Health Science Reviews

by Lize Mostert

2023 has been one of the most challenging years since starting university at TUKS in 2020. I have
made some lasting relationships, but I have also had to lose some friendships that I have made in my
undergraduate years by choosing to study at UCT. However, I must admit that I have grown so much
through this year and even though my spirit was broken most of the times, I have accomplished
more than I could imagine.
I will list some of the most valuable lessons that I have learned:

1. Mentors are important
   This year I had to step out of my comfort zone and approach people in order to make progress in my
   studies. I had to form a good relationship with my convener which has been one of the most valuable
   relationships in my honours year; she was the one I went to for advice and I am so glad that I was
   able to have this support. Another big way that I had to engage with mentors, was by talking to my
   supervisors (A LOT). Even though it meant that I would have to redo an assignment, I learned so
   much by approaching my supervisors continually throughout my assignments. The advice from
   mentors this year was priceless
2. Making friends, even if it is just one
   As an introvert, I struggle to make friends and the hard reality is that I don’t always get along with
   everyone in my class. Making one best friend in my stream this year has been the best thing. This
   meant having someone I could have coffees with between/after classes, I had someone to bounce
   ideas off, and I had a good partner for assignments (even if we worked at different paces). If there is
   one thing that I take away from this year that will last me my lifetime, it is my friend Sam.
3. It doesn’t hurt to ask
   One thing that really carried me through this year was asking a lot of questions. Asking for help when
   I needed it, asking for advice when I didn’t know the best way to approach something, asking for
   feedback on my assignments and tests, etc. I am sure I made my supervisor crazy, but knowing that I
   could ask questions when I needed it, helped me to survive this year in an unfamiliar university with
   a lot of unfamiliar people.
   I am so glad that I had the opportunity to grow at UCT this year and I am excited to see where this
   year will lead to in my next steps.