To my younger self

Dear excited one,

This is the beginning of a new life experience. I often think about how proud you were, as a little girl of 8, to be introduced as “daddy’s little girl”. A part of you will always be that little girl. Now, you’re looking at 20 and you’re far from home so it’s time you became someone else. Welcome to university Refilwe.

Here, you must develop new habits. Wake up in the morning and get to lectures on time. You have an unforgettable face and so other students are watching and it’s those very students who could employ you one day. Think about this when you’re about to walk in 15 minutes late, while Nicky Cockcroft lectures on “Reading for academic purposes”.

To your laziness, remember that there is a man out there earning more money than he needs and once you’ve failed your courses, he’ll deposit a large sum into your account and you’ll never have to study again. I would also like to remind you of something in you that will never change: that quiet determination to succeed and slowly take over the world. Studying is a slow process. Once you’ve mastered this you’ll be well on your way to achieving your aspirations.

That doubt you often have about yourself and your abilities is something I’d like you to lay down. Substitute it with a passion for your studies and an unshakable self assurance that will be the fortitude with which you face tough times. Don’t forget that others are trying as much as you to build new identities for themselves. Have fun with other first year students and make this an experience you can laugh about, as well as celebrate, on that day when you all graduate.

Yours with applause,
Fee M.