Begin at the beginning and you will finish strong

As students prepare to return to campus for the 2024 academic year, Professor Buyi Sondezi, Head of Department: Physics in the Faculty of Science at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) has shared some words of wisdom.

“Everything that happens has a starting and an endpoint. We need to take note of the beginning part critically, to increase the chances of desired results at the end. Before you can begin anything, you need to know where you are physically, financially, academically and mentally because all of these will determine how you will start.”

She encourages students to understand why they are in these spaces (institutions of higher learning) to be able to utilise them fully. For first-year students who are coming into a new environment, she implores them to not be discouraged or feel overwhelmed.

“Over and above coming to study towards a degree, there are other factors to consider which are a determiner of success. Among these is an important decision and task to continually counsel yourself and possibly get someone to walk with you. This constant reminder keeps one on course and focused on a goal.”

Mentorship is key

Prof Sondezi emphasised the need for mentorship. She urges students to find mentors or respond to institutions’ calls/programs for mentorship that are aimed at helping them on this university journey.

“Beginning in a specific new area needs you to be mentally strong as the demands of that space require you to be able to carry it. You must ensure that you can carry yourself in that space. It is then that the need for mentorship is imperative.

“Students come to institutions not knowing anyone most of the time. Having programmes that allow students a space to speak and breathe, and someone holding them by the hand until they can stand on their own is very critical.”

Prof Sondezi spoke on the lack of preparation leading to failure.

“Not being ready mentally and financially can mean you will not be able to focus by the time you have to go to lectures. As the year starts it demands one to be strong right from the beginning. You can’t start studying hard when the exams are here. What cripples some students is not being able to deal with these issues which can distract them when it is time to do and deliver the work. Yes, these factors are real and need to be dealt with as they affect the progress of a student, hence the assistance of a mentor will ensure that goals are clear and are being followed, worked at and achieved.”

Who and what you have around you will take you far

Points to remember: “You are coming into an environment that is resourced for your success. Your job is to find out which ones are for your maximum benefit and know how to utilise them efficiently. If you do not know where to find them, there are always ways to get information, which includes people you can ask. Knowing what is around you and who is around you will help a great deal.”

She also warned students to steer clear of people who do not share the same vision as them.

“You came to university with the mandate to fulfil your dreams and vision, to pass your degree in time and become a responsible citizen, but some people do not always have the same aspirations as you. Be careful not to get derailed by these delaying tactics. People get influenced in ways they are not aware of. Some of the things begin small but do not end there, they might have repercussions on your success.”

Prof Sondezi also encouraged returning students who may have fallen by the wayside the previous year. She implored them to leverage their mistakes and make the best of this current opportunity. “We focus a lot on success but there are students who could not succeed the first time around. They think because they didn’t do it the first time, it can never be done. Learning from your failures is wise and must be taken with positivity. You can strategize to work better and be a better version of yourself. Today is a new beginning, and experience is the best teacher. It’s a chance to try again and become wiser in that area. Failure is not an end, but an opportunity to begin on a better and modified approach.”

It’s about how you finish

Finishing is as important as starting.

“If we could ask our first-year students how they want to finish their degree, most of them will just focus more on finishing in order to get a job. Unfortunately, improper responses to this question have resulted in many casualties and disappointments. Finishing a degree does not guarantee you will get a job. It is how you finish the degree that will determine if you get to the next level or not. It’s important to not just finish a degree but to have a good degree with good marks. People want competitive people out there, not just those who finished.”

How will you achieve this?

“After you have decided you need to get good marks and subsequently a good degree, do not be shy to ask for assistance if need be. You have to leverage all the resources available to you, from mentors, lecturers, tutors, attending lectures, and study notes, all these are resources that will ensure you a successful journey. Just make sure you begin right from the beginning.”

Begin at the beginning and you will finish strong, concludes Prof Sondezi.