Welcome to
Counselling & Wellbeing - We Care About You
Introduction
Support Whenever You Need it
The Student Counselling Unit (SCU) at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) focuses on helping you achieve your full potential in your studies and all areas of your life. You are not alone! The SCU is here to support you every step of the way.
The Counselling Centre provides personal counselling and advocacy, training and educational programmes, outreach and community services. Through various programmes and services, students can learn and enhance life skills, including interpersonal and human relations, communication, value clarification, appreciation of deference, decision-making and career choices.
Some of the programmes include coping with depression, anxiety, alcohol or drug dependence, eating disorders, HIV/AIDS, abuse, relationship problems, and any other emotional challenges you face.
The SCU provides a confidential counselling service to all students on all campuses, with further referrals to the UFH EL Psychology Services Centre and other support services in the community.
As an UFH student, you benefit from supportive services to ensure your complete well-being, whether it’s social and environmental assistance, physical well-being, spiritual guidance, or occupational and financial wellness.
Our counselling services are available, free of charge to every student and geared to give you the maximum confidential support during your study years in a spirit of Ubuntu and compassion.
Counselling Staff
Administrator
Ms Pumeza Mzilikazi
Tel EL: +27 43 704 7017
Tel Alice: +27 40 602 2279
E-mail: lmzilikazi@ufh.ac.za
Useful Info
Simple Strategies for a Balanced Life
Beating Stress
Stress is a part of life, but managing it can make all the difference in your overall well-being. Whether facing deadlines, dealing with personal challenges or feeling overwhelmed, learning how to handle stress can help you stay balanced and in control.
Here are some practical, science-backed tips to manage stress:
- Take a breath: inhale deeply for four seconds, hold your breath for four seconds, and exhale for six seconds. Do this a few times until you feel calmer.
- Move your body: Exercise is one of the best ways to deal with stress. Walking or dancing around your room will help you regain focus.
- Set small goals: Break big tasks into small tasks and do them one at a time.
- Stay connected: Sometimes, a quick chat with a friend or loved one can lighten the load.
- Unplug for a while: Take a break and switch off, even if it’s just for 30 minutes, and use that time to enjoy a walk, read a book, or simply relax.
- Be kind to yourself: Remember, it’s okay to feel stressed. Instead of being hard on, do something that makes you happy.
- Get enough rest: Quality sleep is a powerful stress reliever.
- Ask for help: If you feel overwhelmed reach out to the SCU.
- Remember, managing stress is not about avoiding challenges. It’s about learning to face them with confidence and care. Take a deep breath—you’ve got this!
Tips and Tools to Achieve Your Goals
Studying for Success
Studying for exams can be daunting and stressful, but by planning in advance and committing to proven study methods, you will alleviate much of the stress that accompanies exam preparation.
Here are some tips to help you:
- Confirm the exact dates, times and locations for exams.
- Plan ahead by creating a study schedule.
- Break your study material into manageable chunks and assign them to specific days.
- Start early. Begin studying well before the exam to avoid cramming.
- Set goals for each study session.
- Make sure you have all your notes, textbooks, past exam papers, information and other material you need before you start studying.
- Make a checklist of all the topics you must cover and confirm with lecturers and fellow students if you need clarification.
- Find a study method that suits you before you start preparing for exams.
- Test yourself instead of just rereading notes.
- Teach someone else; this clarifies your knowledge and prepares you to communicate information.
- Write summaries of what you’ve learned.
- Manage your study environment by choosing a quiet, comfortable place with no distractions.
- Let others know that you are studying to avoid interruptions.
- Keep your study area tidy to maintain focus.
- Focus on staying healthy.
- Take regular breaks.
- Get enough sleep. Avoid pulling all-nighters; sleep aids memory consolidation.
- Do light exercise to improve your focus and reduce stress.
- Prepare for the exam format by reviewing past papers and familiarising yourself with the type of questions.
- Seek help when you need it.
- Join study groups to collaborate with peers for different perspectives and shared information.
- Deal with stress so that you can stay focused.
- These strategies can significantly enhance your exam preparation!
HIV/Aids Unit
Real Support and Community Awareness
Our students’ health and wellness on every level are a matter of priority to us! We strive to ensure that every health concern is met with the medical, counselling, and support it needs underpinned by the values of dignity and confidentiality. For this reason, the HIV/AIDS Unit was established.
The primary focus of the HIV/AIDS Unit is to provide a holistic approach to offering UFH students and staff wellness-orientated HCT workshops, Gender and Stigma assistance, Peer Education programmes, and close collaboration with community engagement programmes.
The main aim of the HIV/AIDS Unit is to prevent, control, and manage HIV/AIDS/STIs and TB among the students and staff of the University of Fort Hare and its communities. Our vision is to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS/STIs and TB by promoting, advocating, facilitating, and implementing innovative interventions among students, staff, and surrounding communities at large.
We work closely with the DoH, HHHCC, UFH Health Care Center, NGO and HEAIDS-funded programmes that seek to redress six programmatic areas (First Things First Campaigns, LGTBI stigma and discrimination, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Zazi women and girls empowerment, Brothers for Life masculinity programmes and TVET support services) on all three campuses Alice Campus, Bisho Campus and the East London Campus.
Who to contact:
For emergencies after hours, please use the following numbers:
SADAG (South African Depression & Anxiety Group)
Tel: 0800 456 789,
SMS: 32312
WhatsApp number: (+27) 76 882 2775
Website: https://sadag.org/
First Year Mentorship Programme
Fly Through Your First Year With Our Mentorship Programme
Welcome to the University of Fort Hare. We understand that starting your academic journey can be challenging. Over and above your academic studies, you’ll need to find your way around campus, learn the ins and outs of student life and figure out how to balance studying with social activities and events. Our First Year Mentorship Programme is designed to smooth your transition to varsity life.
This programme aims to connect our first-year students with senior students to help them adjust to their new environments. Your mentors connect with you on WhatsApp and Social Media, guiding you on some issues first-year students usually struggle with. They will also refer you to the correct units for support and assistance.
The mentors’ names will be advertised and visible during registration and orientation week. To sign up for first-year mentorship, please email tkoti@ufh.ac.za or visit the Alice or East London SCU office.
The mentorship programme is here to support you and guide you through the challenges you face as a first-year student.
Campus Counselling Contacts
Alice Campus
Tel: +27 40 602 2279
E- mail: PMzilikazi@ufh.ac.za
East London Campus
Tel: +27 43 704 7017
E-mail: PMzilikazi@ufh.ac.za