Life after high school on its own is not easy. But working hard and meeting the requirement, only to be rejected for medicine, is definitely one of the hardest challenges Lethabo faced during her first year in university. As the last of the three children of her mother, and first to attend university, it was definitely a milestone, and not something Lethabo would take for granted.

Although she hadn’t always dreamed of being a doctor, Lethabo was inspired by her mother into loving medicine. She had many interests growing up and loved communication. As time went by, Lethabo found interest in being a public protector. This dream was inspired by Thuli Madonsela. But her father wanted her to be an engineer, her mother wanted her to do medicine. Doing medicine meant leaving her technical school to attend a school that offered biology. She later joined Sir Pierre Van Reneveld high school where she could take biology. Lethabo loved the subject. “Although my career choice was influenced by my mom, I really didn’t lose anything,” she smiled. “I could still communicate with people and loved all my subjects.”

Lethabo applied to many universities. Eventually she visted the SMU-Sefako Makgatho Health Science University in person. “That is when I met a guy who advised me to take Bachelor of Science,” she sighed. “I would have probably taken a gap year if I didn’t physically go [and find out what was happening].”

After being rejected, Lethabo had no choice but to apply for a Bachelor of Science course. She had to restart the whole process. “I was so stressed, stress! I didn’t handle rejection well.” Lethabo had not only experienced a hard time but her mental health was on the line, she had lost weight and struggled to get through, “it was such a hard year, it was not what I expected.”

Due to the pandemic, the modules were taught online and the university delayed with sorting out technology in order to make it possible for online lessons to carry through. But that meant they had to rush through the lessons and tasks to make sure they didn’t get behind. “I had lost motivation because it was a career I didn’t even want.”

With everything getting difficult, Lethabo had to make a choice. She got herself tutors for chemistry and math as, “the lecturers were speeding through and it was up to you to study hard and pass.” Lethabo fought for help and appreciated the support she got as tutors helped her navigate through the changes and unfamiliar routine. “The tutors were so helpful and patient,” she smiled.

The lack of communication from the university has caused Lethabo a lot of stress and she would love to change that more especially in her current varsity. She wishes her current varsity would be a bit faster in terms of communication regarding students’ applications. “They take so much time, they give you false hope. They leave you hanging, especially if they don’t accept you.” Lethabo buries her head in her hands. She also thinks that the selection option for medicine is very different compared to other careers. “It is not as easy as I met the marks.” She frowned. “There are so many rules which are not nice.”

Although it was a very stressful year, Lethabo was inspired by how her tutors were involved in helping students. They motivated them and made sure they were up to date with assignments. “But my chemistry tutor was my biggest inspiration!” She smiles brightly. Her chemistry tutor was not only rejected once but twice despite the excellent results. It took him four years before being accepted into medicine. “His ability to not give up truly inspired me.”

Lethabo is currently enjoying her second year in university but her first year in medical school. She was very fortunate to be accepted into medicine and has a lot of work but nothing she can’t handle. And because she was credited for the modules she did in Bachelor of Science, she is having an easier time. “I’m only doing psychology and POME (practise of meds),” she smiled. “It is a very chill year for me, with a lot of free time on my end.”

Lethabo is very grateful for where she is now and is thankful to God and the support she has received. She is taking each step as it comes and chooses to focus on her mental health this year. “I’m recovering from last year’s trauma,” she told me.

She aspires to be a Neurologist some day and hopes to be a motivation to many young people out there.