14 December, 2016
Babysis,
Congratulations for the gazillion time for being selected to university. I can imagine how excited you are, the anxiety… all the stories you have heard about how difficult college life can be… I feel like I am talking to me, in 2012, when I was also selected and I didn’t know what to really expect from the university experience. I am writing you this, and to that girl too, who stood where you are standing now. I am supposed to be writing my dissertation but here I am, trying to write to you before I’m an alumnus.
I have learnt so much in my time here in college. But the biggest lesson I’ve learnt is that God is faithful and he always keeps his promises. If he has trusted you enough to bring you to the Red Sea, HE WILL BRING YOU THROUGH IT. How he will do it is none of your business. Your job is to trust he will get you through it. I never expected to get to where I am today… heck, I thought those 20% MAT 122 grades I got would get me weeded! If I can do it, baby girl, don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do it!
Because I am very loud and talk way too much, here is a summary of things I learnt and would love to pass down to you:
1. Don’t ever ever ever skip church because you want to study or write an assignment. Never steal God’s time. Remember, God owns nobody. He will give you back whatever you give him, a hundredfold. Believe this.
2. Fight procrastination and laziness with all your might, especially in your first years of uni. Being a bit lazy in your fourth year is however, not entirely frowned upon (you will understand when you get where I am).
3. Don’t skip classes just because you don’t feel like going to class. Your brain will remind you of that careless behaviour while you panic in an exam room (experienced this a couple of times).
4. Don’t be an idle student. Speak up. Ask questions. If you can, make sure your course instructor knows you and has a sense of who you are. It will come in handy someday.
5. Join a club on campus. Do something. Have a passion and invest your time in it while you are still in college (there’s a club for right about any passion here on campus. If there isn’t one, start it). You will learn how to manage time, organise activities, work in a team and gain experience.
6. Attend every play, debate, art exhibition, quiz, panel discussion, concert, that you POSSIBLY can. Your soul needs it. Your mind needs it. You need it. Make memories.
7. The library was built for a purpose. Find a comfortable studying place or two, and make those spots your home. I guarantee that your GPA will appreciate it.
8. For assignments, collect as much information as you can before you get started. Pace yourself, but don’t put it off too long.
9. Do take naps. You are human, not a machine.
10. Don’t worry about a failed grade. I know it will tear you apart, but babygirl, you are here to LEARN. This is how you LEARN.
11. If you don’t feel like studying, don’t force yourself. Quality over quantity, every time.
12. Be friends with the hardworking kids. (You’re welcome).
13. EAT. Don’t skip meals. If you’re too broke for a meal, call home and tell them. Don’t EVER keep that kind of information to yourself.
14. Always get to your exam room early so you are calm. Refrain from people who try to cram information into their head 2 minutes before the exam. Relax. You got this. If you didn’t thoroughly study a certain topic, don’t worry about that. There’s little you can do at this point.
15. Always do these three things before stepping out of your room in the morning: Pray, make your bed and check yourself in the mirror.
16. Go home and refresh whenever you can.
17. Makes friends with your classmates. You are stuck with them for the next four years. Make them your family.
18. Don’t waste time on boys. They are young and figuring out life just like you, too. Invest this time in knowing yourself. Your Prince Charming, Love of Your Life, Soulmate, Your Mtedza (or whatever silly pet name you will have for each other) is out there. Do your school first.
19. Have clear short term and long term goals. I mean, have BIG dreams. The bigger, the better. And work towards them everyday.
20. Own an umbrella and those ‘China’ plastic shoes. Don’t let the rain be a reason why you skipped class.
My list in not exhaustive and it does not mean that this is exactly what I did myself, there is a lot I wish I did better (punctuality was a big problem for me, please do better!). College for me has been a learning experience and with each year, I dropped some of the habits I brought here. I want you to do better, learn from me and have the best experience.
Lastly, as I have always told you, the beauty of college is you can be WHOEVER you want to be. Choose to be a Christian. When you come to the end of your undergrad, you will look back and thank God you chose that way. Don’t worry, God is there beside you. Just put your hand in his and breathe. You will never fail you.
I still have three more papers to study for and my dissertation isn’t going to write itself (manage your time better than I did, too). Enjoy the journey.
Love,
Your soon-to-be-a-Chanco-alumnus sister