The Big Read: Cracking it on campus

This is a letter to the tens of thousands of first-year students about to enter university in South Africa for the first time. Welcome, and congratulations on passing well.

Here are 10 pieces of advice you might find useful as you start this new journey.

• One, you are no longer smart. Yes, you were top of your class and teachers told you that you were the best. It is no longer true. You are now simply one among the smartest young people from across the country, and outside of it, so take a cold shower: you have competition. The good news is you can beat the best among them, but it all depends on your approach. Study much harder and longer than anyone else, and start immediately.
• Two, your biggest enemy is time. Since nobody requires you to go to class and there is no nagging parent asking whether your homework is done, you are likely to fall into the same trap as the majority of students and put things off. You will fail a module or two and, for some of you, this will be the first time you have failed anything. It is not a problem if you recover quickly, but know that the first exam will be upon you before you have unpacked all your clothes.
• Three, think long term. If you fail a module, even one, it becomes part of your permanent academic record. Protect that piece of paper with your life for this is what a good employer will scrutinise - why did you fail accountancy or labour law? Once again, passing is not good enough; any diligent student can get a degree. It's how you get that degree that matters and in this respect, do not blot your copybook.
• Four, this is a time to do and say crazy things. That's fine. But put stupid things on your Facebook page or retweet somebody else's garbage and know this - it will come back to haunt you. This is probably a good time to buy your most important textbook, Emma Sadlier and Tamsyn de Beer's Don't Film Yourself Having Sex. You are decidedly not cool if you insult someone else or put out the most personal details of your life or post a raunchy photo. I know many employers take a good look at your social media footprint. This kind of junk does not disappear into cyberspace because you pressed "delete".
• Five, be open to learning. As an 18-year-old you already have firm views of the world and it is not a bad idea to take a position on climate change or cartoon censorship. But change your mind often and evaluate other people's ideas before dismissing them. Listening is probably your most important gift at this time. Another textbook you might find interesting that has helped some of my students is Kathryn Schulz's On Being Wrong.
• Six, learn outside of the classroom. Join a voluntary project in the townships. Intern during the summer and winter vacations in a company, NGO or government department relevant to your chosen career. Look for campus opportunities for part-time work but make sure it builds your résumé and, more importantly, expands your experience of the world.
• Seven, make new friends. Most of you come from traditional homes and communities. Go to a mosque or synagogue or church - something different from your own upbringing. Date someone who does not look like you. Eat food you have never tasted before. Volunteer at the campus disability centre and make friends with those who have overcome great life challenges. This is the best time to break out of your shell . You would have lost a major opportunity if your friends are the same kinds of people with whom you came onto and left campus.
• Eight, lead something. Take charge, whether it is the campus newspaper or the mountain hiking group or the green campus club. Do not spend your three or four years simply following because that would likelypredict, sadly, the rest of your life.
• Nine, make mistakes, often. You will not learn unless you mess up.
• Ten, go back to your high school, often, especially those of you who are among the few who were able to go to university. Inspire your peers to follow in your footsteps. Share the positive and negative lessons you have learnt. Simply be among them, as an inspiration, and your degree would already be worthwhile.