The Underdog Becomes A Graduate
Thabisa Moloele • January 18, 2021
The definition of underdog is a person who is likely not to win or succeed. Attending a high school like Pecanwood College as prestigious as it is that is exactly how I felt, like an underdog. Being surrounded by peers who were younger than me and performing well not only in sports but academically was slightly intimidating. There were times that I wished that I could send my parents a text saying I got a distinction for test or exam, the amount of time and endless tutoring I did I still couldn’t send that magical text to them. So one night I sat in my room in hostel thinking about my interests and what it would be like to be successful in something that really mattered to me. I had two options, to either stress myself over getting a distinction or continue doing my best. So I chose option two, I was no longer fixed on a distinction I was focused on making myself and those surrounding me proud. The first proud moment was matriculating in 2015, the year that came with so many challenges personally and academically. Walking into 2016 I could finally say goodbye to what was and now look at what could be.
In the beginning of that year I was set on attending school at the IIE MSA (formerly known as Monash South Africa) but unfortunately I did not meet the requirements. Devastated I just wanted to go home but my mother was determined to find a school that we found ourselves at Varsity College Sandton registering for a Higher Certificate in Event Management. What we liked most about this qualification was that once it was completed I would then have a NQL 5 qualification. During this course I learnt a lot about executing and planning events that I realised how much I loved the whole process behind hosting an event that I joined a committee on campus that focused on hosting events for the students, the Social Committee. Once I completed my first qualification I moved onto pursing a bachelor’s degree in English and Communications, itself came with its own challenges. The biggest challenge was completing my final year in a very strange yet unusual conditions as 2020 brought a worldwide Coronavirus pandemic.
December 18th 2020 was the day the results were being released I was so nervous as the last time I was this nervous was in 2015 waiting to get the text message of my matric results. I logged into my campus portal and there I saw that I had passed my degree with 1 distinction for Global Communications. It was a very exciting moment that I couldn’t keep it to myself I told my family and close friends the good news.
It took a few years but today in 2021 I can officially say that I am a two time IIE Varsity College Graduate. No longer feel like an underdog! I took my own time to chase my dreams and create my own success story.
What’s next? I’ve been provisionally accepted to 3 different schools for a honours degree and I’m currently looking for internships in the desired field of Journalism or Communications. I would like to start a blog mid year and become a content producer for a television program in the future.
In closing I would like to acknowledge my parents because without their love and support none of this would’ve even been possible. I thank them for always believing and encouraging me to live out my dreams. I’m forever grateful to the both of you.To those that feel like underdog know that you are capable of creating your own success in your own way and time. I did it and so will you just believe in yourself! This is just the beginning…
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