The Department of Library Services would like to congratulate Wanani Sitsula and Brenda Nsanzya on their recent graduations. We asked them a few questions about their journey and this is what they said:
1. Can you tell us how you feel right now after your graduation?
Embarking on a journey and then finally reaching the destination after setbacks and hardship gives one an indescribable feeling of excitement, fulfillment, and humility.
2. Did the library assist you in your studies? How?
I must confess that although studying through UNISA, not once did I make use of their library but only used the UP library for resources and studying at times until the early hours of the morning. The 24-hour study area was so crucial as one accessed it at any time and the WiFi came in handy.
3. Did you have any hardships along the way?
Financial hardship was the biggest challenge as one had to fund one's own studies, so at times one would not even register as there was just no money. Working and studying was also a challenge as one had to balance the two without making the other one suffer.
4. How was it to study during the COVID-19 pandemic?
I must say that studying during the COVID-19 pandemic was one of the best things ever simply because one had more time devoted to one's studies as everyone was at home due to the lockdown and therefore one achieved better results. So, for me, that was one of my best times for studying.
1. Can you tell us how you feel right now after your graduation?
I am so proud of myself to have taken such a huge leap in my academic path and to see it through to the end ... what a relief to have been awarded the Doctoral Degree in person as this has been my greatest wish to complete the PhD journey and experience the red gown bliss in reality!
2. Did the library assist you in your studies? How?
Throughout the PhD journey, library colleagues and my supervisors have been very supportive and what a privilege to stand behind a great EMS team! When you pursue a PhD programme, the road is long,lonely and time pressured, so I am grateful to Lindiwe for her continuous support, particularly pre-COVID-19, in terms of study leave afforded to attend to my studies.
3. Did you have any hardships along the way?
Oh yes... but I call them reality checkpoints. I learnt earlier on in the journey that life happens while you pursue postgraduate studies, and there were times when I entertained the thought of shelving the PhD project or abandoning it altogether because of life pressures. However, my resolve to complete was stronger than these moments and my reasons for pursuing the PhD until the end were even stronger. Yes, I held many lone pity-parties, but I also mastered the art of self-motivation in the process.
4. How was it to study during the COVID-19 pandemic?
I must say the uncertainty that was synonymous with COVID-19 particularly in 2020 was quite unsettling for my concentration. However, over time, I was able to create a perfect work-home-school balance during the lockdown levels. I must add that surprisingly, it is over these two years that I worked on my thesis the most and experienced significant levels of contentment in the project.
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