Health Science Reviews

By Moleboheng Moipatli
Newness! I am one individual who gravitates towards change. It brims with so much hope and possibility. Change invites us into the unknown, and while it may bring some challenges, I’ve found that those challenges often become the breeding ground for growth and greatness. So, when I began this year at a new institution, in a new environment, with new opportunities to learn, I was filled with excitement. I could not wait for the classes to begin, and when we finally received an email announcing the eventual commencement of classes, I thought to myself: “Finally! The new has begun.”
The first term was a period of discovery. I especially enjoyed the General Techniques course; every class felt like an opportunity to sharpen my skills and expand my knowledge (I really like learning new things, especially in biological sciences). But having to navigate through everything wasn’t a walk in the park. For example, making friends was not as straightforward, but because I’ve always been a bit of a loner, at first it didn’t bother me. Yet as the term progressed, the fast-paced teaching and the generalization that we all came from similar undergraduate backgrounds made me feel out of place. That was my first encounter with imposter syndrome. Strangely, what helped was realizing I wasn’t
alone (we are never really alone). Conversations with my classmates who shared my background reminded me that many of us were experiencing the same insecurities. That realization was liberating. It also taught me to speak out more and not hide my struggles (there’s no shame in struggling).
I found the second term both epic and demanding. Looking back, I see how much I have grown as a young scientist. I have especially gained more confidence and acquired valuable knowledge and experience through the four module cycles our stream offered. Knowledge truly is power! I believe the cycles helped me discover my voice as a scientist.
I connected with very interesting and intelligent people…there’s hope for the future. I also noticed the support from the staff as another factor that contributed to my positive experience in my studies. One of the highlights was learning about the biology of cancer. The disease’s complexity fascinated me, but it also left me quite frustrated. After seeing the challenges researchers face, I can honestly say that cancer research and I are not a perfect match; in other words, I AM BEEFING WITH CANCER. Maybe I will join the fight in the near future, but for now, I will keep cheering for those who continue to battle that disease.
As I now reflect, I can see that even new things come with mountains that we must surmount. However, I have come to learn that embracing the community around you and accepting the help that is offered is imperative to overcoming even the toughest challenges (two is better than one, three is even better!). My advice? Don’t wing it alone; there really is beauty and power in community, and getting to the top requires stepping out of your comfort zone while working with others. Moreover, I have learnt that blessings also come with sacrifices and hard choices. If I were to repeat my Honours year, I would only wish to undo the mistakes I made. But I am learning to be kind to myself, after all, I have not walked this path before, and mistakes are part of the journey. This Honours year taught me that growth is rarely comfortable, but it is always worthwhile. And as I move forward, not sure what my future holds, I do so with gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose for the next chapter of my career.