Health Science Reviews

by Zahra Parker

For many years, I have been rushing towards the next milestone. I first learnt of the prospect of being a clinician-scientist from none-other than a Ted Talk when I was in Grade 11. A year later, I learnt I could pursue this dream through the Intercalated MBChB-BMedSci Honours programme at UCT. With a clear-cut vision, I set out running towards this Honours year. The journey included applying to Medicine at UCT, then the Molecular Medicine course, and eventually gaining admission to the Human Genetics Honours course. Each academic goal I met in these past few years was accompanied with a sigh of relief, and an eager anticipation for what goal would need work next.

As I approach the perceived end of this chapter, I find myself slower, kinder and more patient. My time in this degree has taught me the value of slowing down.

My degree in Human Genetics has challenged the more rigid aspects of my personality. In medicine, I kept my Outlook Calendar close at hand, scheduling almost every activity of the day to maximize every free moment. In science, I learned to go with the flow. Science takes time. Science requires waiting. Science entails sitting with scientific papers until you gain understand. There are limited shortcuts to genuine comprehension; A YouTube video will not always provide the answer. Hard work takes time, even when it feels that there should be another way to spend it more efficiently. Be slow.

With my research project involving PCR, sequencing, and ELISA, there are numerous experiments to prepare for and perform, each taking hours to complete. There is no guarantee that the experiment will succeed, and when it fails, the week needs to be rearranged to find time to repeat it. The Honours year grants more agency over how time is spent, but the nature of science introduces factors beyond one’s control. Setbacks in the laboratory may be accompanied by unexpected circumstances such as changing loadshedding schedules, taxi strikes, illness, and more. I had to unlearn the habit of feeling responsible for things beyond my control. It is a challenge to counter the persistent internal monologue that circles back to, “You could’ve planned around it!” The best way serve yourself is to be kinder, pick yourself up, and try again.

Science involves waiting. I still remember the first few weeks in the Laboratory Techniques course where I found the laboratory work to be unbelievably time-intensive. Now, I view time in the laboratory as a protected time to practice patience, let the mind wander, and to enjoy the quiet moments. I have traded in feeling busy for a sense of feeling fully present, when measuring my sense of fulfilment, which has been an unexpected joy.

I feel incredibly grateful to have taken this year out to do the Honours degree. I believe it has given me a chance to reframe how I use my time, approach challenges, and envision my future career. This especially would not have been possible without the support of my supervisors, lecturers, and peers. Slower, kinder and more patient – I will carry these lessons with me into my training as a health care professional, and scientist.