Health Science Reviews

by Amanda Dlamini

This year has been one of the most challenging, yet important times in my life. Coming from KZN to Western Cape for the first time in my life, I had to adapt to a new environment and during my undergrad, I was not exposed to many practicals or lab work, so adjusting to the honour’s year at UCT was not easy. Everything felt new and overwhelming, in my previous studies we mostly focused on theory, so suddenly doing advanced lab work was a big shock for me.

One of the hardest moments was during my second week in the lab, I had to do an assay for the third time because I kept making mistakes. I remember crying that day and thinking about quitting the program. I felt like I didn’t belong here and that I couldn’t keep up with the pressure. There was so much work from modules and presentations, and it was hard for me to study fast enough or keep up with deadlines. I felt very stressed and lost at times.

But with time, I slowly started learning how things work. I asked for help and kept trying even when it was hard. Now I feel more confident in the lab, and I have gotten used to how things are done at UCT, I have grown not only in knowledge but also in strength and courage. I am proud of how far I’ve come, even though the journey is not over yet. I truly hope the rest of the year continues to go well and that I finish strong.