Category Archives: Self Help

Self Help

To all First Years: Welcome to CPUT!

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Student Counselling is open to all students; on a walk-in, as well as a referral basis. We are a team of psychologists, social workers, career advisors and receptionists, there to be the heartbeat of wellness on campus. Sometimes frustrated students come to us and we refer them to the appropriate places for assistance, sometimes students unsure about their career/subject choices come see us and we help them decide what route to take, and other times it’s just life problems that bring students through our doors.

At this time of year plenty of First years often seek our help. We try to pay special attention to the needs of these first years (you guys), because we know the adjustment is often a little tougher than expected. Or perhaps you knew it would be tough, but you thought you would handle it better. Well, that’s where we come in – we would like to help you. Either come to us and see a counsellor for individual sessions or join a support group. Support groups are running on some of the campuses, these include: A men’s group, LGBTI group, exam preparation group and a first-year adjustment group, aimed specifically at helping first years with the adjustment to student life (Bellville and Cape Town Campuses).

Here are some basic things you can do or try to remember for this year:

  • You might feel lost and think that everybody seems so much more organised and clued-up than you, but remember, most students feel that way. Someone likely thinks you seem more organised than you feel.
  • If you attend class and stay relatively updated with class preparation you have already done half the work. The problem usually comes with procrastinating (putting off work you actually need to do), falling behind in class and then the next thing you know, you feel completely overwhelmed and unable to move forward. Just keep doing bits of work.
  • On the other side, you can’t work all the time and make no time for things you enjoy. It’s always important to take some downtime and rest your mind. During exam times, it is to be expected that you will study more, spend less times on leisure activities and maybe even sleep less – all the more reason to make sure you balance studying and relaxation during the rest of the year.
  • Try to suspend all judgements. University life is much more diverse than school and if you have moved from another city, there is even more to get used to. It might do you well to try and keep an open mind about people. You might disregard someone, based on preconceived ideas, whom could have been a valuable friend if you had given them the opportunity.
  • Try to expand your comfort zone. There are often things, places and people we feel comfortable with, and sometimes that is good enough. However, sometimes staying in that area of comfortability leads to us feeling stuck. Part of the university experience is to have experiences, try it (but be safe!).

Any students, first year or not, are welcome to report to their student counselling office if they are struggling to adjust to student life. We are here to help. For other opportunities of help, check out our Facebook page, watch out for competitions to win, events during the year and the launch of support or exam preparation groups on your campus.

Surviving Exams

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Exam times are stressful! Pressure to hand in assignments, get through all the work and the fear of failing are all concerns every student faces. This is on top of other “life stress” that’s going on; and as we know the life stress (relationship difficulties, issues with family, health problems etc) does not go away just because it’s exam time. However, NOW we need to prioritise: Passing the next subject is the most important thing!

Straight-forward things you need to remember when you are studying:
• Drink enough water – keep hydrated
• Take regular breaks – 60-90 minute sessions
• Deep breathing before you start, to put you in a calm and focused mind-space
Try this: Close your eyes. Inhale for three seconds through your nose, hold it for three seconds, now exhale for three seconds through your mouth. Repeat this four or five times and your mind will be calmer than when you started.

To help you get through the stressful time, remember to …
1. Do something you enjoy
When we are stressed, we don’t think about what we need and enjoy but rather what we must do. Understandably the ‘nice things’ are not important right now. However, we should try to strike some balance and include a little niceness during this stressful time. Think about what you enjoy: calling home and chatting to a family member, loudly listening to a song you love, dancing on your own/with a friend, reading a book or watching funny clips on the internet. Having something to look forward to, or a little time to relax is what helps keep us going.
2. Connect
Sometimes we become very isolated during the exams (intentionally or unintentionally). Seeing friends or family helps to give us perspective, to remind us that there is still a world out there. Chatting to friends who also write exams can be useful and perhaps become a support system; studying together or taking breaks together.
3. Stay positive
Look at the positive side of exams. You are on your journey working towards your goal. Think about the results you want to achieve and the future career you imagine yourself to have. Positive visualisation can help you feel inspired and motivated. It also helps you focus on what you WANT, rather than what you DON’T WANT.
4. Spend time outdoors
Taking a walk, being aware of your surroundings; the sights, sounds and smells, could be a wonderfully distracting and refreshing event. Just what your brain needs after you have been sitting inside a room staring at books and computer screens. A little bit of exercise boosts blood to the brain, which helps you stay focused.

