MIS for BeWell 2016

I'd like to think that I was successful in providing the newcomers with support and assistance. This is because they had no hesitations or fear to approach me and ask deep meaningful questions. They felt comfortable enough to ask at any hour of the day and had no problem with greeting me in public. Often our interactions were mutual which I personally enjoyed a lot because it came across that they saw me as their friend instead of in a personal capacity. I think I was successful because I saw them grow from the first week at the university to where they are now. They have clearly made themselves at ease and slotted into the community without any problems. I was also able to give them the correct information they needed in a timely manner. Thus I believe I was successful as they have personally told me that they are enjoying every minute of the university experience.

Feedback from Nemesia

Yes I do. I loved being a ready and available support for my mentees. Every Mentee was different in what they needed and required from me. I worked hard to make sure I knew each of them well enough to mentor properly. And I think for the most part I succeeded.

Feedback from Nemesia

I hope so. I tried my best to to be at all the activities and group sessions to show to the mentees that I am present and part of the welcoming program. This also created the opportunity for newcomers to come to a mentor if they had any problems because I remember when I was a newcomer it was easier to talk to a mentor rather than HC. Also making Newcomers feel welcome to share their problems and good experiences it makes them feel part of Nemesia and more welcome.

Feedback from Lydia

Yes. Last year was a very challenging year for the newcomers and this year although we thought it was going to be a bit more certain was also very uncertain. I do think that being back on campus helping the mentees adjust in the new environment by being physically by their side was successful.

Feedback from Equite

)I believe that I was successful in the support and assistance for my newcomers was successful since I was very honest with them. I told my mentees from the beginning of welcoming that I believe that to give them the best advice I had to be honest with them with the difficulty of university in terms of academic achievement and time management. I also believed that honesty was the best option so that they can be properly prepared and not be fooled into thinking that university is simply welcoming week. In terms of feedback it was mostly positive in that my mentees said that they appreciated my honesty and that they would more prepared if I was honest with them. As such I believe that they were successfully prepared because of the honest advice I have given them.I was not afraid to say that university was difficult the workload could be too much or that this was time that they would make mistakes. I told them that what made them successful students and people was not simply about getting good marks but rising above the adversity which they faced and working harder towards their goals. I also believe I was successful because of the amount of effort I put into my mentoring journey which also made them sufficiently prepared. I believe that I always made myself available for them. I took time to write messages consistently to check up on how they are doing if they were struggling and that I am always available if they have any questions. As such I think that they had sufficient mentor support and that if they needed anything they could simply ask me and I would make myself available. I also believe that I had given some of them sufficient material in terms of exam preparation and how to adjust in the university environment in terms of workload etc. Lastly I believe that I was successful because I had taken time to get to know them as people and not simply as my mentees. I believe that my journey went beyond academics and I always tried to make sure that they knew they had a friend. I would often check up on them in terms of mental health and I also took an interest in their personal lives in terms of giving advice when I thought they felt stressed anxious or depressed. I think that this is an important aspect of being a mentor because I believe that this phase in their life is important for them as growing adults as well. For some of the mentees I was lucky enough to get to know important aspects of their journey whether that be issues regarding identity or issues within their own household. I always extended a branch to make sure that they knew I was there.

Feedback from Hippokrates

YES! Watching how my mentees grew from when they came at first as shy and little seedlings to them growing into these fierce and strong warriors who had more courage than fear made me realise that I provided enough assistance and did my part in helping them integrate into this new life.

Feedback from Equite

I think I did as I have done my best to provide them with the necessary information that they need and I have equipped them on what to expect during their first and second semester. Some of them are really independent since they have taken a gap year and/or have friends who were already studying here or siblings who were doing the same course as them. But they do seek my advice and guidance and I have provided them a huge platform to seek out my help if they may need anything in any aspects of their lives and they do so but not as much as I would like them to because they have not been making use of the mentor sessions nor the availability of a mentor. However I am grateful to have met such strong-willed and independent individuals who have adapted so well into university and I am so glad I got to begin their university journey with them.

Feedback from Nemesia

Yes I think I was as successful as I possibly could be in providing support and assistance to the newcomers. Doing uni in the midst of a pandemic is quite difficult but I managed to get through it last year thus I could truly help them transition from high school to uni. I could easily put myself in their shoes and meet them in their midst.

Feedback from Nemesia

Feedback from Equite

I would like to think yes I did because I have received some positive feedback from my mentees.

