My journey

Becoming me

There’s a moment in every journey where you pause , not because you’re tired, but because you realize how far you’ve come. That moment came for me one afternoon, sitting alone on the bench outside the Faculty building. The sky was golden, and the campus had that peaceful quietness that comes after a long day of classes.

I looked around and thought, “I’ve changed.”

Not in a big, obvious way. But in the small ways that truly matter.

When I first arrived at NUL, I was nervous , scared even. Everything felt too big, too unfamiliar. I was surrounded by new people, new systems, and expectations I wasn’t sure I could meet. I was afraid I wouldn’t fit in, afraid I’d fall behind. I smiled through it all, but deep down, I doubted myself.

But slowly, through every lecture, conversation, struggle, and moment of laughter , I started finding pieces of myself I didn’t know were there.I learned that growth doesn’t always look like success on paper. Sometimes, it looks like waking up and showing up, even when you’re tired. Sometimes, it looks like staying in and choosing rest. Other times, it’s allowing yourself to laugh again after a hard week.

The version of me that arrived here was quiet, unsure, and trying so hard to be “enough.” The version of me now? She’s still learning, still healing, but she’s stronger. She’s softer too , but in a powerful way.

One of the biggest changes in me wasn’t just academic , it was emotional.

In the beginning, I thought being strong meant hiding my feelings. I thought strength was about staying quiet, not complaining, and acting like I had everything under control. But being here taught me something different: real strength is being honest with yourself.

It was the late night conversations with friends that opened my heart. Sitting in a dorm room with Lineo, talking about life, our families, our dreams. Laughing until we cried, then crying until we laughed again. I never expected to find healing in those moments , but I did.

There were days we didn’t have the answers. Days when all we could say was “same here” and just sit together in silence. But that silence held so much comfort. It reminded me that I wasn’t alone. I wasn’t the only one trying to stay afloat.

And somewhere between those moments , between assignments and afternoon naps, shared meals and group work , I began to let go of the pressure to be perfect. I realized it’s okay to be soft. To have bad days. To admit, “Today, I’m not okay.” And most importantly, to know that it doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human.

Another important part of my growth was learning to ask for help ,something I never thought I needed to do. In the past, I believed asking for help was a sign of weakness or failure. But here at NUL, I discovered the exact opposite.

Reaching out to lecturers, tutors, and friends became my lifeline. When I didn’t understand a concept, I stopped pretending. When I felt overwhelmed, I let someone in. That vulnerability wasn’t easy at first. It felt like admitting I wasn’t perfect. But with time, I realized it was the key to moving forward.

Friendship played a huge role in that. The friendships I made weren’t just about fun and support; they were about growth. We celebrated each other’s victories and held each other up during the tough times. We shared notes, studied together, and sometimes just sat in silence because we understood that sometimes, that’s all someone needs.

Through those relationships, I learned the power of community. That no matter how far from home you are, you can build a new family. A family that challenges you, supports you, and loves you unconditionally.