Which of the following would you redo?  Wholeheartedly! – Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics… Let us add Biology to the mix and complete the sciences.  The AquaLink team from the School of Computing and Engineering mentioned  the first three. All I could think of are FORMULAS! The four figure table, periodic table, and mumbled – truly the STEM gene floods their veins.  But wait, there is more to their answer than meets the eye. 

Curiosity and Firm Foundation

It’s said that at the age of five, while recovering from illness, Einstein was accorded a compass by his father. He was fascinated by why the arrow always pointed in the same direction. This appears to propose that a nudge to want to know more or discover in any field is to always ask… “why?” That is a kick start to discovering for anyone as they traverse their area of interest.  With that said, having an engaging instructor and cheering squad from an early age helps build the muscles that fuels one; from the introduction of new concepts to the relearning of old ideas. As one develops basic knowledge, it is clear that the more engaging the content when first taught, the easier it is to remember and relate with later on. 

Why walk alone…

Yet collaborations could lessen the burden? It is clear that practice alone, even when it is  consistent is not enough. It takes working with others to gauge the depth of your understanding. In addition, it is a platform for asking for help, especially when you are aware of the gaps in your understanding.  It is through such engagements that one gets clues of how else to go about the question at hand. As we expose ourselves to the feedback of others, we may learn a new acronym for that stubborn formula or concept. Take for resistance –naming the 9 planets or the colours of the rainbow, I bet you still remember them…right?

As with any journey of life, embrace the  chosen path. Pursuing academia comes with a focal point that helps one attain their goal. As such, it’s key that one maps out the way and details expectations, from the good, bad and even the ugly. Failing is part of the process but it can be an indicator that helps you identify your strengths so as to align areas that propel you. Choose to “fail forward”. Think of a test as a platform that weighs your knowledge of something and that failing is meant to shows us what to do differently next time. 

In closing, engage those in the industry to get an idea of what it is like away from the classroom. For example, allow peers to share directives that build your confidence; reach out to professional mentors who can offer guidance on where to focus, share insights of the unwritten rules, and advise on navigating organizational culture. 

 Follow the link below and learn more about the AquaLink team – https://strathmore.edu/news-articles/the-10-minute-presentation-and-a-trip-to-washington-dc/

Article written by Annette Karanja