When Avhashoni Managa Patricia stepped onto the path of becoming a medical student, she didn’t expect the journey to be as much about navigating life as it would be about academics. In 2021, her first year at the University of Pretoria, classes were virtual— “The virtual environment suited me well,” she said, reflecting on how the online setting helped ease her into this new phase. But as her academic journey continued, the comforting boundaries of a virtual classroom faded, and the real challenges of university life became apparent. 

Avhashoni found herself confronting a new world, marked by intense competition and unexpected divides. University was unlike high school, where everyone followed similar rules and routines. Here, she saw the contrasts in backgrounds and resources among students, feeling the weight of an environment that required constant self-discipline and mental resilience. Avhashoni shared, "If one is not mentally aligned with their goals, it is easy to become distracted and engage in activities that may jeopardise one’s future." 

Through these challenges, Avhashoni has become a strong advocate for mental health. As she describes it, depression and mental health struggles can be isolating, particularly for students from communities where therapy is stigmatised and it is often seen as admission of being “crazy”. “Sometimes, something as seemingly minor as persistent fatigue can be a sign of underlying psychological factors,” she notes. Her experience underscores how vital it is to pay attention to both physical and emotional well-being. 

Avhashoni reminds us that, despite the intensity of academic pressures, this time in life should be about more than just survival. It is about discovering oneself and one’s place in the world. For her, the university years are a period of tremendous growth—an opportunity to “understand one’s true identity” before stepping into the future fully grounded.