Remember, examinations come and go, and are usually followed by a holiday 😊

Prioritise and be kind to yourself!

Nurture your Inner Child during Youth Month

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Within each and everyone of us exists a part that will never grow old. We psychologists call this the Inner Child. It is a part of you that represents all your childhood experiences, memories and feelings- good and bad. It is that part of you that is the most naturally innocent, playful, down-to-earth and whose approach to life is simple and straightforward. So, in keeping with the theme of this month and in particular Youth Day tomorrow, lets all take some time out to be kind to our own Inner Child. Here are seven things that you can say to heal and nurture your Inner Child:

inner child

  1. I LOVE YOU

Growing up love may not have been freely available or we learnt that we needed to accomplish certain goals in order to receive love. But now we can tell ourselves that we are loveable. Say it whenever you see yourself in the mirror, or at any random moments. Love is the key to healing, so give to yourself. Why not?

  1. I HEAR YOU

When we feel hurt we may push these and other uncomfortable feelings away because we are older and because we tell ourselves that we are supposed to be able to deal with them. This is a message we may have received during childhood or learnt from our parents. But these feelings never really go away and they continue to have an affect on daily lives. So instead of suppressing these feelings tell your inner child “I hear you. We’ll work through it. Its going to be okay”

  1. YOU DIDN’T DESERVE THIS

As a child we may have experienced situations where we treated badly and we believed that we deserved it. This thinking gets carried through into adulthood and and therefore we believe that we deserve the treatment we receive. But what we have to remember that a child is innocent and as adults we are are now able to understand that we did not and don’t deserve to be treated badly.

  1. IM SORRY

Somewhere we may have learnt that we needed to push ourselves really hard to achieve and criticise ourselves if we wanted to “play”. Say sorry to your inner child for not allowing her/him to play and enjoy everything that life has to offer.

  1. I FORGIVE YOU

Holding onto shame and regret is the quickest way to destroy yourself. We have to remember that the child’s interpretation is very different to that of an adult. Forgive youself for anything you thought you could have done better then.

  1. THANK YOU

Your inner child deserves your gratitude. Thank him/her for never giving up and trying to protect you in whatever she could and can to get you through the toughest and most painful experiences you may already have experienced.

  1. YOU DID YOUR BEST

Good enough, is good enough. Let go of perfection and the ever present fear of failure will dissipate. Being demanding and cruel no matter your achievements will only feed your fear. You did your best and that is good enough.

 

Lucy, C. (n.d.) 7 Things your inner child needs to hear. [Web blog post]. Retrieved from http://tinybuddha.com/blog-posts/

Milov, A. (2015). Love. [Sculpture]. Retreived from www.mymodernmet.com

Towards a healthier lifestyle

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Ever heard of the phrase: “holistic wellbeing? Try using the Google search engine and see what pops up. Technology makes me overwhelmed at times, especially with all the knowledge people state in blogs about “DO’s” and “DON’Ts”. I think Google has a way of mocking us due to all the articles available that creates confusion, stress and the “really” messages you tell yourself when you see the number of results when typing a single word.