Feedback from Equite

Yes I do think I was successful as there was many instances where Newcomers did not know anybody around them or at the activity during welcoming and would feel safe and comfortable to come and talk to me which was my goal making people feel welcome and accepted. There was a time when my one mentee came late to the orientation week and felt lost and overwhelmed but the moment I told her that I will help her sort out everything a sigh of relief was let out as she felt like she didn't have to worry and could trust in me. Later she sent me a lovely message thanking me for everything which made my heart happy. Just for my mentees to have my number to phone or message when they were unsure about things was very helpful as I did all the admin and they just had to pitch up at the time and place indicated. After Orientation week my newcomers stated that work was a lot and my one mentee asked me to help her with her time management. I send t her a list of Do's and Don'ts and things I learnt that I wish someone had told me to make my transition easier. I told her to give it a week or two and report back. She told me that she has had time to complete what was needed for the days' academics as well as time to make new friends and this news made me thrilled for her part. The newcomers often did not know who to contact to get certain information so I would step in and refer them to the right people which assisted them in a way that they had to sort their own things out after they knew who to contact.

Feedback from Osler

Yes I feel like I was beneficial in guiding my mentees through the adjustment from high school into university. I answered their questions and concerns and we had regular discussions about what was going on in their university lives.I think I helped them feel more comfortable at university especially since there were worries about it being online so my mentees felt like they would not know anyone or be able to make friends. I gave them advice on socializing and we also formed bigger discussions with other groups so they got to know other mentees outside of our circle.I got to know my mentees personally and hopefully I made them feel like they could come to me for advice on anything they were struggling with at campus. Over time they had fewer issues with admin and academics and I felt like they adjusted well to their environment.

Feedback from Nemesia

I think I was successful. I don't think I played a role in their lives every single day however I do feel being there for them did make a large impact.I know coming into res can be very intimidating and I feel just the fact that I was there and willing to help comforted them a lot.I also helped them with a lot of questions they had about campus and how things work at Stellenbosch.The mentees in my group also became friends quickly and I feel this allowed them to reach out to others in first year as well.

Feedback from Silene

Yes i do think i was successful in providing support during their transition. I think i had a very successful welcoming week with my mentees which prepared them very well for the year. I made myself readily available if they ever had any questions which seemed to be a great help when they needed assistance in regards to assessment policies and the purchasing of textbooks. Unfortunately due to the fact that majority of the year was online and not all my mentees were in the stellenbosch area (we are a PSO and most of them had to commute to campus) i was unable to see them face to face. But they seemed to be prepared with the online learning.

Feedback from Equite

Yes I believe that I really tried my best to ensure that they were equipped with as much information as possible. Seeing as I did not studying accounting I wondered how I was going to be able to ensure the transition academic-wise. However I made contact with one of my friends who is studying Accounting and sat down with her to ensure that I knew as much as possible about the field and what they might want to know heading into it. So I truly believe I tried to inform myself the best I possibly can regarding their academic field in order to help them and assure them. Not only along those lines but I also applied my own knowledge on simple questions I needed when I was in my first year which was guides to using mysun how to use your timetable how to navigate sunlearn and even drawing up their Van Der Sterr building to ensure they could find their way on the first day. I made it my mission to check in and clock in with them regularly through WhatsApp and through mentoring sessions to see how they were progressing socially and mentally with the transition. A message or a one-on-one coffee was crucial in building those relationships and ensuring them that they are always welcome to text call or see me. I truly believed that these little bit of extra guides and advice from my personal experience helped them to navigate the best way forward for them in all dimensions whether it be social occupational or academic.

Feedback from Equite

I feel that I could have tried a lot harder and done more to make it an even better transition but id like to believe that I was somewhat successful in helping them transition into their environment. I think the wellness sessions during welcoming especially really had a massive impact on them because I address a lot of the information and tips and tricks i wanted to address with them during that time before the actual starting of classes and during classes helping them by answering any questions or giving advice regarding similar modules I had sending some encouragement.

Feedback from Serruria

Yes I do think I was successful in providing my mentees and the rest of the newcomers in my residence with support and constant assistance as they adjusted to university and residence life. I always tried my best to be friendly and welcoming which was noticed by the newcomers/my mentees as I was approached throughout welcoming week and up until now for any small or big concern they have. I definitely think my bubbly personality helped the newcomers/my mentees to feel comfortable and at ease to come forward and ask questions they needed answers on. I provided them with all the tools and resources the university offers and my academic mentees received all the information regarding their individual degrees and contact persons within our faculty for future reference. I also encouraged the ladies to embrace the new territory and see it as an opportunity to grow and meet new people. I could see their adjustment in res happened quite quickly and smoothly as they formed friendships and made effort to meet their fellow sisters in res. Their adjustment to campus life also went relatively well as they met people and found their feet quickly.

