S.E.T. for socio-economic growth
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Malada Wamashudu is studying medicine
My high school was Thengwe High School. It is a quantile three school in Limpopo, in the Vhembe East district in Mutale, in the village of Tshandama. I attended this school from grade 8-12. It was really a great privilege for me as I have been able to produce good marks through the attention of teachers in the school.
The reasons may be classified in two ways: an intrinsic and extrinsic factor. When mentioning an extrinsic factor, it is what we are told by our elders about maths and science. They inflict fear in us through what they say. I still remember when I was in grade 8 and 9, seniors in grades 10-12 would come to us telling us that maths and science are really difficult. The evidence was that they were failing them. Then the intrinsic reason is from within ourselves. After being told all about maths and science we get to fear them and when they become challenging to us, we give up and say being difficult is their nature. From what I saw in grades 8 and 9, people who would come to us were those who were not performing well, but those having good grades would focus on their books and study. To solve all this we have to stop the stigma behind maths and science; learners have to be given an overview or guidance on how they can understand it better, rather than just being taught prescribed content.
I love challenges. I enjoyed maths since my childhood, I didn’t want anyone to do my maths homework for me since primary school. I still remember in my primary school (Matangari Primary School) my maths teacher, Mr Musandiwa told me that there is no maths problem that will be given to you without a solution. I grabbed that mentality and used it through-out my high school. With my love for challenges and that mentality I enjoyed maths. As for science, at primary school level I didn’t understand it that much, but I understood it at high school as it breaks down information about how technology works.
Achieving above the average. This is not only from my achievements but also seeing others achieve above the expected that inspires me to do the same.
I am studying medicine. Luckily this decision was not taken as a result of a sad event which occurred in my life. Life is important and must be valued. I value life and I have a desire to help people regarding their health. As I was growing up I came to know that diseases result from an imbalance in our bodies of which, if we balance the imbalance, the person would be cured. That simple process called homeostasis gave me much interest in studying medicine.
Don’t stop fighting for your dreams. You may not be the best in maths and science but that doesn’t mean you will not succeed in life. It is just a matter of your capability to do maths and science and if you are not able to manage maths and science, try something else.
Your future doesn’t start after high school, it starts exactly at your present grade, at your present age. That is where you should start crafting your future. Study as hard as you can and your effort will be recognised.
If you get accepted to the institution of your wish, you must not stop studying. Keep on studying as you were doing in matric and don’t live to regret anything.
After 10 years I see myself as qualified doctor (I will be done with my MBChB degree, internship and community service) and I will be studying for a speciality. On the other side I want to be an entrepreneur and start a campaign giving back to the community.
An achiever is someone who is always fighting to achieve, whether going through thick or thin, he/she always endures the pain and perseveres to achieve his/her goal. If he/she doesn’t achieve it, he/she doesn’t give up, but looks up and tries again.
S.E.T. for socio-economic growth
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