THE ANATOMY OF MY STRUGGLE : A survivor's Story
From the moment I stepped into this institution as a wide-eyed fresher, I knew the road ahead wasn’t going to be easy, but nothing could’ve prepared me for just how wild the ride would be, especially as a non-residing student in a school where “hostels” often felt like a myth.
I’m a level 400 Physiotherapy student now, but looking back, it’s been three long, transformative years filled with every emotion on the spectrum. I wasn’t a resident student, so from day one, I had to learn what it meant to hustle the real way. While others had the comfort of rolling out of bed and into group studies or 7am lectures, I was up by 3am, chasing buses to Korle Bu, praying not to miss them, and sometimes still arriving late, exhausted but determined.
Level 100?? was a wild ride. If you wanted to find me, chances were high I’d be at Balme Library, Legon Tyme Out, or tucked away in a corner at Akuafo Reading Room or whiling away time as a proud day time percher at Akuafo hall. That was my whole life. I didn’t have a good phone, I had no hostel to call home, and at some point, I genuinely felt like a homeless student just drifting between books cos my phone can contain slides ,borrowed Wi-Fi. I must print out my course outline and some learning materials just to learn. I learned the art of solo studying because I couldn’t be on campus for group discussions. It was rough missed opportunities, fun activities, overwhelming isolation, and a chokehold schedules hence was dinning with a lot of resits.
But level 200? Guess what?? That was my comeback season. After all the wickedness level 100 showed me, I was determined to show up and show out. The 3 AM alarms to catch the bus to Korle Bu for lectures became a routine I dreaded but endured. That’s when I truly began to see the strength, I didn’t know I had. I fought through every resit, every delay, every tired moment, and somehow, I made it to class—even if I was late sometimes, because let’s be real, this stress wasn’t normal. Even you can testify.
Then came level 300, and I must say that it questioned my entire existence as a student. If level 100 was tough, level 300 was diabolical. The academic pressure, the emotional toll, the missed buses, the close calls with deadlines. I was drained in every sense of the word. But still, I kept pushing. I couldn’t kill myself, and somehow, God gave me strength on the days when it made absolutely no sense to keep going.
Through it all, there were fun moments that made the pain a little more bearable. The random hangouts, laughter in between lectures, shared struggles that bonded us, and the joy of knowing I wasn’t alone, even when it felt like it. Those memories? Mwuahh!! Golden!!!
Today, I look back and smile. Nobody can understand the journey unless they’ve walked it. But me? I lived it. And I survived it. Against all odds, I’m standing tall, and as I’m in my final year, I can boldly say, I and the school passed through each other . And guess who came out stronger?? Me😂
A big shoutout to every sleepless night, every bus I missed and almost missed, and every moment I felt like giving up. I see you all. But we made it here
“They gave me stress, I gave perseverance. We aren’t the same and that’s a flex”- Woanyahhthekr8ar(level 400)
A Realistic Glimpse into University Life: My Journey from Level 100 to Level 300
As I reflect on my university journey, I realize that it’s been a rollercoaster of challenges and growth. From Level 100 to Level 300, I’ve faced numerous obstacles, but I’ve also developed valuable skills and strategies to overcome them. In my first year, I struggled to find accommodation and adjust to the freedom that came with university life, learning to balance my time and prioritize tasks. I soon realized that the notion of “killing myself” to pass my WASSCE, which was constantly drilled into me by my SHS teachers, was a myth – they had led us to believe that university life would be a time of complete freedom, where we could do anything, we wanted, but I soon discovered that this wasn’t entirely true. In Level 200, things got tougher with lectures on the main campus and practicals on the Korlebu campus, and anatomy was a particularly challenging course, but I persevered and learned to manage my stress levels. The first semester was an eye-opener, as I faced resits and the fear of repeating a level, but the second semester went smoothly, and I began to find my footing. In Level 300, our lectures were held on the Korlebu campus, which meant waking up early in the morning to catch the bus, and returning late in the afternoon, a routine that could be quite stressful at times. As an introvert, I’ve often struggled to make friends and network, but I’ve been working on developing my communication skills to become more extroverted. I’ve also learned to manage my stress levels by creating a healthy routine with resting periods and learning periods. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is low self-esteem, which has made me question my abilities and self-worth, and significantly affected my confidence. However, I’ve learned to adapt by spending more time with myself, practicing mindfulness, and focusing on my strengths, which has helped me build my confidence and develop a more positive self-image. Although I’m still working on building my confidence, I’m proud of the progress I’ve made so far, and I’m committed to continuing to grow and improve.
On a more positive note, university life has been an incredible experience for me. I’ve made some amazing friends, and I’m grateful to have course mates who are a vibe – we’ve been able to connect, share ideas, and support each other through the ups and downs of university life. Beyond academics, I’ve developed essential skills like time management, teamwork, and communication, and explored my passions and interests outside of academics through clubs and organizations. These experiences have enriched my university life and helped me grow as a person. As the Quran states in 2:286, “Allah doesn’t burden a soul with more than it can bear” – I believe that I can overcome any obstacle with patience and perseverance. I’m proud of the progress I’ve made and the lessons I’ve learned, and I hope that my experiences will inspire others to persevere and find their own path to success.
~Nihad (Level 300)