Hurdles accompanying the shift from high school to university did not deter Mr Anele Nyosana from setting academic excellence as his goal!
Nyosana says he was unfamiliar with functions such as using a laptop and participating in Zoom meetings when he started his first year as a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting Student. He had to learn and adapt quickly.
‘My first year at UKZN was very challenging, however, the First Year Experience (FYE) mentors helped me adapt to the university environment and assisted me with tricks and tips on surviving not only my first year but my entire UKZN academic journey.’
Nyosana, currently in his second year at the UKZN’s School of Accounting, Economics and Finance, recently received an academic excellence award from the Unit of Teaching and Learning in the College of Law and Management Studies for achieving outstanding marks in the first semester of his first year.
‘I did not expect to receive the accolade so I committed myself to working really hard and to not take the award for granted.’ he said.
Amongst other challenges he faced in his first year, were the demands of cultivating effective study skills and adapting to the approach required for university-level coursework. ‘I worked hard to keep up to speed with lectures by doing pre-readings and going through the work again after the lecture, which reduced the work load around exam time,’ he said.
Nyosana says dedicating a substantial amount of time working on past papers played a crucial role in keeping him well-prepared for exams. He stayed focused on achieving excellent marks and maintaining a strong work ethic which he feels is the key to success.
‘That approach helped me end up among top achievers in class and throughout the entire first year UKZN College of Law and Management Studies intake which again I had not expected.’ he said. ‘Academically my aim is to get the highest qualification possible.’
Words: Samukelisiwe Cele
Picture: Supplied