Health Science Reviews

by Nokuthula Hlongwana

2023, a year of reaching my full potential. That was the goal I set for myself beginning of the year. Oh boy little did I know what this year was bringing, full force servings. To say this year has been difficult would be an understatement, I have always heard my students who had already done their honours tell me about how challenging their honours year was but if there is one thing you can take out of this is that I never let anyone discourage me or scare me. Turns out, all the stories I was told, they were true! This is a year that will either make me or break me. Broken a couple of times already, but nothing I cannot handle.

Here we are in the beginning of September, just with 4 submissions left before I am done with the year, and I complete my honours degree. In past nine months, I’ve laughed, met amazing colleagues and mentors, I have cried my eyes and lungs out. I have had the greatest moments and the saddest moments, but I could never choose to take a different journey.  This year has been a blessing in disguise.

Reflecting to where I was in 2022 during this time is true epitome of “it will work out in the end”. During 2022 around this time, I was hopeless, and I didn’t see myself where I am now, a student again and working towards my dreams. A year off school, made me appreciate the smallest things about being a student, the cross-nights; submissions; exams and tests; and the fun times. I might be complaining about how tough this year has been, but I would do this again and again.

I am clearly not a woman with many words but my last reflective statement is this: 2023 you have been great darling but off you go now (fake smile with a thumb up)!