Health Science Reviews

by Tristan Butler

I was always excited to begin my Honours in Applied Anatomy at UCT however, nothing prepares you to encounter the amount of stress levels and workload. It has been a year of learning, with special emphasis on learning. The volume of knowledge that I have absorbed is immense, especially considering that all my senses were used, and exhausted in order to obtain the high level of required knowledge. My brain, soul, and body yearn for a fortnight length of a relaxing holiday to replenish my “brain power”. Besides the doom and gloom, I have immensely enjoyed this year of studies due to the expansion of knowledge and experience gained as an honours student studying at UCT. In addition to this I have learned the one must not take their “foot of the pedal” as a student otherwise all the work piles up at an enormous rate. The difference between undergrad and postgrad is that the ability to use the knowledge you acquire is tested, instead of solely producing the correct answer without showing your ability to use it. This learning curve forces learners to shape their manner in which they learn differently. I have seen how the anatomy of each human is not exactly as the textbooks dictate, relating the possible significance that our world as we know it is changing at an even quicker rate, due to advancements in technology of course. Early at the onset of the year, I expected to learn vastly about the anatomy of human beings, these expectations were met to a significant extent. I found that one must learn from all resources and more, as well as in a practical sense, even though that is expected. My learning experience has brought to the foreground an understanding of what the future could hold for me, and the broad amount of choices I have, in terms of paths for the future. So much potential benefits have arisen from this academic year, through the struggles and the victories. My familial struggles have posed a largely significant challenge for me to overcome this year, influencing my studying. This presents a “Catch 22” scenario because you love your family and would practically do anything for them, however they have the potential to be your detriment to, so it is always about being on that fine line where you do what is right and what is “good” for you as an individual. Though I may sound to philosophical, it makes much sense in the context of studying of the sciences. All-in-all I am grateful for this year and what it has taught me in the anatomy world.