I can without hesitation say my first year at UKZN was really good!
This is according to Ms Andrea Kemraj, who is currently in the second year for her Bachelor of Administration (BBA) degree at UKZN’s School of Management, IT and Governance (SMIG). A lot of the credit for this goes to First Year Experience (FYE) mentors who assisted Kemraj make a smooth crossing from school to university.
The First-Year Experience (FYE) is a Programme where first-year students are paired with mentors – fellow undergraduates in their second or third year who provide guidance and support throughout their initial year of university life. This is also accomplished through a range of activities, including extensive orientation, workshops and social events aimed to arm them with essential skills for higher education success.
‘Having mentors made the transition from high school to University less daunting. The first year of university puts you to the test so it was nice to know I had people there to help me navigate it,’ said Kemraj.
Getting a merit award in the first semester of her first-year studies and passing Economics 101 BBAP1E1 and Management Science BBAP1MS modules with A’s are testimony to the support she received from her mentor.
‘I want to excel in more of my modules, hopefully receive more awards and at the end of three years, graduate with high marks.’
Before registering as a first-year student, Kemraj did a lot research, discovering UKZN degrees have international standing. ‘And that is something I want for my degree’, she said.
Words: Samukelisiwe Cele
Photograph: Supplied