Starting university for the first time is exciting, scary, confusing, and unforgettable — all at once. For many South African students, being a first-year means adjusting to a completely new world: new schedules, new people, new expectations, and a new level of independence.
So what does a real day in the life of a first-year student actually look like? Not the brochure version — the real one.
Let’s walk through it.
Morning: Reality Hits Early
Most first-year students wake up earlier than they ever did in high school. Whether you stay in residence, private accommodation, or commute from home, mornings are usually rushed.
- Alarm goes off (sometimes more than once)
- Quick check of WhatsApp class groups
- A mental reminder of which lecture is first
- Scrambling for notes, laptop, or student card
For residence students, mornings mean shared bathrooms and long queues. For commuters, it’s taxis, buses, or traffic stress. Either way, punctuality suddenly matters — lecturers don’t wait.
Breakfast? Optional. Coffee? Essential.
Getting to Campus: Finding Your Way (Again)
Even weeks into the semester, many first-years still get lost. Campuses are big, and lecture venues don’t always make sense.
- “Is this building for Humanities or Science?”
- “Why does this lecture hall have three entrances?”
- “Am I in the right class?”
Walking across campus quickly becomes part of daily life — and so does learning to read campus maps and signs.
Lectures: Very Different from High School
This is where most first-year students get a shock.
Lecturers don’t check homework. They don’t chase you. They don’t remind you to study.
A typical lecture involves:
- Listening (or trying to)
- Taking fast notes
- Trying to understand unfamiliar concepts
- Realising the lecturer has already moved on
Some students record lectures. Others write everything down. Many just try to survive the first few weeks.
And yes — skipping lectures is tempting. But most first-years quickly learn that missing even one class can put you far behind.
Midday: Social Life Starts to Form
Between lectures, campus comes alive.
This is when first-years:
- Sit on lawns or benches
- Buy affordable meals or snacks
- Meet classmates who become friends
- Join student societies or clubs
- Share notes and stress about assignments
Friendships form fast — especially among students who are far from home. These midday moments often become the best memories of varsity life.
Afternoon: Tutorials, Group Work & Confusion
Afternoons usually include tutorials, practicals, or group discussions. This is where learning becomes more interactive — and sometimes more confusing.
First-year challenges often show up here:
- Group members who don’t participate
- Instructions that aren’t clear
- New academic language and expectations
But tutorials also help students ask questions and understand content better. For many first-years, this is where things finally start to make sense.
Late Afternoon: Fatigue Sets In
By late afternoon, reality hits.
- Mental exhaustion
- Information overload
- Hunger again
- Homesickness (especially early in the year)
Some students head back to residence or home. Others go to the library to study — even if it’s just sitting quietly and scrolling through notes.
This is when first-years begin to understand that university is a marathon, not a sprint.
Evening: Studying, Calls Home & Adjustment
Evenings look different for every student, but usually include:
- Revising notes
- Starting assignments early (or too late)
- Cooking simple meals or buying takeaway
- Calling family back home
- Watching series or scrolling social media
Many first-year students also reflect at night:
- “Did I choose the right course?”
- “Am I smart enough for this?”
- “Everyone else seems to be coping better.”
These feelings are normal — even for top students.
What First-Year Students Learn Quickly
A day in the life of a first-year student teaches important lessons fast:
- Time management is essential
- Nobody will spoon-feed you
- Asking for help is okay
- Failing once doesn’t mean failing forever
- Balance matters more than perfection
Most importantly, first-years learn independence — academically, socially, and emotionally.
Final Thoughts
Being a first-year student in South Africa is not easy — but it is life-changing. Every long day, confusing lecture, and late-night study session builds resilience, confidence, and growth.
If you’re a first-year reading this:
You’re not behind. You’re not alone. You’re learning — and that’s exactly what this season is about.