Health Science Reviews

By Hlaluko Maluleke

The first three months of my Honours journey were incredibly tough. It was difficult to adjust to life in Cape Town, as I’m used to the hot and sunny weather of my home province. The cold and windy climate here made it even harder, and everything is so expensive. Being miles away from home and surrounded by unfamiliar faces made me homesick, and the academic challenges I faced also added to that.

At first, I found the Honours workload overwhelming. I struggled to understand the course material and often felt like I didn’t belong. I constantly felt lost, like a stranger wandering through a fog with no sense of direction. Most nights, I stayed up late or didn’t sleep at all, as I tried to meet looming deadlines. Energy drinks became a regular part of my routine just to stay awake and keep going. Let me not forget the constant mental breakdowns; I often found myself in tears, overwhelmed by the pressure. The exhaustion from trying to get everything done became too much. There were many moments of self-doubt, I can’t even count how many times I thought about deregistering and going back home. The stress felt unbearable at times and all l wanted to do was to give up. What made this experience bearable was the incredible support I found. My lecturers and supervisors were always willing to listen, offering thoughtful advice and encouragement. They never made me feel alone in this struggle. Speaking to my classmates also eased my burden. Hearing that they, too, were overwhelmed reassured me that I wasn’t the only one fighting this battle. We were all in the same boat, dealing with the same challenges.

One of the toughest parts of my Honours year was the constant presentations. I’ve always been shy, and speaking in front of people was never easy for me. But here, presentations were a weekly thing, and there was no escaping them. Each time I stood up in front of my classmates, my heart would race, and my hands would shake and sweat. Presenting to a small group of 8 students was supposed to be less intimidating, but it felt even more intense, I felt exposed. The serious looks on their faces and the way their eyes stayed fixed on me made me feel vulnerable and more nervous. My voice would crack from the nerves, and I could hear the echo of my own anxious voice bouncing around the room.

However, with time I began to improve with every presentation. Little by little, I learned how to manage my nerves and speak with more confidence. It wasn’t easy, but I am proud of the progress I made. Honours is only a year long, but it’s packed with intense coursework and research, requiring dedication, hard work, and strong time management. Without proper planning, it’s easy to fall behind. Though the first few months were tough, I had some positive moments. As things got better, I started to enjoy the experience more, especially during meetings when our lecturers treated us to snacks, refreshments, and pizza to help us unwind. That support made a big difference and gave me something to look forward to especially the refreshments!

Looking back, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Honours is challenging, but I’ve learned a lot  so far and feel hopeful for the future.