Reflection and Readiness
Can you believe it’s December already? These final months always feel so reflective, don’t they? It’s a special time of the year for me—November marks my birthday which brings personal reflection, and December brings the year to a close. There’s something about the New Year that seems to get everyone excited, inviting us all to dream a little bigger and embrace fresh challenges. It’s a season for looking back with gratitude as well as stepping forward with excitement for what’s to come. One year ago, I was beginning to feel that I was in a bit of a repetitive cycle. While I constantly challenged myself to new opportunities, it just felt as if something was a little mundane in my life. What was it? Was it the environment I was in, or was it the routine I had? Sometimes it felt like I couldn't step out of the woods to see the bigger picture, but I believed it was now time to make a big change.
I had a dream since I was young that I wanted to achieve something meaningful in my life but throughout school I kept struggling as a student. Because I have ADHD, the classroom setting was just not a place I felt comfortable in. I struggled to concentrate and keep my motivation for my assignments. It felt like a constant uphill battle. I was always told to focus, and this was very hard since I didn’t have the tools needed to keep that focus. When I moved to Cape Town, I was lucky enough to start my university studies with a lecturer who knew how to push me in the right way, and who knew how to motivate his students to get the best results. It was the first time I felt like school was not an overwhelming place. It gave me a newfound motivation to push myself, to challenge what I knew, and to use it to drive me forward. For the first time, I felt like I had resources.
Fast forward to the time of realizing I needed a change: I received an email with an advertisement for Lund University. I thought, Wow, this school looks amazing, it is so rich in its culture and has a real student life with 46000 students from all over the world. I was intrigued, but filled with doubt I could be accepted into such a great school. We all feel that self doubt at times, don’t we? I thought back to the wonderful lecturer in Cape Town who helped me reach my full potential. I put aside my self-doubt and decided to try out the application process, researching the admissions requirements and the long list of programs Lund was offering to its prospective students.
I started to get all of my documentation in place and was told I needed to provide an English proficiency test. This was strange, considering my native English background. The test was very expensive but I thought, “I committed this far, let me keep on going.” The night before the exam, I received a message that my exam was cancelled and I would receive my money back. I was shocked and spent three hours trying to call the right person to be rebooked in time for the application deadline. No one was willing to support me in this process. I felt defeated, especially after all the months of preparing. The English test was not going to be the thing that stopped me, hell no! I reached out to the admissions board and asked them to reconsider the English proficiency test since I was a native speaker. SUCCESS! They decided they would waive it and I could submit my application. This was music to my ears.
Now came the waiting.
It was the day of the results from Lund University, I was hoping for the best but preparing for the disappointment. I opened the email and there it was …….. ADMITTED! I remember standing in my office at work filled with an overwhelming amount of excitement. Did I just get admitted for my priority study? I made it happen on my own! Wow, I was proud! I almost instantly accepted the offer without a second thought.
The next thing that crossed my mind was everything was about to change. The dream I set out to achieve was about to make my life different for the first time in 10 years. New country, new friends, new studies, new language, new home. The cool thing about Lund is they provide resources to make sure students can easily be settled. With very little effort, I managed to find my new home in Lund. It has been nothing short of amazing. It is almost one year since I started this journey, and I am now reflecting on this amazing challenge I set for myself.
I took the time to reflect on my limiting beliefs because (1) ADHD should not be seen as a disability but rather an incredible superpower which when used with the right motivation can send you to incredible heights, (2) you are good enough for the things you want, usually it is a limiting doubt within yourself, like can I do this? The truth is yes – you can if you put your heart into it.
Some dreams feel impossible, but the truth is that sometimes they require you to step out of your comfort zone and challenge the unknown. It requires you to challenge your doubts and fears and just go for it. This year taught me that setting goals is important and with the right mindset and perseverance, you can make it happen. Obstacles will always be there to challenge you (like my canceled English exam), but finding the right approach can get you through. When you come out on the other side, you will be smiling because YOU DID IT, you made it happen! That is something that can never be taken away from you. If you are feeling stuck, remember: life is short, don't be afraid to do the things that scare you, because you might unlock a whole world of potential in your next adventure.
Article By
Mischa Dannerup Marais
Master's Student at Lund University, CCDK Board Advisory Board Member
