Introduction

Welcome to GRAD

Your guide to university success

GRAD – your guide to university success does what the name says. From your first year to that final examination, you will find in its pages everything you need to navigate your way through the challenges of this exciting, daunting time of your life. It’s like having a personal mentor who is always available.

Thanks to generous sponsorship by Capitec Bank, printed copies are provided to first-year students at most public residential universities in South Africa every year. The text is based on material developed by the national bursary and student mentoring organisation StudyTrust. It was put together for publication by well-known journalist and TV presenter, Ruda Landman. Van Schaik Publishers contributed the design and layout of the publication and distributed printed versions through the network of the South African National Resource Centre for the First Year Experience and Students in Transition. To reach an even wider audience, the guide is also available on www.grad.or.za as an e-book, a PDF download and a podcast – free of charge. You can also download and print the worksheets in the different sections, once again free of charge.

TEN YEARS OF GRAD
MORE THAN A MILLION COPIES DISTRIBUTED

How to navigate GRAD on-line

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What past users have to say about GRAD

GRAD reminded me I’m not alone.

GRAD empowers me with essential life skills, making my transition into university smoother and more successful. It’s more than just a book—it’s a toolkit for thriving in student life and beyond.

GRAD empowers me with essential life skills, making my transition into university smoother and more successful. It’s more than just a book—it’s a toolkit for thriving in student life and beyond.

GRAD has truly made my first year more manageable, giving me a framework to succeed academically and personally.

The book’s advice on budgeting saved me (a student surviving on instant noodles!).

I had no prior experience budgeting money or knew how to manage it. I found the tips in the book extremely helpful.

As a student I often found myself in debt because I did not have my priorities in order and I would spend money on useless things and halfway through the month i am already broke. GRAD taught me how to manage my money, budget, and use money for the things that I need most first.

We also have a newsletter, Thought for the Week:

Every Monday, when things did not seem clear, those newsletters were there to tell me that I was not on my own.

Every Monday, I receive the GRAD newsletter from StudyTrust, and it’s like a weekly check-in with a mentor. The content always feels timely—whether I’m facing stress before exams or needing motivation to manage my time, GRAD seems to speak directly to what I’m going through.

The GRAD emails are more than just emails now; they are a lighthouse to me (a beacon of hope and guidance).