Blog by Kwekwe
So far, so good. Gen Zs will say the agenda is “agending”. It is the dissertation period, done with all my classes and assessments. Looking back and seeing how far I have come, I am in awe! (Somebody pass me the tissues!). The journey has been worthwhile, the learning process has gotten easier and better with time, and I met awesome people as well. In 3 months give or take I will be done with my dissertation, and done with school in general. It is short lived, but everything has been nothing short of magnificent.
I came to Edinburgh in September. It was the first time in my whole life away from home, and this was the biggest leap I’d even taken out of my comfort zone! I was scared, stressed out and scared again (yes, twice!) about everything, especially the uncertainties of “what next?” The learning system at the University was very different from what I was used to, and that scared me the most – I was afraid of failing most of the time.
That fear really took a toll on me, but with time I got to understand that when it comes to learning it is only when you enjoy the process that it gets easier. Assessments became essays that I enjoyed writing, trying to convince the marker that this is the best idea that they will ever come across. My grades got “finer” (a term I stole from my friend Diana), learning got simpler and I was always looking forward to challenging myself by questioning my thought process and the ideas I had. A skill that I carried outside academics and incorporated into my life and it has been a game changer!
Away from academics, one thing that helped me is asking (ask and ask!). Do not know something, ask. Need help, ask. The University of Edinburgh fraternity is here for you and with you. I used to never seek help – some things got draining, but I would keep to myself. Until one day I got overwhelmed, I reached out and the support I got from the staff was the best! Ever since then I’ve made it a habit to seek help. When I got confused I would send emails to lecturers, to the relevant people and to friends and it got less overwhelming. I started enjoying my university life even more. I realized that it is not that hectic afterall. Rest assured that you can have the best time of your life as a full-time postgraduate student (balancing academics, while having fun) if you ask for help where you need it.
Just when you thought you made enough friends during Welcome Week, more keep flocking! My classmates became some of my closest friends, they have been supportive. We would (still do) support each other academically and organise outdoor sessions that helped us unwind from books. I made friends from other schools as well, engineering, art, medicine, mathematics, and they made the journey worthwhile! I have been an indoor person for the longest time but I met students who made me love the outdoors so much!
A life hack – when it gets overwhelming, do ask for help. The support is there and it makes a difference. Do not fear the new, as with time you will find your rhythm. Take breaks – a stroll maybe, because mother nature has a way of calming you down when you are in distress, and a walk in the Meadows can do wonders. Essays and deadlines will always be there, but your wellbeing matters more so take breaks. Breathe. You have got this!
So here I am, a little braver, a lot wiser, and still figuring it out one step at a time. If you’re just starting out, know this: it gets easier, I promise. Trust the process, ask for help, and don’t forget to live a little along the way. I came to Edinburgh uncertain, and I will be leaving with purpose, friendships, and memories. This chapter is almost over, but the growth? That’s lifelong.