Maintaining your holistic wellbeing refers to the way we look after ourselves in all aspects of life to enhance our quality of life (happiness, joy, relationships, sexual drive, social life, academics, career satisfaction etc.). However it sounds pretty and perfect but everyone knows we are not perfect. Where do we start? Firstly, we need to realise the importance of our entire body and our lifestyles but mindful of the personal responsibilities as well as commitment requirements. Our bodies are like machines, if one part of your body experiences discomfort; other parts of our body are affected. An example is “My throat is sore” would be an indication that you will get sick, and then you tell your whole body you need medication. Therefore we need to be mindful of our habits and actions. Reason being, our health is related to our lifestyles and environments we engage in.  For example, what we eat, drink, feel, exercise, and the toxins we exposed to affect our health. Vitamins, herbs, minerals etc., only helps for a few days if you remember to take them.  Below is an ideal health picture:
Pathways to wellness

In the image below is a nice depiction of what you may experience. Despite the sample population it’s directed to, I think it is relevant to us as well.

holistic system of wellness

Considerations for healthier you:

Physical wellness:

  1. You need to ask yourself whether your body is managing with the foods you are eating. Do you eat enough red meat, vegetables, fish, and other important foods to enhance your metabolism? So you a vegan or meat lover. Are you eating enough foods or over eating? How many diets have you been on and calculate the money you spent on them. Do you prefer take-aways or can you make food? Do you spend less time at home or near a stove and use take-aways as an alternative? Rate yourself below:
Eat healthy? 1 2 3 average 4 5 6 7

 

  1. Do you rest and sleep enough ? or do you rest too much and sleep too much? What are you doing to enhance you energy levels in you free time? Rate yourself rest and sleeping patterns
Sleep patterns 1 2 3 4 (8hours) 5 6 7
Rest Average

 

  1. What do you enjoy doing in you spare time? State your interests, talents and achievements. State your responsibilities and amount of free time. Rate how much time you spend doing things you love, passionate about or things that makes you happy atleast per week:
Happy 1 2 3 4 (average) 5 6 7

 

  1. How much energy do you have during the day? Ever feel you a big procrastinator or you always too tired to do things for yourself? Do you make up excuses to treat yourself or are you always spoiling others instead? Rate your energy levels on a daily basis and your level of drive to satisfy yourself.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

 

Below are a few suggestions for you to practice to maintain an optimal level of physical wellness.

  • Engage in physical activity every day for 30 minutes. You may break up your daily 30 minutes into 10 minutes bouts.
  • Use stairs instead of the elevator or escalator and walk whenever possible.
  • Learn to recognize warning signs when your body begins feeling ill.
  • Eat a variety of healthy foods and control your meal portions.
  • Maintain a regular sleep schedule and get between 7-9 hours of sleep each night.
  • Practice safe sex.

 

Emotional wellness

In life, we come across challenges that may drain us emotionally. We need time to overcome those challenges which identifies your healing process. However we also need to recognize where we were or what we went through in order to become driven, resilient, courageous and motivated. Being positive or optimistic is not only about the good things, its acknowledging the good and bad things to persevere despite your prior mistakes. How do we master emotional wellness?

  • Try to Surround yourself with positive people and try to use negative things in humour ( if we can talk about or laugh about a painful memory, we have healed)
  • Try to Smile every hour
  • Try to do something outside your comfort zone. No one gets it right the first time. Humanity was created to improve the outcomes of their mistakes.
  • Seek support and help when needed.
  • Show gratitude to friends and family to strengthen your relationship with them.
  • Practice being aware of yourself and nature either through meditation or expressing yourself through your talents.
  • Try to learn from your mistakes and don’t spend too much time on criticising yourself.
  • Find a balance in different aspects of your life.

Financial wellness

Explore available financial options such as applying for bursaries or looking for sponsors. Maybe check out part time or holiday jobs. Find out what are your talents and be innovative with it to get an income. An example if you like painting, why not sell some of them? The internet can also help you get an income if you’re and internet guru.

 

Environmental wellness

Environmental wellness means to be mindful of nature and respecting our surroundings. This promotes a spiritual interaction with nature and your personal environment. In essence we need to respect our surroundings and the people in it. An example of disrespecting someone’s right to environmental wellness is to litter on their front lawn or to damage property or invade someone’s personal space by breaking into their house.

