First of all it would only be respectful for me to give credit where credit is due:

Wits has once again proved why it is one of the greatest institutions in the world by the creation of this program. This program seeks (as I see it) to ensure that witsies are well rounded professionals, that excel in all fields pursued and all grounds set foot on. This initiative being one of the first of its kind, gives students the leading edge if they choose to partake in it. The Student Affairs have really outdone themselves and I think we should both thank and congratulate them on a job well done.
The first years too, with the critics saying whatever they have been saying, making it into Wits is not Childs play …and congratulations are in order both for the student affairs for this initiative and the students for making it thus far. (round of applause)

During my first few days at wits I was overwhelmed by everything about it. The buildings, the people and even the lecturers. I got lost a couple of times, wound up broke in my first week, and to top it all off, I was mugged in the second week.
Some of the questions that kept on re-occurring in my mind were, what do I have to do to get to where I want to? Who do I have to befriend, and what activities do I have to take part in? I mean the societies were all around, some offering sports, debate, some free t-shirts and others even free drinks when you sign up. Upon leaving home I had a clear vision of the type of person I wanted to be, this included
1) Receiving an internationally recognized degree with one of the top 500 universities in the world
2) Being a key contributor to the community who would not only give back to the community but learn as much as I can about them.
3) Building long lasting relationships that would carry me through right through university, into business and other ventures I wanted to explore.

One realization I made though, was that in order for me to attain all of these ambitions I would have to ensure that I build the foundations of all 3 of them in my first year. Because the first year of varsity shines a bright light onto the preceding years. I think it’s like one of those long distance races, I have seen that those who normally start the race well usually end well. Once those first few steps are taken well with planned precision, those that come after have no choice but to follow suite.
After studying the first year experience, I couldn’t help but note that it touches all forms of students.
Outdoor experiential learning: for those team players that enjoy the outdoors and partaking in entertaining activities
VInvolved: for those who are involved in giving back to the community.
Aim Higher: for students who enjoy motivating themselves and also to share their own views and hear form other people on their views about success.
Mentorship programs: where we will find the best teaching others to be their own best.
Building Bridges: so we could learn about the differences in society and find possible ways to complement each other, instead of highlighting the differences.
First In the Family: for those who are the first in their home setting to make it in to university. I must say that First in the Family is especially significant for some of us who have been given 2 conditions for going back home. Either you go home with the degree, or in a coffin.
As a matter of fact I am really disappointed that I never had this opportunity in first year. I know for a fact that if I had gone through this experience, not only would I have been a netter student, but I would have set higher goals, built better relationships and contributed even more society… I would have been a better me. No one student in this whole institution can claim that they wouldn’t benefit from this experience. It touches and brings in students from all backgrounds, in the pursuit of one common goal: Being the best that we can be.
In essence this is not just a first year experience it is simply an experience that you need to go through first before you get your degree. They say that an opportunity of a lifetime should be pursued in the lifetime of that opportunity. The first year experience is a lifetime opportunity that can and only last you a year, luckily for you this pursuit will be in your first year, and the lessons will last you a definite lifetime

I am sure that all of us, upon leaving home, had already painted a picture in our mind of the type of person that we would like to be on that final day when we are finally dressed with our graduation gown, and presented with our hard earned degree. We all have this picture hanging proudly in the wall of our minds. Each morning when we wake up we take a joy filled glance at this picture, and make attempts at bringing it to life on the piece of paper called our life. By going to lectures and tuts, studying and taking part in all those building activities, we actually take strides and make efforts at portraying this picture as accurately as we see it in our minds. We are the ones that are actually taking our dreams form our mind and living them out. None of lines that are drawn and the curves that are sketched are the doing of anybody else but ourselves. We are the ones that stand, dressed in our painting apron with a paint brush in our hand, painting and colouring out all that we see in our visions…NOBODY ELSE.
There exists among many of us the notion that by some chance, we will end up where we want to be, and become what we desire without taking the necessary strides to get there. I have seen many people seeking awards they haven’t worked for and recognition they don’t deserve. I have seen people looking at other achievers with envy as if they had just stolen their reward, but simply worked for it. My main point here is that in everything that is done, every person has the capacity of creation in his hands, and no part of what they will become will be the doing of somebody else or some miraculous event. A friend of mine Talumba Chirwa once said: “the reason some people believe in miracles is because they don’t believe in themselves”. I think what that he was trying to say is, greatness and achievement is never accidental but always intentional. There will never be a miraculous event that will turn you into something that you never intended to be.

If it is true that success happens when opportunity meets preparation, then most of life’s rewards will be received by you, who takes the risk of stepping out of your comfort zone and involve yourself in those activities that will engage and build you. Those activities that contribute to your goal, teach you more about yourself and bring out the best in you…activities that prepare you. And once that opportunity comes to the dance floor (as it always does), you better be ready to salsa, electric slide and booty hop the night away…because there is nothing as sad as seeing an unprepared soul stepping on the toes of an opportunity…Opportunity of a lifetime.