Feedback from Equite

Yes By answering the many questions they have had to the best of my ability, sharing my advice and knowledge, and in general just being there for them, I do believe that I have provided them with enough support and assistance in order for them to have successfully transitioned to university

Feedback from Equite

I think I managed support and assist my mentees into adjusting into the university environment due to I would send messages to the group to check up on them as well during our sessions, I saw that my mentees were adjusting well into the new university environment and I always tried to help them when they would message me about any concerns or queries that they may have Some of them have told me that showing them around campus helped a lot due to they were able to find their in person classes I would also try to keep them up to date with what CUAs were open so that they had different places to go to during exams to study before we entered level 4 I also made sure to keep them up to date with what was going on in the university I really do think my mentees manage to transition well into their new environment and that makes me feel glad

Feedback from Equite

Yes, I was definitely successful in helping my mentees with support and assistance I was always there for them if they needed to chat or wanted to now something I bend backwards for them if they needed something or needed help I made sure that if they had something to ask me they could and that I was available to them

Feedback from Minerva

I personally think I did and tried my best, despite the circumstances All my mentees were quite nervous and anxious about their new journey, but I managed to change their mind during welcoming and told them about all the positive things about university There was a few times when I was able to assist and help my mentees when they struggled academically with the changes of university I also think I really helped my mentees to settle in at res and help them through the process, since none of them had stayed on a hostel before

Feedback from Equite

Yes, I do feel like I was successful in providing the mentees with support and assistance during their adjustment and transition to Stellenbosch University During the third wave of Covid-19 it became hard to meet up with the newcomers in person, but that did not stop us from trying to help one another with our struggles and to keep in touch We regularly check in with the group through WhatsApp which became the main resource for communication Although we could not physically help each other, we still had regular discussions about our troubles or situations we found ourselves in Everybody chipped in by giving their opinion towards the troubles or situation which led to some very good advice!

Feedback from Equite

yes, I think i was able to provide newcomers with support and assistance in the adjustment and transition in their university environment I had a mentee who struggled at the beginning of the year from moving far from home and not having friends I invited her to a social group and she gained intentional friends She has learnt how to be independent and is adjusting wellMost of my mentees have become friends and adjusted to university life well

Feedback from Heemstede

Yes, I think that I guided my mentees in such a way that they are now fully submerged and comfortable in Res and university lifestyle Throughout the first two terms, I have seen them come into their own and I believe that they no longer feel as if they are newcomers, but rather that they are at home

Feedback from Equite

Yes, I do think I was successful in providing newcomers with support and assistance in the adjustments and transitions in their new university environment I have made myself available to them not only in person throughout the Welcoming period, but also online through WhatsApp I have utilized the Welcoming period in a way that the newcomers can become more comfortable with me and towards each other and I have used as many oppertunities as I possibly coulod to intigrate applicable circumstances and or examples of how things should be and possibilities of how to cope with certain circumstances that they might face I have given them all the needed information for their journey at their faculty and I have given them ideas and tips in order for them to be able to cope with this new change I have also given the advice as to what to do if they were not able to cope and made the necessary resources available to them in case of emergency I have also made sure that the newcomers have found comfort amongst each other

Feedback from Equite

During the adjustment and transition period for the newcomers, it was difficult to communicate with the newcomers but I was able to provide them with all the information that they needed and as much assistance as they needed and more Whether or not they used what was provided to them or actively asked for assistance was dependent on the individual newcomer I think I was successful in helping my newcomers have a more realistic and positive attitude towards university and helped them to understand the workload and difficulty difference between high school and university

Feedback from Nerina

This year has been a huge growth process Seeing how my mentees have come into the year scared and fresh out of high school and now seeing them becoming so close to the friends they have made within our mentor group I have been privileged enough to walk a path with one of my mentis and help her grow through challenging times with finding herself and embracing who she is My mentees have become extremely self efficient and it feels as though they don't need me anymore - which is both sad yet satisfying to know that they are on their own path and feel confident enough now to journey on their own

Feedback from Metanoia

I believe that I, alongside my co-mentor, were able to create an environment wherein our newcomers were able to engage with all facets of university life while having a strong support system to guide them through any troubles Therefore, I am confident to say that we have been successful in providing the support to allow our mentees to transition into the new university environment The transition did not come without any bumps in the road, which at first made me question the job that I did as a mentor However, I quickly learnt that a seamless transition was not one which was symbolic of being a 'good mentor' Rather, my co-mentor and I were able to be there for our mentees when they struggled, we were able to help guide them through the difficult moments, and we fostered a group that truly cared for each other and who wanted to see each other thriveFor these reasons, I look back on my mentor journey this term fondly I am proud of the people that my mentees have grown into Further, I can see the potential which each one of them holds to be leaders and mentors to those around them - whether in a professional capacity or just as a friend I believe that each one of our mentees has the capability to be successful at the University of Stellenbosch as well as in Metanoia Therefore, through their hard work, and hopefully our guidance as mentees, we were successful with support and assistance in the adjustment and transition into their new university environment