Therefore we should be aware of our daily habits or actions and how it affects surroundings. An example would be: If you are smoking too much and your child starts coughing when he or she surrounds you, rather distance yourself whilst smoking to ensure fresh air in your child’s lungs. However if you feel your lungs are too week and you a regular smoker, why not reduce the number of cigarettes a day? This may enhance your lifestyle because if we are not fearful of getting flu or too low immune systems, we become more confident to tackle the world. Ways to master this is to recycle, conserve energy, volunteer in environmental organizations or spend time outdoors, reduce habits like smoking or drinking or fix your car if it smokes too much. It doesn’t have to be something big. For example we can throw a bottle in a recycle bottle bin. A healthy mind and body requires fresh air, clean water, clean areas or hygiene.

 

Intellectual wellness

This kind of wellness is about using your knowledge, skills, talents and competencies in creative and mentally-stimulating activities. Activities could help you to increase your knowledge and remember a teacher can also become a student… Intellectual wellness can be developed through academics, cultural involvement, community involvement and personal hobbies or other mind challenging activities. Intellectual wellness encourages learning and understanding. Intellectual wellness also increases curiosity. Curiosity is important because it motivates you to try new things and develop an understanding of how you see the relationship between yourself, others and the environment.

Below is a list of suggestions for you to adopt in order to enhance your intellectual wellness.

  • Be open-minded.
  • Listen. When you participate in active listening you are able to fully comprehend the information that is being given to you.
  • Pick up a hobby. Hobbies are great ways to increase your skill set. They can also be fun!
  • Travel. The best way to gain knowledge as well as an appreciation for another culture is to experience it yourself.
  • Express your creative side by exploring different avenues of creativity and artistic expressions.

Occupational wellness

This kind of wellness refers to our level of encouragement for our future careers and how it ensures personal satisfaction throughout our lives. Your attitude about work is a crucial influence for occupational development. Occupational wellness requires the ability and resources to explore career opportunities available to us. Occupational development usually identifies your skills, experiences, competencies and even talents which could enable you to pursue success. This could be both personally and professionally rewarding. Below are some suggestions to begin your journey to occupational wellness.

  • Reflect on yourself and your occupational needs. What occupational tasks do you enjoy? What occupational tasks do you find burdensome?
  • Explore both paid and un-paid work and volunteer opportunities that interest you.
  • Practice open communication and proper conflict management with your colleagues.
  • Set realistic career goals for yourself and constantly work towards accomplishing these goals.

 

Social wellness

Social wellness requires the ability to socially engage and maintain healthy relationships with peers, colleagues, family, friends, spouses or all people in your life. However we need to explore our identities in this social image. You need to ask yourself where do you fit in and what kind of personality do you have. Sometimes it is difficult for a shy person to speak to people if they do not know those people. You need to ask yourself what are the kinds of groups or friends I prefer or feel comfortable with. You also need to ask yourself what do you enjoy and what available activities are available where I could meet people. All of this constitutes a social being. We cannot grow up in isolation.

Maintaining social wellness allows you to practice empathy and active listening. There are many ways you can begin your journey on the route to social wellness. Below are some suggestions on how to enhance your social wellness.

  • Reflect on yourself and your social needs. What aspects of your social life do you enjoy? What parts would you like to improve?
  • Make an effort to keep in touch with supportive friends and family.
  • Practice self-disclosure.
  • Participate in group discussions and practice active listening.
  • Join a club or organization.

 

Spiritual wellness

Spiritual wellness allows us to be in tune with our spiritual selves. This realm of wellness lets us find meaning in life events and define our individual purpose. Spiritual wellness can be defined through various factors including religious faith, values, ethics and morals.

Explore your inner self. Take time to think about who you are.

  • If you experience a life-changing event, take a few minutes to think about what series of events led to this.
  • Spend time meditating or practicing mindful relaxation.
  • Practice acceptance.
  • Be curious. If something happens that makes you even the slightest bit curious, take a moment to explore the experience a little deeper.
  • Look for a religious faith that you agree with.

