Health Science Reviews

By Jessica Kanyemba

It feels like it was just yesterday when I was overwhelmed by emotions upon receiving acceptance into my dream course; I barely blinked, and suddenly I am halfway into the year?! During my first day of Honours the recurring advice to “cherish every moment as the year goes by very fast” resonated deeply proving itself true. Nevertheless, I am beyond grateful for the past few months as they unveiled a new side of me. The biggest change I’ve seen was stepping out of my comfort zone. I quickly had to learn that unlike my undergraduate years, Honours year is less focused on “being in your own bubble” and more on interactions and networking with others.

Let’s do a little recap of the year so far.

The year started off strong with a General Techniques course were the days felt more like a 9-to-5 job. I was introduced to so many passionate lecturers who all did a phenomenal job at equipping us with the necessary knowledge as young budding scientists.

Following swiftly were the Stream-specific Techniques and Modules. Enrolling into the Neuroscience and Physiology courses was the best decision (and yes, I know we have the fanciest building). I had the opportunity to meet the other students who are all lovely; in fact, we are an inseparable “squad” now! The lecturers were all at the forefront of such a successful semester. I absolutely loved the layout of the lectures – the semiformal more interactive based lessons, the nerve-wrecking but rewarding presentations and the endless but insightful research papers all not only refined my learning approach but also enhanced my communication skills.

AND THEN came the pivotal moment … choosing a research project. I can still recall the nerves as I tried my absolute best to “sell myself” to potential supervisors. The period from choosing a project of interest to awaiting an outcome must have been the most anxious I’ve ever felt in my life. Yet, the process bore fruit making all the hard work and efforts worth it. So far, the research component of has taught me valuable skills to producing quality literature.

As I reflect on the past few months, I realize that the journey has certainly not been easy; however, it is not impossible. The year comes with a lot of growth and gratitude, and I am eager to see what the last half has in store!