Health Science Reviews

by Juandre Makaka

As I sit here, reflecting on the tumultuous journey where I am in the last stretch to my Sarah Baartman moment, I can’t help but marvel at the intricate web of characters that played a role in getting me this far. You see, dear reader, earning a degree is not just an individual feat; it’s more like orchestrating a chaotic symphony involving a motley crew of professors, friends, caffeine, and the occasional talking-to-yourself session.

In the beginning, as I stared down the barrel of my chosen field of study, I naively believed it was a solo expedition. Armed with determination and a caffeine addiction, I dove headfirst into my coursework, assuming that success could be achieved through sheer stubbornness alone. Oh, how innocent I was!

It didn’t take long for me to realize that my degree was a lot like constructing a complicated piece of furniture. Sure, you get an instruction manual, but who reads those anyway? Soon, I was enlisting the help of every available mentor, lecturer, tutorial YouTube channel, and definitely ChatGPT (if Google disappointed me) I could find. It was like forming a support group for people who couldn’t quite figure out how Mtb kept on being a problem in South Africa.

And let’s not forget the fellow students who quickly became my partners-in-academic-crime. Actually, I call them my Academic Avengers. The moment they all assemble, I know my sanity will be saved with laughs and some good banter. Late-night study sessions turned into impromptu therapy sessions, complete with the age-old question, “What were we thinking when we signed up for this?” Our shared bewilderment turned into camaraderie as we trudged through assignments and exams, united in our bafflement and mutual love for food, fun, and science.

Speaking of caffeine, the true unsung hero of this academic saga is the magical elixir that is coffee, sometimes an energy drink or two. Whether it’s the daily dose of motivation, the midnight fuel for cram sessions, or the secret weapon against those dreaded 9 AM classes that were followed by lab work, coffee has been my unwavering companion. If I ever write a memoir about this experience, I might just dedicate an entire chapter to the various coffee brands that kept me caffeinated and semi-sane.

But let’s not ignore the emotional support crew – friends and family who served as my personal cheering squad. Their unwavering belief in me was like a lifeline, keeping me afloat during moments of self-doubt. When I questioned my sanity in tackling this endeavour, they reminded me that I wasn’t alone in this wild adventure. Whether it was random food adventures with my Academic Avengers or the hour-long phone calls from my little biological cheer squad, those little moments in time kept me going.

So, here I am, all the wiser, surveying the battlefield of notes and highlighters that led me here. I can’t help but chuckle at the naivety of thinking I could accomplish this alone. As it turns out, it truly takes a village to get a degree. Lecturers, friends, family, caffeine, and a healthy dose of humour – they all played their part in this grand production.

And as I reflect on the chaos, the camaraderie, and the cups of coffee that fuelled my journey, I’m reminded that the degree I will hold in my hand isn’t just a piece of paper. It’s a testament to the power of community, the strength of support, and the undeniable truth that, yes, it does take a village (and a large coffee supply) to finish a degree.