 

Please click on the below links to increase your knowledge about healthy living

Happy wellness living everyone.

 

Written by Carinne Petersen, Student Counselling Bellville BPsych Intern

 

References:

http://indigointernational.org/holistic-health-practices/

https://shcs.ucdavis.edu/wellness/spiritual/#.Vv0u7rcaK1s

http://www.prevention.com/mind-body/10-minute-health-and-wellness-tips

 

Turn your hopes into reality in 2016 by writing a letter to yourself

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Most of us start every January with the announcement of our goals and resolutions for the upcoming year. The start of a new year comes with the opportunity for a fresh start. For most however, these resolutions are quickly forgotten. It is estimated that only 8% of those who make New Year’s resolutions actually stick to them.

As an alternative to New Year’s resolutions we propose writing a Hope Letter as a means of motivating yourself to make positive, substantial changes to your life. When we write down how we will achieve our hopes and dreams, we are more successful in making them come true.

To write your own Hope Letter just follow these 3 easy steps:

1. Write it down
Address the letter to yourself; date it one year from the day of writing it and sign it at the bottom, thus a hard copy is best.

2. Don’t limit yourself
Think deeply about all the aspects of your life, including: career, academics, health, family, relationships, spirituality, fun and community. Imagine in which ways these aspects of your life might look different if you achieved all of your goals. How would you like to grow in these areas?

3. Be Accountable
Put the letter in an envelope, seal it and give it to a partner/dear friend/family member for safe keeping. Ask the person to return the letter to you one year from the day that you gave it to them.

Upon opening this letter one year in the future, you’ll be surprised by the ways in which you may have grown and how different your outlook might be.

Best wishes for the year ahead!

Are you feeling tired, frustrated, overloaded and overwhelmed?

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A website called “Pixel Thoughts,” provides a simple solution to put your worrying thoughts into perspective.

To start off, the opening page features a large bright star in the centre that prompts you to write down your stressful thought.

Accompanied with calm and soothing music, you then watch the star containing your stressful thought slowly becoming one of the many tiny stars glowing in the background. As the clock ticks on, the site reminds you about how small your worry is in the grand scheme of things.

This simple yet effective website is ideal for anyone who just needs a small break from the exam stress.

http://www.pixelthoughts.co/

How to Invest Your Time Wisely

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“If only I had more time!” How often have you said that? In a sense, time is a universal leveler, because the powerful and rich have no more of it than do the lowly and poor. Furthermore, neither the rich nor the poor can accumulate time. Once it is gone, it is gone forever. The course of wisdom, then, is to make good use of the time we have. How? Consider four strategies that have helped many people to invest their time wisely:

  • Be Organized
  • Prepare a to-do list of things that are important or urgent or both, keeping in mind that what is important.
  • Think ahead Set aside or eliminate nonessential tasks, which do little more than consume time and energy. If you find that you have time on your hands because you have caught up on your work, why not move on to a job that is scheduled for later? By thinking ahead, you increase your productivity
  • Simplify your life. Learn to say no to things that are unimportant or that do little more than consume time. Too many activities and appointments can add needless stress and can rob you of joy

 

  • Avoid Time Stealers
  • Procrastination is a thief of both time and productivity. A farmer who waits until conditions are perfect may never sow seed or reap his harvest. Similarly, we could allow life’s uncertainties to make us indecisive. Or we may feel that we have to wait until we have every scrap of relevant information before making a decision. To be sure, important decisions warrant research and deliberation.
  • Perfectionism Of course, high standards are commendable! Sometimes, though, we might set standards so high that we invite disappointment and even failure. A person learning another language, for example, must be prepared to make mistakes, aware that he will learn from these. A perfectionist, however, would likely shudder at the thought of saying something incorrectly—an attitude that would impede his progress

 

