Health Science Reviews

By Zengeziwe Shabangu

When I look back at semester 1, I’m still asking myself how I survived that nightmare? Imagine moving to another province for the first time with no friends or family, just myself, and I had to leave everything behind. For the first 2 months, I had no proper accommodation, I was depressed, and classes had already started, I was really falling behind. Thanks to my lecturer, she was always there for me, making sure that I was okay. She would ask me for updates regarding my situation. I didn’t even have funding, but she told me to calm down since there was a bursary that would be opening around May. I was placed in a temporary residence where I was afraid that I was going to be kicked out anytime, but UCT still didn’t abandon me. In April, I received an email telling me that I got a permanent
res I smiled like a 2-year-old seeing sweets. The residence was really good, and it felt like home, plus I had my own space. I cried tears of joy.

Let’s move on to my honours journey, which was the toughest part. I remember getting my first draft of my research proposal back from my supervisor. It was covered in red ink, with a lot of corrections. I cried so badly, I was even thinking negatively, and I lost self-confidence. My supervisor supported me, and he never gave up on me. Instead, he suggested that I should visit the Writing Centre to get a clear understanding, and that really helped me, things
started to make sense. Modules were really chowing me so badly. I even asked for UCT counselling sessions, because the stress was so real and I was even losing weight. I had to make this decision before losing myself.

I am a very shy person; in fact, an introvert, and I find it difficult to express my feelings. I felt like an outsider in class, the feeling of not belonging was crazy. I guess it was because I had never shared a class with people of diverse racial identities before, and I had no idea how to fit in. When time passed, I started engaging with my classmates, and I realised that I was missing out, they were so cool, supportive and welcoming people. I hated presentations with all my heart; I would panic every time during the presentation. I spoke to one of my classmates about this issue, and she told me to accept the fear because there were still more presentations to come. And she was right, that’s when I realised that I had no choice but to deal with this fear in a positive way, and I slowly gained confidence.

The exams were hectic; I would barely sleep, energy drinks and bioplus became my daily bread. I would have sleepless nights because I had a feeling that I didn’t know anything. I’m just glad I survived the exam season with the help I got from my lecturers, classmates, family and friends. Thanks to the UCT library, which was open 24/7, it really helped me
because I was struggling to study in my room, it became my second home. Life without funding was really hard, but I was lucky, I received the UCT postgraduate funding, which helped me cover some of my fees. I received funded parcels monthly from UCT because I was not funded, which really helped me since I was struggling financially. I’m very proud of myself for fighting the problems I was facing. I learnt a lesson that in Honours tears are shed, stress and even depression are experienced, but never give up because UCT did not give up on me either, it is always there for students.