Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

GRAD is brought to you by Ruda Landman and Studytrust in partnership with
Van Schaik Publishers
sponsored by CAPITEC BANK

Compiled by Ruda Landman
With contributions from:

  • The Sasol Inzalo Foundation team 2010–2015 led by Marietjie Vosloo
  • The StudyTrust team led by Murray Hofmeyr

Further contributions from Excellent Mathebula and Almar Gumbo

Thank you to Stellenbosch artist Tanya O’Connor who planted the seed that would grow into GRAD

Ruda Landman works to support students to achieve success at university.

In 2024 StudyTrust celebrated its 50th birthday. On 13 June 1974 a few farsighted individuals decided to actively combat the lack of opportunities available to the majority of young South Africans determined to fulfil their academic potential. Mentorship and psychosocial support have always been part of our approach. This guide is one more initiative in helping you on your way.

GRAD is part of that effort. May it help you along your way.

Use it well and often.

Given our work in this field, we are excited to be associated with GRAD. It is essential reading for students, filled with thoughtful and practical insights that will truly resonate with those who need guidance and support on the long and often uncertain journey through the higher education system.

Annsilla Nyar
SA National Resource Centre for the First Year Experience

We gain knowledge through education. It doesn’t just happen in the classroom; it happens every day, wherever we go. Your education and knowledge can never be taken away from you, so never stop learning! It will not only improve your life, but also the lives of those around you – your family, friends and colleagues.

It will be challenging and even tough at times, but it will be rewarding. Never give up.

Capitec Bank is honoured to be part of your journey – we wish you all the best!

Published by Van Schaik Publishers
A division of Media24 Books
1059 Francis Baard Street, Hatfield, Pretoria
Copyright © 2025 Van Schaik Publishers

Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
(CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Attribution – You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the licence, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
NonCommercial – You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
ShareAlike – If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same licence as the original.
No additional restrictions – You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the licence permits.

View Licence Deed – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
View Legal Code – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/legalcode

Images are excluded from the license details above, and may not be reproduced in any format.

First edition 2016
Second edition 2017
Third edition 2019
Fourth edition 2020
Fifth edition 2022
Sixth edition 2024
Seventh edition 2025

ISBN 978 0 627 04320 8

Commissioning editor Leanne Martini
Production manager Shelley Swanepoel
Editorial manager Daleen Venter
Copy editors Sarah Heuer & Alexa Barnby
Proofreader Sarah Heuer
Cover design by Capitec Internal Design Studio
Cover image Getty Images
Images from iStockphoto.com & Shutterstock
Typeset in 10 on 13 pt Minion Pro by Pinny & Spot and Van Schaik Publishers
Printed and bound by ABC Press

Every effort has been made to obtain copyright permission for material used in this book. Please contact the publisher with any queries in this regard.

Please note that reference to one gender includes reference to any other gender.

Website addresses and links were correct at time of publication.