Pushing Through The Pain To Attain Academic Excellence
“The following diploma is awarded, Cum Laude!!!”
Hearing those words were a dream that came true. Three years of hard work, lack of sleep, a lot of coffee for energy and endless amount of support turned into something so many can just dream of. I actually did it.
It was not an easy journey but it was absolutely worth it. The past three years was a rollercoaster ride I will never forget…
I started my first year at TUT in 2016, in the Faculty of Science, studying Sport and Exercise Technology. The ultimate goal was to become a biokineticist.
Road Blocks to Dreams Bring a Swift Change in Direction
In August, my dreams got shattered when we were no longer allowed to complete our BTech in Biokineticist due to the change in curriculum. A swift change in courses, with a lot of help, got me to start my second year in Sport Management in 2017.
The year started off very hard with a new course and many new faces. It was very tough but I managed to make friends quickly.
During a camp in May another disaster struck… I tore my ACL in my knee and I was booked off for six weeks. I had to await an operation and missed another 6 weeks of classes. That in total is my whole second semester.
“With great support from my parents and lecturers I managed to finish another year with an average above 80%.” – Anouschka Swart
My finale year was a blast. I managed to get a CATHSSETA internship where I learned quite a number of skills. Being a CATHSSETA gsport TUTMLS intern came at the perfect time in 2018. It helped me improve in so many ways.
I also got involved in volunteering with a lot of sports on campuses. I grew as a writer and I also took up photography again, which has improved incredibly.
I finished my final year with a big bang and managed to secure my cum laude by finishing all 3 years with averages above 80%.
People ask me if I ever regret transferring courses.
“A lot of hard work and commitment goes into making your dreams a reality” – – Anouschka Swart
Yes, sometimes I do miss the medicine aspects of sport, but if I hadn’t transferred I would have never learned about the various fields that are available out there, and what a huge difference I can still make whether I play sports or not.
Now doing my Advanced Diploma in Sport Management takes a lot of commitment. Not only that but I also currently work at BSS Events where we manage events and conferences. I am also a team manager at the TUT Rugby.
One of the big highlights so far was organising and managing a successful Miss TUT Varsity Shield 2019. The biggest improvement this year was also my sports photography that has changed a lot, and became one of my star traits.
A lot of hard work and commitment goes into making your dreams a reality, but it is worth the effort. Who knows what else this year might hold?
Photo 1 caption: TUT MLS Cum Laude graduate and gsport Internship alumni Anouschka Swart blogs about her path to academic success. Photo: Supplied
Photo 1 caption: Swart pictured with fellow intern Toloana Peu and gsport Founder Kass Naidoo at the Duke University-sponsored MMC18, at the Dimension Date Campus in Johannesburg, on 4 August, 2018. Photo: gsport
Photo 1 caption: With an average exceeding 80% in her three years of study, Swart was elated to graduate Cum Laude. Photo: Supplied
With editing by gsport