Every year thousands of new students are afforded the opportunity to dream big at Stellenbosch University's (SU) official welcoming ceremony.

As part of the formal welcoming procession on Thursday (25 January) in the Danie Craven Stadium at Coetzenburg, new students participated in the official Dream Launch event, which functions as a symbolic entrance into their life at SU.

During the Dream Launch, students were encouraged to jot down their goals and dreams on paper “leaves" that were blown across the open fields at the stadium. Students also gathered on the sports field where they encircled a huge “100" laid out on the grass signalling 2018 being the 100^th year of first year dreams.

Ferdi Van Dyk, Administrative Officer at the Centre for Student Leadership and Structures, says the aim of the Dream Launch event is to bring all first-years from different backgrounds together for the first time as Maties.

Says Van Dyk: “The goal is to signify the co-development of students' academic and non-academic goals at Stellenbosch University. With the Dream Launch, we wish to show them that the University and the people around them will support their dreams over the coming years. We include their parents and guardians, who were their support in the previous phase of their lives, and the University faculty and Student Dean, who will assist them on their journey forward."

The Dream Launch forms part of CONNECT, a student-driven organisation, which focuses on creating social awareness and making students more aware of the social impact they can have while studying at SU.

New students share their dreams

Dricus Jacobs from Robertson, who will be studying BSc Earth Science, said: “I just want to be part of something great at SU."

Austin Newman from Vredendal, a BCom Management Science student, dreams to one day be able to plough back what he learned at SU into the University. “I want to do my Masters and come back to Stellenbosch and teach here."

Johannesburg native, Kim Yammin, who will be studying BSc Dietetics (Hippokrates resident on the Tygerberg campus), said she just wanted “a more contented life" and be able to do her best while studying at SU.

BSc Agricultural Sciences student Tamsin Newman, from Kuilsriver, said her dream while at SU is to “stay motivated even if things seem difficult."