r/UCT

Specifically for Application fees?

Hello all! I’m a Princeton University student in the African American Studies department on the Race and Public Policy track. I’m a rising junior and currently considering the University of Cape Town for my spring study abroad semester.
I would really love to hear from current or former students about their experiences at UCT academically, socially, and culturally. Since this would be my first time abroad, I’m especially interested in what it’s like adjusting to both the university and Cape Town itself.
Some things I’d love insight on:

what student/social life is like

how easy it is to make friends as an international student

what the academic environment and workload feel like

housing recommendations or areas students usually live

how safe students generally feel navigating Cape Town

how race, class, and politics shape daily life/student culture

what surprised you most about attending UCT

anything you wish you knew before going

I’d appreciate any honest perspectives, positive or negative. Thank you!

Exam season is fast approaching, and so is DP acceptance, and I'm super worried. I've missed two of my tutorials, and this course requires 100% tutorial attendance for DP. I can recognize that missing them was completely on me, partly for not checking my schedule, but mostly due to depression. I've been struggling with this course. My practical marks have been good, but my class test marks have been poor. Not for lack of trying and studying, but mostly due to bad test-taking skills and anxiety. After the poor results I've been receiving after studying so hard, I've been pushed into a deep slump that I've been really struggling to get out of. I've been stuck at home with no motivation, only coming out when it's necessary.

I've been doing some research on what I can do about my DP status, and it's not looking hopeful. I don't have a 'valid' excuse to have missed them, and my bad class test marks don't support my case in any way. Is there really nothing I can do? Would appealing my status when the time comes be a waste of time? If there's nothing I can do, how do I get over this so I don't subtract effort from my other courses? I'm just feeling really lost right now, and I'm looking for any advice or opinions I could get.