Early Support Survey (ESS)
Dear First-year Student


HOW ARE YOU?/ DO YOU NEED HELP?/ PLEASE COMPLETE THIS SURVEY AND GET IMMEDIATE HELP

Every year we find that at this stage some first-year students start realising they have problems and struggle to keep abreast of things. Below is a list of situations first-year students can find themselves in. If any of these situations are applicable to you, you MUST please indicate it below.  Immediately after you have submitted this survey (by clicking on the submit button below) you will receive an individualised list of places and people where you can get help - specifically for those situations/problems that you have indicated yourself by completing this survey.

You may complete this questionnaire anonymously.  You therefore do not have to supply your initials, surname and student number below.  If you do, however, provide your details we will be able to do follow-up work and check whether you have been helped.

Simply click on one of the two options for each of the 22 questions/situations below.  Thereafter please continue and read the paragraphs that follow.  Then submit your survey by clicking on the submit button.  Your individualised help and your response to each "question" will then be displayed on the screen.
Initials:   Surname:  
Student number:    
1
I feel very lonely and without friends and don't have a network of people where I can get support and assistance.
2
The work overwhelms me completely and I don't really cope.
3
I'm very concerned about my financial situation and don't know whether I'll be able to pay for everything.
4
My accommodation is a big problem and/or I still don't have proper accommodation.
5
Finding my feet in the residence is a big problem.
6
I'm uncertain about some of my subjects and I don't know whether I've chosen the right subject combinations.
7
I'm uncertain about the field of study I've chosen and that affects my motivation.
8
I'm uncertain about my career choice.
9
The travelling to the University is too much for me and I don't know whether I'll be able to keep it up.
10
The noise in the residence is too much for me, and I find it difficult to study and to sleep.
11
I struggle to keep good notes in lectures - lecturers speak too fast and I don't know how to make effective notes.
12
I'm scared and anxious/ the stress is getting the better of me.
13
I'm already missing lectures because I'm not motivated and/or because I cannot get to all the lectures.
14
I feel totally under-prepared for University studies.
15
I struggle to read everything I'm suppose to read (I read slowly) and I also struggle to put my thoughts effectively in writing.
16
I struggle with my time management - there are just too many things and I don't know how to fit everything in and how to prioritise.
17
I've started doubting myself and that has a demotivating effect on me.
18
I'm scared to ask questions in class and I find the lecturers intimidating.
19
I don't know precisely where to go for assistance and help.
20
I struggle to organise my notes and learning materials neatly and to keep everything together.
21
I'm scared of tests.
22
I spend far too much time on other things instead of my studies (such as sport, relaxation, socialising, etc).
VERY IMPORTANT:  It is strongly recommended that you take notice of the following general advice on where to get help (in addition to the individualised help that you will receive after you have clicked on the submit button below):

1. Seek the advice of residence and PSO mentors for any situation where you want to speak to a fellow senior student.

2. Seek the advice of subject tutors for any subject specific issue about which you are worried and about which you want to ask a fellow student's advice.  Contact academic departments  individually, or contact Dr Ansie Loots at the Centre for Teaching and Learning at 15 Bosman Street, email Aloots@sun.ac.za, or phone her on 021-808-3968.

3. Seek the advice of residence wardens or visiting wardens of PSO wards for any of above-mentioned situations.

4. Always seek the advice of lecturers for any academic work related issue that you don't understand.

Please don't wait. Ask for assistance and take the advice where to get help as soon as possible. Many students wait too long before they ask for help, and often that is too late. Remember, class weeks consist of only 13 weeks per semester (26 for the whole year!!). Go and ask for assistance immediately.

Good luck and know that you can be successful!

With my best wishes
Ludolph Botha

Dr H Ludolph Botha
Senior Direkteur: Akademiese Steun
Senior Director: Academic Support
Universiteit Stellenbosch University
Tel: +27 21 808 3716
Faks/Fax: +27 21 808 2380
E-pos: hlb@sun.ac.za
 
   



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