness resources for a reason.
Ignoring support services can mean missing out on guidance, clarification, extensions or early intervention that could prevent bigger setbacks.
Avoid it by:
Investigating available resources before you need them — including academic advising, counselling services, writing centres, career guidance, financial aid offices and tutors. At the first sign of trouble, reach out.
As Moropane stresses, help sought early can change outcomes dramatically.
Master the Systems, Build the Network
Beyond avoiding common mistakes, Moropane advises students to familiarise themselves quickly with campus systems and logistics.
“Explore the campus layout and learn how to use the learning management system (LMS). University logistics must become second nature, so that you can focus on dealing with the academic workload,” he says.
He also emphasises that first year is not too early to start building professional connections.
“In the highly competitive workplace facing today’s graduates, you need to build your professional reputation and profile consistently and over time, starting right now in first year. The good habits and great connections you form during your student years won’t just get you through varsity — they will set you up to stand out and thrive long after graduation.”
University freedom can feel intoxicating. But success in first year is not accidental. It is built through discipline, balance, connection and the willingness to ask for help.
The orientation glow may fade — but with the right habits, what replaces it can be far more powerful: confidence, competence and momentum that lasts well beyond graduation.
