Study funds 65985 Campaign

Thapelo Mapengo was born at Zola in Soweto. Raised by his grandmother like most of the kids. Grandmother was a cleaner in De beers and got retrenched in 2015. Then he moved to live with his mother in Free State since his grandmother could no longer afford taking him to schools in town.

He performed well at school and was in the Free State top hundred. He went to study Mechatronics Engineering at University of Cape Town.

Here is what went wrong;

End of 2022, I passed my first year but I was not satisfied with my results. So I wish to do better in second year. I applied for a mentor position and a receptionist at my residence. I hired my parents to sell chickens for at home since they are unemployed.

When second year begun I was eager to excel and enthusiastic, so I took an extra course. In my first class tests I got distinctions but all of this greatness turn to south too quick. This was because the workload had increased and fatigue was kicking in. I began to do the bare minimum. If it’s not compulsory I wouldn’t do it.

After the second class tests I realized that I have fallen behind I need to catch-up. So I started stressing and it lead to more fatigue and procrastination. Three week before the exam I started sleeping in the study room to prepare for my exams.

I thought I was smart enough to grasp everything at once. This only works if you are doing some high subjects not university courses. I had 5 exams and a final main project.

I started with the project and submitted. I was behind on every other course. My exam timetable was compressed. I wrote three exams with 24 hours this has never happened to me before.

So after the Math exam(the first one) I was burnt out, but I had to continue to prepare so I slept 4hrs and took a cold shower and went to exam venue(8am) which is at medical campus. I had to take early breakfast so that I arrive at the exam venue in time.

I took a two Redbull cans and a pack of sweets as an energy booster.

 Immediately after the 8am exam I went to write 12:30 exam, but I had another Redbull before it. As I was writing these exams I felt confident but my concentration and speed was very low. I failed to complete both exams.

Knowing I would not have enough time to study for the first three I put the last two aside. 

So after the last exam on Tuesday I had to prepare for one on Thursday. Same thing happened I did not finish writing.

Second semester 2023

At the end of first semester I applied for a vacation job with my bursary. I got three offers I took the one with accommodation at SIMONSTOWN.

As the holidays were moving I got my results and I was devastated. I was so depressed, I am on an edge to lose my bursary and I would have to stay at following year.

I finished my vacation job strongly. I promised myself to never drink energy drink. I have free of those until today.

The second semester I took things slowly and appreciated my efforts more. I celebrated the small win and tried not repeat mistakes.

It was time to apply for positions again I was hesitant because I knew my result were bad. But I took a leap of faith eventually.

When results were awards announced was requested to be the MC. I took this as inspiration, as a peak to what happens to people who constantly work hard. I went in to the exam having more confidence and enthusiasm. And I passed my second semester.

Now I need this funding to register for the year 2024. I hope you can help me.