Health Science Reviews

By Jamie Langson

An internal pattern of self-doubt that can lead to anxiety, stress and missed opportunities. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has experienced this. Starting my first year at UCT after coming from a different institution was quite intimidating, but the idea of pursuing an honours degree in a subject I knew very little about, seemed almost inconceivable.

Despite my hard work and achievements in undergrad, I often doubted my competence in my field of study this year. Not being the smartest person in the room or having nothing to contribute to a conversation, became the norm. Initially, I viewed this as a negative, but I eventually came to realize that it was actually quite the opposite. I was exactly where I needed to be. Putting myself in uncomfortable situations and environments that allowed for growth and perspective, was one of the smartest things I could do. So, here is some advice that no one asked for, but I’m going to give anyway because I wish I had seen something like this as a reminder before embarking on this honours journey.

Acknowledge your achievements and how far you’ve come. Understand that hard work won’t always lead to good results. Don’t take feedback and criticism on your work personally. A cliché but know that you’re not alone. I can almost certainly say that if you speak to one of your colleagues, you’ll find they’re sharing the same feelings and challenges. Embrace the mistakes and disappointments, don’t dwell on them. Lastly, position yourself to receive what is meant for you.

This year has gone by so fast and although I’m still learning, I know I’ve worked hard and I am qualified to be where I am, sometimes it just takes a reminder or two. I may not be able to replicate my past achievements, but I know that what is yet to come is much greater than what has passed.