  • Be Balanced and Realistic
  • Balance your studies and recreation Workaholics often deprive themselves of the fruitage of their “two handfuls of hard work.” They simply have no time or energy left. The lazy, on the other hand, opt for “two handfuls” of rest and squander precious time.
  • Do not scrimp on sleep Most adults need about eight hours of sleep a night to gain the full physical, emotional, and cognitive benefits. Concerning the latter, sleep is a sound investment of time because it aids in concentration and consolidates memories, thus fostering learning. Sleep deprivation, however, impedes learning and contributes to accidents, errors, and irritability. Dr Khwezi Nyewe (Educational Psychologist/ Student Counselor, Cape Town Campus)

Eating on the run…

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pic1 art3According to an article by authors Adam Smith and Dr Robert Verkerk (June 2013), six, eight and nine minutes is the average time Brits spend eating their breakfast, lunch and dinner, respectively – 23 minutes in total for their day’s eating!

With today’s fast paced lifestyle where we try to cram in as much as we can into a day, eating on the run has become extremely common.

The busy life of a student can become very demanding at times, and it’s not uncommon to grab the fastest and easiest meal choices – which are not always the healthiest, either!

Being away from home and living in residence means that you are also responsible for preparing your own meals.  This can be challenging, especially if you are pressed for time or share a communal kitchen space!

Snacking can be part of a healthy eating plan.  Pack a lunch box – it’s more economical, can reduce fat, calories and sodium in your diet, and you can take it anywhere!  When making your mid-morning or mid-afternoon snacks, choose healthy food rich in nutrients.  Healthy snacks can stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent over eating.  A snack is not a meal – so watch your portion size.  How much you eat will depend on your activity level.

Also try to ease up on the coffee, and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water!

pic5 art3Here are some tips to get you snacking healthily on quick, easy and nutritious eats to fuel your day:

  • Dried fruit, nuts and seed
  • Fruit smoothie made with yoghurt
  • Boiled eggs
  • Homemade cereal bars or muffins
  • Cottage cheese or peanut butter as a topping to whole grain bread or biscuits
  • Greek yoghurt with chopped fruit
  • Hummus with raw vegetables

pic7 art3  You are welcome to check out the websites below for more great ideas to eat on the go!

Sources

http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-eats/healthy-snacks/7-healthy-pack-and-go-snack-ideas?slide=8#YQL1Jdtb7w6OZs1E.97

http://www.fitbie.com/slideshow/15-healthy-grab-and-go-snacks

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/17/mindless-snacking_n_6094700.html

http://www.webmd.com/diet/brown-bag-lunches-snacks

http://www.health.com/health/gallery/thumbnails/0,,20855303,00.html

http://naturallysavvy.com/eat/healthy-eating-tips-for-a-busy-lifestyle

http://www.wellaware.co.za/food-for-a-fast-paced-lifestyle/

http://www.lovethispic.com/image/46453/healthy-eating-leads-to-increased-awesomeness

http://www.eatingwell.com/food_news_origins/green_sustainable/5_ways_to_green_up_your_lunch_box?page=5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excel in the first term!

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Classes have commenced about a month ago, and, hopefully, you are having stimulating class discussions and enjoying the excitement and buzz of university life!

As you probably have experienced by now, the life of a student can suddenly become extremely busy!  You have also probably already been informed about your first assignment and test due dates, and possibly feeling a bit stressed too!  Remember, the decisions and actions you take now will greatly impact on your academic experience.

article 1   Here are some tips that may help you during this critical time and assist you on your way to breezing through the first term:

  • Get organized.  Improve your time management skills by using a diary, a weekly study time table, a term and semester planner, and a daily to do list.  Plot due dates of tests, exams and assignments and place in an area where you can monitor when these are due.  Try to beat procrastination by setting deadlines and sticking to them.

 

  • Attend ALL your lectures.  When your alarm goes, don’t be tempted to continue to press the snooze button and sleep in.  I know it’s hard, but get up!  Need I say more…?

