A Student's Journey: Overcoming Challenges At University

• A TikTok user opened up about her struggles as a university student at Witwatersrand University (Wits University), sharing her personal battle and the lessons she learned along the way.
• This young woman revealed that completing her first year at Wits University was anything but easy, and it took her five years to pass. Her story resonated with many others facing similar challenges.
• To provide insight into overcoming these hurdles, Briefly News consulted Wits University's Career Development Services Team Leader and an educational psychologist from the University of Pretoria (UP), offering advice on navigating university life.

A young woman from Mpumalanga took to social media to share her raw and honest experience of studying at university. After spending five years repeating her first year at Wits University, she eventually found success by transferring to the University of Mpumalanga. Lindelwe Cili, Wits University’s Career Development Educator and Career Development Services Team Leader, spoke with Briefly News to shed light on the resources available for students like her who face significant challenges during their first year.

The TikTok video where this young woman shared her academic struggles quickly gained traction, sparking hundreds of comments from viewers who could relate. To better understand how students can thrive despite setbacks, Briefly News reached out to Professor Kobus Maree, a seasoned educational psychologist from the University of Pretoria with over 40 years of experience.

Five Years to Complete First Year at Wits University

In a heartfelt TikTok video, @nelisa_ndj, known as Nelisa, recounted her journey at Wits University. It took her five years to finish her first year while pursuing a BSc in biology. She explained that while she passed two modules—Maths and Physics—she struggled with Chemistry and Biology. Despite passing Maths and Physics, her low scores in Chemistry and Biology meant she had to repeat her first year multiple times. Her perseverance was tested further when she failed Chemistry twice more.

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Professor Kobus Maree, an educational psychologist with four decades of experience, emphasized the importance of fostering a positive and constructive environment for students. He told Briefly News that students should shift their mindset from one focused on failure to one centered on long-term success and resilience. Here’s what Prof Maree had to say:

“Let students view their courses as opportunities for growth rather than experiences that end in personal failure. The word 'failure' has no place in my vocabulary. I encourage everyone to eliminate it from academic discussions. This is non-negotiable.”

Lindelwe Cili, Wits University's career development educator, also highlighted the significance of adopting a growth mindset post-high school. In an interview with Briefly News, she shared:

“Develop resilience. University isn’t high school anymore. Let’s create a plan for tackling academics, refining study strategies, and implementing interventions. This is a new chapter. Your first test results might surprise you, especially if you were a top performer in high school. Use this moment to reflect and ask yourself: What can I do differently to move forward?”

Nelisa demonstrated incredible tenacity by attempting her first year for the third time in 2022, then taking a break in 2023 before transferring to the University of Mpumalanga, where she finally passed. Prof Maree reassured students that encountering difficulties in a course doesn’t define their future. He stressed the importance of seeking early support from university resources while practicing self-compassion. Drawing from his own academic journey, Prof Maree reflected:

“One tough semester or year won’t—and can’t—define your future. Many of us, myself included, have earned advanced degrees cum laude after feeling like we wouldn’t make it through certain challenges.”

Watch the videos below to hear more about Nelisa’s inspiring story of perseverance despite the obstacles she faced.

Support Systems for First-Year Students at Wits University

Many people praised Nelisa for her determination not to give up. Others shared their own stories of overcoming first-year challenges. Prof Maree referenced his past experience helping hundreds of disadvantaged students from Limpopo attend the University of Pretoria in 2001, thanks to the support of then-Dean of Education, Prof Jonathan Jansen. He learned the value of mentoring, peer support, and accessible mental health services, which he believes should be mandatory.

Prof Maree also suggested that universities adopt adaptive learning paths, enabling students to spread their workload over longer periods, attend supplementary sessions, and utilize alternative assessment methods. He emphasized to Briefly News that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for students. Instead, each student deserves personalized career and life design counseling based on their unique circumstances. He lamented:

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“Sadly, many students facing challenges don’t know where to seek help. Every student needs guidance tailored to their individual journey.”

Ms Cili confirmed to Briefly News that Wits University provides first-year students with a two-week "Gateway to Success" orientation program covering computer literacy and faculty-specific academic advice. Additionally, Wits promotes the Counseling and Careers Development Unit (CCDU) to reduce stigma around seeking academic and mental health support. Ms Cili encouraged students to utilize personal and group counseling services, saying:

“For example, we offer workshops throughout the year tailored to specific needs. As exams approach, our interventions focus on study strategies and time management. These workshops are designed to help students prepare effectively for their exams.”

Below are some reactions from university students who watched Nelisa’s story and shared their thoughts.

Nolwazi commented:

“This is my third time doing my first year.”

Llissa✨️, the creator, replied:

“Keep pushing, sis 💪 No matter how demotivating it gets, don’t give up on yourself or the life you want for yourself and your family. Celebrate the little victories too ❤️.”

Blackwidow praised her efforts:

“You passed Physics and Maths—I’m impressed!”

Llissa✨️, the TikTokker, responded:

“I was impressed myself. I thought these would be the two modules I’d fail, but it turned out the opposite 😅.”

Christopher Audacious Ndawonde related to her experience:

“I feel seen 🤣.”

Tshepi🌸 celebrated her perseverance:

“Now this is what we call perseverance 🥺❤️.”

Nosipho Mbuyisa cheered her on:

“So proud of you, stranger ❤️🥺.”

TherryM@03 shared his own story:

“I dropped out of forensic science last year while doing my second year. I’m 21, and I feel like I need to find myself before starting another course.”

Ladyaqui added words of encouragement:

“Keep pushing, my baby gal ❤️🥰.”

Umandisa Seme expressed pride:

“Proud of you, sis💋❤️!”

Kimmtetwa admitted:

“I managed to take Chemistry II while repeating ILS (Biology) at Wits.”

Four Inspiring Stories of Students Who Repeated Grades

• A student decided to repeat matric after struggling initially, and Briefly News covered her inspiring journey to success.
• A Unisa student battled for a decade to complete a single module, sharing the challenges he faced in detail.
• South Africans were deeply moved by the story of a woman who repeated matric multiple times before finally achieving her goals.
• Online users were touched by the resilience of a boy from Limpopo who tried four times to pass Grade 8, never giving up on his dreams.