The Academic Advising Office in the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) on the University of the Free State (UFS) Qwaqwa Campus hosted an Academic Advising activation under the theme: Unombuzo? Tloho o tlo botsa adviser ya hao for undergraduate students on 12 July 2024 in preparation for the second semester.
The event was aimed at assisting students to reach their full potential and strive for academic success. It marked the starting point for students to prepare for the second semester of their academic year in stride.
Increase student use of academic advising services
CTL aims to advance evidence-based innovation that promotes excellence in learning and teaching for student access with success.
The objective of the activation was to increase the visibility of academic advising on the Qwaqwa Campus. The goal was also to increase students’ use of the various general academic advising services. The Advising Office noticed that not many students attended general advising sessions in the last semester, which inspired the activation as well as the introduction of the newly appointed transition advisers.
The Advising Office urges students to attend time management and study strategy sessions. The office also assists students in collaboration with the faculties, Student Counselling and Development, residences, the No Student Hungry office, Career Services, and other stakeholders at the university.
Success of the event
The event was a great success, as 120 students showed up and had the opportunity to speak face to face to the advisers. Alongside the advisers, a curriculum adviser from the Faculty of The Humanities, representatives from University Estates, the CTL office, and Transition Development and Success were in attendance.
The advising team was able to introduce advising to students, listen to their concerns, and provide short general advising opportunities. Students were treated to some goodies at the event and were given a chance to enter a competition through a survey, which will result in four lucky students winning exciting prizes. Students had a great time, taking pictures, videos, and dancing to the music at the venue.
If students missed this opportunity, there will be more opportunities to meet the team through advising pop-ups:
• 26 July 2024 – Dining Hall
• 2 August 2024 – UFS Taxi Rank
• 16 August – Outside Fulufhelo Residence
• 13 September – Notice boards near the Intsika Building
Where to find your advisers
• Intsika Building, Ground Floor, Offices: 0030, 0043, 0044
The activation’s objectives were to
• increase the visibility of academic advising on campus;
• increase student use of academic advising services;
• make students aware of the services offered by Academic Advising; and
• share different ways with students to connect with the advising team and how to set up appointments with their advisers.