Studying is a process, not a race

Ms NP Ceza

Studying with Unisa has been quite an adventure for me. As an adult learner I had to juggle between my many life roles - while at the same time being mindful not to cause any suffering to others because of my studies. It was also always a challenge to meet the submission deadlines amidst work and family demands. I had to learn to stop complaining that the day is only twenty-four hours long and to be thankful that it is not twenty hours. I thank God for my caring supervisor who kept on telling me that studying is “a process, not a race”. He encouraged me to be thorough in every step. My hours of studying happened in the evenings, often until the early morning hours and time for my family happened during the weekends. The subject that I enjoyed the most was: “Personality development and behavioural problems”. I enjoyed it so much that I got a distinction in it and my second best was “Adult learning facilitation” even though I got my lowest mark in it – 61%. I developed much interest in e-learning as I was researching on it. My research topic was on: ”Challenges faced by staff members in ICT training at a public university in the Eastern Cape.”

It was a big relief when I finally submitted the last chapter of my dissertation for assessment. Unfortunately, that was when tragedy struck. I was informed that my supervisor had suffered a fatal heart attack. This was a devastating blow for me. Many people told me that my new supervisor was likely to make me start my research from scratch. Thank goodness I found myself in the capable hands of another very good supervisor. I did not have to start afresh, but I did have to provide explanations for every step of the chapters I had already completed. Where my explanations were not satisfactory, I had to reformulate, re-write and resubmit. It was a strenuous, almost draining task, but it helped me to sharpen my research understanding.

My gratitude goes to both Unisa and to my supervisors.
Ms Nqops Ceza