By Nondi Makwela
Earlier this year, I graduated. I was unsure about going to my graduation. Everything, from having to buy a last-minute outfit to my sister not being available to help, and the rush of putting everything together, made me feel certain that I should have stayed at home that day. No one, and nothing that happened, could have changed how I felt. Despite all of that, after all the hard work I had put in, I ended up looking amazing. I took lots of selfies because I was proud of what I had accomplished and of everything I had overcome to reach that moment.
The feelings I had about graduation were in stark contrast to the day I found out that I had been accepted into the Biomedical Honours programme. I was jumping for joy. I had so much energy that I felt like I could have run a marathon. Physically impossible, of course, but on that day it certainly felt as though I could. Everything happened so quickly after that. I had to pack my bags and get moving. Once classes started, I hit the ground running. There were plenty of lectures, assignments, and explanations to keep up with, all within just a few weeks. There were a few bumps in the road along the way, and there are still many more to tackle. Honestly the joy that had me jumping has worn off and the reality has settled in its place.
Looking back, the contrast between how I felt on those two days highlights my strength and resilience. The hard work I had put in before graduation and the effort I have continued to put in since being accepted into the honours programme have both shaped the person I am becoming. Although the emotions surrounding each milestone were completely different, they both required perseverance.
The dread I felt while trying to put everything together for graduation is similar to the dread I felt sitting in front of my computer, staring at a blank screen, not knowing where to begin writing this reflective piece. At first, both situations felt overwhelming. However, just like preparing for graduation, I eventually found a way forward. I have come to realise that moments like these are often part of the struggle found in great stories with remarkable outcomes.
As I write this, I find myself thinking that I had hoped things would have changed by now. I thought that by the time I wrote this reflection, I would be able to write something more positive about this year. Instead, I think there is something inspiring about writingwhile I am still in the middle of the journey. I am still facing challenges, still learning, and still persevering. Perhaps that is the story this year is trying to tell—not one of reaching the destination, but one of continuing to move forward despite the uncertainty.
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