[Witsjunction2025] FYE Workshop: Balancing Work and Play

[Neka Da Costa]

Attention all first years,

Please see the attached poster and information below – you are invited to attend 😊

Neka


Neka da Costa, BADA (Wits), MA (RADA)

Lecturer | Theatre and Performance
[cid:image-54319-2998467 at za01.rocketseed.cloud]

E: Neka.DaCosta at wits.ac.za
T: +27 11 717 4642 <tel:+27%2011%20717%204642> <0000-0002-4908-8192>
W: www.wits.ac.za/wsoa/theatre--performance/<http://www.wits.ac.za/wsoa/theatre--performance/>

[cid:image-56271-2998467 at za01.rocketseed.cloud]<https://za01.rocketseed.cloud/rs/a0SJAwYV7Bg7ro9>
[cid:image-54323-2998467 at za01.rocketseed.cloud]

ORCiD<0000-0002-4908-8192>

[cid:image-54322-2998467 at za01.rocketseed.cloud]

The Wits School of Arts Building, 2nd Floor, Room 232,

Braamfontein Campus East, Johannesburg

[cid:image-54331-2998467 at za01.rocketseed.cloud]

From: Letitia Andreas <letitia.andreas at wits.ac.za>
Sent: Thursday, 03 July 2025 11:13
To: Thandi Radebe <Thandi.Radebe at wits.ac.za>; Evelyn Lumngwena <evelyn.lumngwena at wits.ac.za>; Neka Da Costa <Neka.DaCosta at wits.ac.za>; Sibulele Nkunzi <Sibulele.Nkunzi at wits.ac.za>; Vinoba Krishna <Vinoba.Krishna at wits.ac.za>; Itumeleng Tshwane <itumeleng.tshwane at wits.ac.za>; Sivu Situngu <sivu.situngu at wits.ac.za>; Mpho Thahale <mpho.thahale at wits.ac.za>; Pumla Sodo <pumla.sodo at wits.ac.za>; Nokukhanya Ndinisa <nokukhanya.ndinisa at wits.ac.za>; Milka Madahana <Milka.Madahana at wits.ac.za>; Tabea Lephuthing <Tabea.Lephuthing at wits.ac.za>; Gobotsamang Motlhabani <Gobotsamang.Motlhabani at wits.ac.za>; Zethu Lubisi <zethu.lubisi at wits.ac.za>; Nkosiyazi Dube <Nkosiyazi.Dube at wits.ac.za>; Farai Mlambo <farai.mlambo at wits.ac.za>; Veli Mongwe <Veli.Mongwe at wits.ac.za>; Matome Mashatola <matome.mashatola at wits.ac.za>; Edgar Phukubje <edgar.phukubje at wits.ac.za>; Thabo Ngakaemang <Thabo.Ngakaemang at wits.ac.za>; Faith Herbert <Faith.Herbert at wits.ac.za>; Antoinette Malgas <Antoinette.Malgas at wits.ac.za>; Sikhumbuzo Maisela <sikhumbuzo.maisela at wits.ac.za>; Kamogelo Molobye <kamogelo.molobye at wits.ac.za>; Millicent Motheogane <Millicent.Motheogane at wits.ac.za>; Hlologelo Malatji <hlologelo.malatji at wits.ac.za>; Kgomotso Malahle <Kgomotso.Malahle at wits.ac.za>; Mirriam Sibanda <Mirriam.Sibanda at wits.ac.za>; Herbert Hove <Herbert.Hove at wits.ac.za>; Wanda Ndlozi <Wanda.Ndlozi at wits.ac.za>; Nokukhanya Ndinisa <nokukhanya.ndinisa at wits.ac.za>; Milka Madahana <Milka.Madahana at wits.ac.za>
Cc: Setsi Sekati <setsi.sekati at wits.ac.za>; Basil Mugwena <basil.mugwena at wits.ac.za>; Zena Richards <Zena.Richards at wits.ac.za>; Luyanda Lebatla <luyanda.lebatla at wits.ac.za>; Ashne Billings-Padiachey <ashne.billings-padiachey at wits.ac.za>; Priscilla Welcome <Priscilla.Welcome at wits.ac.za>; Bhekizizwe Nkosi <bhekizizwe.nkosi at wits.ac.za>; Thokozani Zondi <thokozani.zondi22 at wits.ac.za>
Subject: FYE Workshop: Balancing Work and Play
Importance: High

Dear Colleagues,

The Student Transitions and Persistence Unit (STPU), in collaboration with Campus Housing & Residence Life (CHRL) and Drama for Life (DFL), will host a two‑day workshop titled Balancing Work and Play: Navigating the First Year on 29–30 July 2025.  The objective of this workshop is designed to help first‑year students strike a healthy balance between academic responsibilities and personal enjoyment, fostering a holistic and fulfilling university experience. The workshop will focus on the following themes:

  1.  Understanding the Importance of Balance: Exploring the benefits of balancing academic commitments with personal time and relaxation.
  2.  Time Management Strategies: Techniques for effectively managing time, setting priorities, and creating schedules that accommodate both work and play.
  3.  Stress Management: Identifying stressors related to academic pressure and learning practical strategies to cope with stress healthily.
  4.  Goal Setting: Setting realistic academic and personal goals and developing strategies to achieve them while maintaining a balanced lifestyle.
  5.  Self-Care Practices: Promoting self-care habits such as exercise, adequate sleep, nutrition, and mindfulness to enhance overall well-being.
  6.  Building Support Networks: Encouraging students to seek support from peers, mentors, and campus resources to navigate challenges and maintain balance.
Recent STPU activations, faculty check‑ins with mentors, and feedback from faculty advisers all highlight a common concern: many first‑year students struggle to “balance” their academic workload, conflicting schedules, and related stressors. Clearly, our students need practical strategies to meet these challenges. Hence, the STPU, in collaboration with CHRL and DFL, is hosting this workshop primarily to address these challenges.

To ensure greater attendance, we kindly request your support in sharing the attached poster with your House Committees, posting it in your residence WhatsApp groups, adding the event to your residence calendars, and actively encouraging first-year students to participate, especially as they approach the end of their first academic year.

Your support will make a meaningful difference in helping our first‑year students thrive both academically and personally. Please note that CHRL is funding this workshop so attendance is critical.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Kind regards
Letitia


Miss Letitia Andreas (She/Her), MEd Policy, Leadership and Change (UCT), Hons Public Policy and Administration (UCT), BSocSc (UCT)
Senior Projects Coordinator | Student Transitions and Persistence Unit


E: letitia.andreas at wits.ac.za<mailto:letitia.andreas at wits.ac.za>
T: +27 11 717 8685 <tel:+27%2011%20717%208685>
W: https://www.wits.ac.za/students/stpu/
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Parktown Education Campus, Marang Building, 2nd Floor,

27 St Andrews Road, Johannesburg, South Africa




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