by Zama Mngadi I applied for an Honours in Medical Biochemistry as my second option after taking a two-year hiatus from academia. I was pregnant with ambition and cultivated by the possibility of studying at the University of Cape Town. Back in UKZN, I was doing Anatomy and Physiology as my majors and dabbled in…

by Sithuthukile Madonsela ‘Gowisha’ is a slang term in IsiXhosa which means to be going through a lot, and if I had to choose one word to sum up my honours year thus far it would have to be this one. Despite being told by my friends who completed their honours last year that it…

by Pebetse Maimela My journey through my honours Biomedical Forensic Science degree has been nothing short of eye- opening and fascinating. From the moment I first walked into the laboratory, I knew that I was embarking on a path that would challenge me both intellectually and emotionally. One of the most intriguing aspects of my…

by Brittany Carstens When I recall the start of my honour’s week, a rush of emotions sweeps over me – the smell of intimidation, the touch of fear and anxiety, the sound of keyboards clicking, and the sight of peers who seemed to have it all together. I felt like an outsider, grappling with self-doubt…

by Dineo Madikgetla I vividly recall the day I received the acceptance letter from this institution. It was a crucial moment, one that forced me to make a difficult choice between this institution and the one I was currently attending. The decision weighed heavily on my mind until I recalled the wisdom of Mark Twain’s…

by Waheed Amanjee As I reflect on the journey of 2023, I find myself standing at a crossroads of immense proportions, a junction where my passion for clinical medicine and research converges. This year was not just about academic pursuits; it was a year of introspection, of confronting fears, and of making pivotal decisions that…

by Dzunisani Phaweni So, here I am, diving into my Honours year, armed with determination and a hint of desperation to prove myself. A born and bred Capetonian, the plan was always simple: school, UCT, conquer the world. Needless to say, the wisdom of hindsight reveals my naïveté, as clearly, I thought life was just…

by Sharyn Van Der Walt I came into this year with so much excitement, hope and motivation. I thought that this was going to be the year that I finally found the right career path for me – I was going to learn such cool new things and be exposed to some of the most…

by Simange Sithonga My Honours year started off with an unsettling experience as a new UCT postgrad student. During the first few months of the first semester, my friend and I were involved in an armed robbery while making our way to campus to study. Unfortunately, I lost my phone and laptop in the process.…

by Jwalane Sephiri As 2023 began, I was excited because I was about to embark on an Honours degree in Biomedical Science at the prestigious University of Cape Town, one of the top institutions in the country. The backdrop of Cape Town, with its stunning landscapes and rich cultural tapestry, was a dream come true.…