Beginner’s guide to being a Matie 

By Abigail Powell 

Beginning university is a tumultuous experience and a huge step in life. Beginning it in a strange town, away from family and friends, makes it even more intimidating. But you are not alone. Here is a guide with everything you need to know when it comes to Stellenbosch University (SU). 

SU welcomes students from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures, but  there is one language all Stellenbosch students speak: The Maties lingo. (By the way, “Maties” refers to all SU students.)

The place(s) to be:

• The library, also know as the Bib, is where many late-night study sessions will take place until you are eventually chased out to the tune of “ Closing Time” by Semisonic.
• The Rooiplein is easily identifiable by the bright red bricks that connect the Neelsie Student Centre and the library.
• The Neelsie is often referred to as a food court, but one could also call it a void for money, where you will spend far too much of your allowance on cheap yet delicious doughnuts. Those nine rands spent on doughnuts add up. (Do you know where the Neelsie got its name? The student centre celebrated its 50th birthday in 2025, and was named after the acclaimed Afrikaans writer CJ Langenhoven. His nickname was Neelsie. Langenhoven wrote “Die Stem”, which is part of the South African national anthem.)
• The Jan Mouton Building, commonly referred to as the JM, is at the back of the Neelsie and is a great study spot, especially since it stays open past midnight.
• Admin A – the one building you hope you never need, but absolutely must know. It’s where you go to change modules, sort out funding or try to get into res. Basically, anything admin-related can be handled at the Administration  A Building. However, the building is currently closed due to renovations. All services moved to the Inorganic Chemistry Building in Bosman Street in the meantime. Please take note: During the registration period – until 20 February 2026 – all registration-related services for students – the Centre for Academic Administration, the Accommodation Office, Client Service Centre, Student Finance (Centre for Undergraduate Bursaries and Loans) and student cards – will be clustered at the Coetzenburg Centre. When in doubt, ask an older student or staff member where to go.

Essential information

• Every Matie gets a student card.  (Please see the emergency numbers at the back of the card.) Your student card gives you access to the Bib, computer centres, all the academic buildings and lecture halls. You can even load money onto it to buy food (see COB below), print, and use the laundry facilities at residences, making it the only thing you really need when walking around campus. Until 20 February, student cards are available at the Coetzenburg Centre. Thereafter, you may visit the Student IT Hub in the Inorganic Chemistry Building. If you lose it (which is a rite of passage and happens to most of us at least once), head back to the Student IT Hub and they will print and activate a new one for you to use.
• The Call Order Bar (COB) is a system where you can load money onto your student card to use in the Neelsie or at various delis around campus to buy food or take-aways.    

Traditionally speaking: 

• The Dream Walk is an iconic aspect of the institutional welcoming programme, where new first-year students walk along Victoria Street and place their dreams for university life into the trees. It’s a magical night  filled with hope and a sense of excitement for what’s to come.
• Pokkel is the mascot of Maties. He is fun, full of spirit, and quite possibly the best squirrel  you will ever meet.

Services that SU offers:  

• Campus Security will quickly become your best friend when you have to walk alone on campus after dark. Their walk-with  service, available on WhatsApp at 082 808 2333, will safely escort you home, no matter the hour. Save this number;  it’s an amazing service to have in your back pocket. Alternatively, there is a night shuttle that leaves every hour from the Neelsie parking area from 18:00 to 06:00. It operates within a radius of 6 km from the Neelsie. Book through the SUNStudent portal.
• The Writing Lab connects students with academic advisors and writing assistants. If you have any questions on how to tackle assignments or if you need help with academic writing and formulation, this is the place for you. Book an online or in-person session through MySUN.
• Printing on campus is easy thanks to your printing quota. Simply load money onto your student card via SUNStudent, log into a university computer  and select an online printer. Scan your card, choose “pull print”, and select the documents you would like printed.
• University can be a taxing experience and alongside the highs, there will be lows. The Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD) is committed to supporting stu­dents in an academic and per­sonal capacity. A free counselling service is available at 021 808 4707. In case of emergencies on weekends or after hours, you can call 021 808 4994. Students on Tygerberg campus can contact 021 927 7020.

Spend time in the SUN:

• For first-year students, class timetables are assigned and can be accessed on MySUN. From second year onwards, you will need to create your own timetable, also on MySUN. Just select “Undergraduate”, then “Studies”, and click on “Class Timetable”. If you’re unsure, the help link is surprisingly useful.
• What is the difference between all these “SUN” platforms? MySUN is  a centralised platform where you load COB, book Writing Lab consultations, and access NSFAS information. SUNLearn is where you will find your learning portals like SOC­SCILearn, EMSLearn, STEMLearn, and FMHSLearn  –  this is where your modules live. SUNStudent is used to check your marks  and access your academic records.

Starting university can feel overwhelming, but Stellenbosch has a way of becoming home. Between the late nights at the Bib, doughnuts in the Neelsie, and learning where to go when things feel confusing, you will find your rhythm. Just remember, everyone else is figuring it out too.