 

  • Spend your “free time” wisely by being productive.  Unlike school, you may find that you have some “free time” in your university schedule, either between classes, or when your classes start later or finish earlier.  It’s tempting, especially with the great weather, to just sit and chill by chatting to friends in the cafeteria or outside on the lawn next to the pool.  But remember, moderation is key.  Use your “free time” productively by reading up on your various study subjects, do research, or work on your assignments, or study for tests.

 

  • Use the resources on your campus.  Find out about workshops, accessing self-help material, tutors, and agencies that offer study support.  Improve your knowledge and develop skills by attending workshops offered by various agencies on the CPUT campuses, and logging onto the CPUT website to access videos on study skills support that cover topics such as motivation, study skills, time and stress management,  that will assist you in improving your self- management, and in turn, your academic performance.

 

  • Study independently.  Use your coursework guide to plan ahead by reading for class, set goals for yourself so that you work consistently and keep up with the pace.  If necessary, develop new learning styles.

 

  • Set goals.  Set achievable goals for yourself when it comes to your coursework, assignments, tests and exams, and work hard toward achieving them.

 

  • Get involved on campus.  Get to know the various organizations, clubs and sports teams on your respective campuses.  It’s a great way to make new friends and learn new skills… and a great antidote to loneliness, especially if you are feeling homesick!

 

  • Moderation is key.  You know what they say, “all work and no play…”  Seek balance in your social and academic life.  Don’t forget to make time for you.  Learn techniques that can help you relax and manage your stress.  Get enough sleep and eat a balanced diet.

 

  • Your study space.  Find a place that works for you, be it the university library, your room at home or in residence, as long as you can avoid distractions.

 

  • Learn to budget.  Part of being independent is learning how to manage your money, which means sticking to a budget.  Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for many students to only learn this skill when they start university, especially when they have to manage their bursary money.

 

  • Seek help when you need it.  It’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed from time to time as a student.  You are not alone.  Professional, confidential counselling services are offered free of charge on ALL CPUT campuses.

art1 pic2   Make the most of opportunities being offered by various agencies that provide student and study skills support, and you will be on your way to a successful university career.  You will be equipped with knowledge, skills and habits that not only contribute to you excelling academically, but in your future career as well!  Now that’s really great, isn’t it!

Sources

http://galleryhip.com/happy-college-graduates.html

http://www.limcollege.edu/about-lim/1164_2880.aspx

http://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/health-and-support/starting-university-what-expect

http://www.quintcareers.com/first-year_success.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A warm welcome to ALL FIRST YEAR students!!!

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article2

“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.”  Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr 

Few things beat that indescribable feeling of reading your letter of acceptance to your favourite university!

Your journey to unlocking your wildest dreams has indeed, commenced!

It’s exhilarating to know that you hold the power to unlock opportunities to realize your dreams and carve out an absolutely awesome future for yourself!  This is, of course, also an enormous responsibility.

Yes, guys and girls, with university study comes a great deal of responsibility, and at times, even sacrifice.  On your journey you may experience peaks and valleys.  When the road becomes winding and you start to become weary, do not fret!  Help is available… all you need to do is ask!  

Just pop around to one of the Student Counselling units on your respective campuses and book an appointment with one of the student counsellors.  We are trained professionals to help you on your journey to success!  You will hear more about us in your orientation sessions held on the various CPUT campuses.

And remember; NEVER EVER lose the HUNGER to acquire new KNOWLEDGE by being an ETERNAL student!!!

So go on, DARE to dream BIG!!!

Oh, and, yes, there is one thing that beats the feeling of being accepted to your favourite university… achieving your goals, especially after you have worked exceptionally hard!!!

“The only failure is not to try”.  George Clooney

All the best

Sources:

 

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/g/georgecloo174782.html

 

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/o/oliverwend109160.html

 

http://healthythoughts.in/2012/12/12/motivational-inspirational-quotes-thoughts/imagine-believe-achieve/