Feedback from Metanoia

I feel like I did everything I could to have helped my mentees with their transition I answered their questions and I gave them the support I would have wanted if I was in their position and what I remembered getting last year I do think I was successful with providing them with the assistance and support

Feedback from Metanoia

Yes, I do think I was My mentees always knew that i was there for them, i was that shoulder to cry on, that ear to listen to Adjusting to university life is of course a massive challenge and one that i needed to adapt to when I, myself, was a newcomer So with me knowing this, I made the environment as accomadating as possible, encompassing an environment in which we could share our feelings, our thoughts, what we are nervous about coming into university, what we are excited for etc I made it a an environment where we can make it light-hearted, share memes, share WhatsApp stickers, or share anything that would put a smile on each other's faces This helped contribute to assist with transitioning into university I had an open-door policy as well, which allowed my mentees to come to me whenever they wanted, and share whatever was on their chest This further contributed to helping my mentees transition into a new environment

Feedback from Metanoia

Yes, I do I believe that I did everything I could to help ease them into the university experience I provided as many tips and tricks as I could and offered advice I worked with an open door policy, which all of my mentees utilized I offered academic help (sometimes beyond what was expected of us as described in the mentor role) and emotional support where needed and appropriate My mentees have also verbally expressed to me that advice I gave them on navigating their new environment has helped them, be it Stellenbosch as a university or as a town (since I as well as half of my mentees are from far away) I think I used my position to the best of my abilities and helped to give my mentees a sense of belonging and direction

Feedback from Metanoia

I do believe i was successful in this regard The conversations i have with my mentees at this time are very positive I feel they have adjusted very well into both residence and university and do feel i have provided assistance in this

Feedback from Metanoia

Yes I think I was successful in providing support and assistance in the transitioning of my menteesAn example of this was seen with one of my mentees who in the beginning was kind of shy with how he wanted to stay in his room most of the time Seeing how he is now, he seems a lot more comfortable He interacts with not just the people in his section but people in the other sections as well I'm happy for him

Feedback from Metanoia

I would say yes They all seem very well adjusted and content with their current circumstances All seem to be all right

Feedback from Serruria

Absolutely. I always availed myself to the newcomers and provided resources where needed.

Feedback from Equite

Yes as stated previously I definitely encouraged independent thinking and problem solving. I tried my best to explain to them that they are liable for their own successes or lack thereof. I constantly attempted to create such an atmosphere where they would feel comfortable enough to ask my anything at anytime (whether in person or via social media communication).

Feedback from Minerva

Yes I believe I was. I have created great bonds with them and believe I assisted them in everything that they needed me for. I have seen them flourish and grow and they have become extremely independent in their university environment yes there are still some things they ask me for however I believe by the end of my term they will be fully equipped to be independent.

Feedback from Serruria

I definitely do think I was successful in giving support and assistance. My main goal was to show the mentees that I am there for them and help them in their adjustment. One of the biggest difference was the conversations where I decide to just knock on their door and see how they are doing. Many good conversations came out of this because it was a chance for them to truly reflect on how they were feeling in that moment. I have very independent mentees so they were not very reliant on me or needed much help so I think just having these conversations served as a small reminder that there is still someone who cares even though they didn't need anything from me. I am also not a person who is too overbearing or too much in someone's space and I think this really helped the newcomers because toward the end of the year they were really not needing as many conversations about adjusting and I was able to understand this and give them some space.

Feedback from Nemesia

I enjoyed the mentor experience and feel that I bonded with my mentees and contributed to them feeling comfortable and welcomed in residence. I can see how much my mentees have grown since the first day they got here. They have gained confidence in their abilities in and outside of residence. I supported them wherever I could whether it was answering their questions learning them how to use different university platforms and how things work in residence. I tried my best at making them feel as though they belong and could contribute to our residence. Two of my mentees are on the first years committee and I encouraged them to apply for mentor in their second year as well. I feel that I contributed to their adjustment by telling them that I was in the same position and that it is normal to feel overwhelmed but that they should know I will always support them wherever I can.

Reflections 2021

Submissions/Reflections from Mentors per Residence and PSO

Topic: Do you think you were successful in providing newcomers / mentees with support and assistance in the adjustment and transition in their new university environment?

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