​You saw them everywhere this week … concerned parents arriving in Stellenbosch with big-eyed nervous newcomer students perched like meercats in the passenger seat. This added to the feeling of slight trepidation mixed with excitement that hung in the Stellenbosch air as the gears of the new academic year at Stellenbosch University (US) started to turn. The first gear was the arrival of around 2300 newcomer students from all over South Africa and even outside the country's borders at SU residences to settle in for the start of the next phase in their lives. Many of the Matie newcomers expressed both excitement and nervous emotions on starting their new student life.

Jamie Lamprecht (18) from Pinelands in Cape Town was accompanied by his older brother Zac who helped him move into Metanoia residence. Speaking to Corporate Communication Jamie said, “I will be studying Engineering and I am very excited especially because my brother is also a Maties student."

According to Dr Celeste Nel, Director: Centre for Admission and Residence Placement, SU received nearly 34 000 newcomer first year applications of which 17 700 were complete and could be considered for the 2019 intake.

“SU has 5 300 seats and approximately 2 300 beds on the Stellenbosch and Tygerberg campuses available for first-year students. The University also collaborates with private providers to offer additional private accredited accommodation," said Nel.

Newcomer students like Angel Nkosi who travelled with her mother Damali all the way from Pretoria to move into Nerina residence expressed her gratitude for being placed into a residence at SU.

Liza Brink from Paarl and her mother Marianna filled up their SUV in the early hours of the morning to move the first-year BCom student into Serruria residence. “I have been bored out of my mind waiting for this day to come; I cannot wait to meet the rest of the students at my res and also make new friends." Liza's mom on the other hand said she was happy to have her house to herself now that her daughter was in res.

At Irene residence, Nikita and mother Esmarelda Daniels from Grassy Park said they were both excited about the new journey. “I am extremely proud of my daughter and all that she has achieved. Today is a happy but sad day for me because I am emotional about her leaving home and being away from me." Nikita, on the other hand, said, “I am very excited and cannot wait for classes to start."

A vibrant week-long welcoming programme has been organised to introduce the new Maties to life on campus. Highlights of the programme will include the annual “Vensters" event taking place on Friday 1 February. All the necessary details, as well as the full welcoming programme for the newcomer students for the week, can be found on the University's website, www.sun.ac.za. Visit the site for more information on the registration schedule, transport, personal safety, the library, free writing advice and other aspects of the University.