Supporting First-Year Students’ Transition to Health Sciences Degrees

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The College of Health Sciences (CHS) Student Support Services (SSS) held its Academic Monitoring and Support (AMS) Annual Certificate and Appreciation Ceremony on 31 October, in recognition of the sterling role played by its 2023 staff and student mentors who worked tirelessly to achieve a successful first-year experience for incoming students by proactively supporting their holistic wellness.

Co-ordinated by SSS Student Counsellor, Mrs Wulganithi Thaver who was also the emcee, the event acknowledged the skilled front-line support teams who received certificates of appreciation.

The programme was officially opened by CHS Director of Professional Services, Professor Fanie Botha on behalf of Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of College, Professor Busi Ncama, and College Dean of Teaching and Learning, Professor Sinegugu Duma.

Botha commended CHS’ SSS and its mentors for prioritising student wellness which he described as the cornerstone for student success in any field of study. ‘Sometimes all it takes is for students to receive the right kind of support to move from a 65% pass to obtaining distinctions. It is critical to de-stigmatise academic mentorship and support so that students can reach their full potential. We need to understand that our qualifications lift families out of poverty and bleak situations.’

CHS SSS Manager, Dr Saloschini Pillay said: ‘Our special guests today are our first responders, who support holistic student wellness and student success as Peer Wellness, First-year Experience (FYE) and Academic Mentors and Teaching Assistants, supported by their immediate line managers, the Student Counsellors, the FYE Co-ordinator, the Academic Development Officers and our Academic Leaders, respectively.’

Pillay added that AMS is all about student success, ‘and student success is everybody’s business! As AMS role players in the CHS, our students are positioned at the centre of their success. In partnership with the respective Schools, the AMS team offers a collaborative and holistic approach to academic success and student wellness.’

Students are surrounded by layers of support whilst motivating them to take responsibility for their success.

‘Our success strategy commences upon registration when our first-time entry students are offered a series of transitional and support programmes to navigate their new environment and experiences. The strategies are designed to onboard students, ease the transition to the Higher Education context, timeously identify barriers to academic progress and intervene promptly to enhance student wellness and success and facilitate a positive university experience. These services and support are critical pillars in the comprehensive, integrated programme known as the Student Wellness and Academic Transformation (SWAT) programme,’ Pillay added.

‘SWAT is a flagship programme at SSS aimed at offering a co-ordinated, comprehensive undergraduate support programme where all Schools in the College and wider University role players have clear roles and responsibilities and work together to ensure that students are timeously supported. The idea is to have touchpoints at every step of the students’ academic journey.’

The first guest speaker, Mr Siphamandla Mdletshe, formerly served as a Peer Wellness and Academic Mentor as well as the 2017 Audiology class representative. He is now a PhD candidate, a part-time clinical tutor at UKZN, an audiologist, and the director of his private practice, New Age Hearing. ‘Once a mentor, always a mentor,’ he said reflecting on how the AMS programme equipped him for life. He highlighted the importance of setting goals, time management, community outreach, immersing oneself in one’s career, and taking care of oneself physically and mentally.

The second guest speaker, Mr Nkosikhona Ngubane, a final-year Nursing student is an inspiration to students. He served as a link between SSS and the first-year class of 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown, Peer Wellness Mentor in second-year, and FYE Mentor in third-year. He wrote his first book this year. Ngubane highlighted the importance of embracing the support offered by the College to thrive as a student.

Inspiring testimonials were delivered by academic mentors, teaching assistants, FYE mentors, and the Academic Leader Teaching and Learning in the School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, Dr Pam Pillay.

Words and photographs: Lunga Memela