“I do not want to do this for the rest of my life.”
2019-2020
My journey started in 2019. Fresh high school graduate with high expectations for my future ahead. It did not start of great. I was on a waiting list in 2019 and knew only a short 2 days beforehand that I had gotten in to the University of the Free State. The only university where I had applied – to study BA Language practice. My parents helped me a lot during this time. “One day at a time,” my dad would always say. My mother, who was always there with encouraging words. “Just give your best, and you will be okay!” What is language practice you may ask? I still have no idea! By the end of it, I realized that Language Practice was not for me. Even though I managed, and my marks were average, I couldn’t help but think to myself: “I do not want to do this for the rest of my life.” My first year was rough, from failing 2 subjects – having only failed a single subject in high school, grade 10 – and had to redo them. I decided not to continue with Language Practice. After registering for BA Journalism, the next year, with the help of Dr. Marias, the first few classes were great. I looked forward to my classes. I was excited to learn more. That year went down better than the previous one, but it was not the best. I still worked towards my future, one day at a time.
2021-2022
The following year it got better towards the end. We could attend class on campus. I only had one on campus. ‘How terrible.’ I thought. By 2022, I was tired and ready to give up. What kept me going was that the fact that I had no back-up plan. What am I going to do if I had no degree? I needed to finish
my degree before it finished me. I was attending one class on campus and the rest were still online.
2023
This brings us to 2023, my last year – Finally! It had it’s ups and downs but what I enjoyed most was that we got to use the skills we had been taught up until this point. We were writing in Journalism now! Something I had been looking forward to since my first journalism class. As frustrating as this year had been, with group work especially, I am relieved to be where I am today. Grateful for the things I have learned. And excited for what lays ahead. I am working towards my future one day at a time!
“Just do your best and you will be okay!” – My mom
