My ECP (extended curricular program) experience thus far

So, first week of orientation arrives. I know no one and the university is huge, so im telling myself already that im never gonna be able to get to my classes and im probably not gonna survive this place. Then I changed my mind, positive thoughts Kelly, positive thoughts.

I get introduced to all the other students in my course and see one of my high school friends Charne! So now I at least had a friend I could get lost with. As the week progressed, random conversations with a few people became something I looked forward to and new friends were created.

I thought im gonna lose my mind the first week of lectures since these people were talking about places and buildings foreign to my ears, how on earth was I gonna get to all my classes on time, what does all these bigs words that they use even mean? I didn’t even know how to send an email to someone and here I had to hear that it is gonna be a normal thing to do.

After settling down, I came to learn that my lecturers, facilitators and demonstrators were very helpful people. They were always there when I needed assistance and still are. Im learning something new everyday and this is only yet the beginning.

Out of all the modules, ISC 153 has to be the most challenging for me but that’s probably because I have to do all the work myself and no one lectures me on how to do it. It’s a challenge but I hope to pull threw at the end of the year. The work is a lot and also difficult to understand but with the help of my facilitators, I was able to make it this far and learned so much in the process.

My life science lecture Maryke has to be the nicest person I have ever met. She ensures that you understand the work and is always there to help out when you need it. Not to mention her lectures are also fun and lively wherein each class member can participate in.

Practicals are definitely the best way to end off the week at campus. Its interesting, challenging and Riaan makes sure its fun as well. It’s a great environment to learn in and theres always something fun to get out of it, even the loooong “boring” ones have some fun in it, that is of course minus the report we had to write, that was just bad, and long as well. I thought I’m never gonna finish it.

Tutorials are a great way to learn and apply that which you learn in lectures, although I have to admit that the one’s where we not allowed to use books are just junk. But alas, its all for my own benefit.

In conclusion, I have to say that the entire experience thus far has been interesting, challenging but also bucket loads of fun. This is one experience I wouldn’t wanna change, even with all the challenges and annotations that comes with it.