20 YEARS OF UJ, 2 YEARS OF ME: GROWING WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG.

 

Introduction

As the university of Johannesburg celebrates its 20th anniversary, I have been thinking about what it means to me to be a student here, both as an institution and a place that has helped me grow in many ways both intellectually and personally. My name is Yumna Ndima, a second year Public Relations student at the University of Johannesburg. While UJ celebrates two decades of academic excellence, I am also celebrating two years of my own path of self-discovery, personal development and future aspirations.   

My UJ Experiences- more than a campus.

When I first arrived at UJ I was greeted by both excitement and anxiety. Like many first-year students, I was terrified to leave the familiar surroundings of home and high school to enter a new setting having to make new friends and get used to a new environment. As they always say, I expected big lecture room, assignments and late-night study sessions, but I didn’t expect creating genuine friendships or realizing how much I would change as a person. In my opinion UJ is More than just an academic institution; its vibrant and welcoming which made my time as a student here enjoyable. Being surrounded by individuals from different backgrounds and experiences showed me that university life is about growing, discovering who you are and gaining experience- it’s not just about the textbooks, and assignments.

My journey at UJ wasn’t perfect at all, there were moments where I felt like I wasn’t doing enough and couldn’t juggle my social life and academic pressures, but I overcame these difficulties by becoming resilient. I learnt to communicate and take responsibility for my own academic and personal growth at UJ

My academic and personal growth-ups and downs.

My experience studying Public Relations at UJ has been eye opening. Along with my technical skills, I’ve also improved my creative thinking skills, time management and public speaking abilities. The UJ PR department challenges us to think beyond what we learn in class. I’ve been forced to step out of my comfort zone many times by the assignments, presentations and group projects. One of my proudest moments was presenting my own work in front of my peers and lecturers, that day I realized how much more confident I had become since I first started. It wasn’t about the marks I got, I was happy because to me that moment signified growth, the shy girl I was coming from high school, grew into a young lady that could confidently stand up in a class of 100+ people and present alone.

UJ’s role in society and my hopes for the future.

UJ@20 is not just about the buildings and classes, it’s about transformation. The University plays an active part ole in community development through outreach programs in community engagement, helps students in need with PsycAd, health and wellness clinics and other student need including academically help (providing tutors) and scholarships and internship opportunities. UJ also provides faculty seminars, inviting industry professionals to talk to students to not only help students while they are in the institution but also offer opportunities for students to sell themselves, for a better future after they graduate. That is something that I admire and inspired me to get involved in similar outreach initiatives by taking part in community engagement as well. Being a student in a university that promotes leadership, empowerment and change gives me optimism about the future. In future, I hope UJ remains a place that inspires students from all backgrounds to dream big, you can do it! You will do it! I hope it continues to tear down educational Barriers, and keeps making room for students to explore, allowing them to keep being creative and creating more research opportunities. Additionally, I hope UJ will be able to give its graduates more job opportunities.  

Conclusion:

I am honored to be part of UJ’s history as it commemorates its 20years. I was a shy first year student before the last two years afraid of taking chances, but now I am a confident communicator with big dreams. Although my journey is still unfolding i'm confident in that I’m on solid ground because UJ has provided me with the means to succeed both personally mad academically.  #ORANGEARMY