The journey continues...

 I have been meaning to revive and even publicise these entries. So I am taking the first step. I commit to write about my postgraduate studies journey. You know I sometimes have questions that I google and somehow I cannot find exact answers to what I want to ask. So here goes a blog to help black South African women navigate their journey. I am reminded again that this is my journey, it is taking long, it is taking its toll on me and those around me, but it will end in congratulations! Some of the points I would like to ponder herein are: 

- How to make neighbours and those near understand that you are not always available, not just time wise, but emotionally and psychologically I cannot deal with you now. I cannot take your call, I am in my head so much, I just need some quiet time. I cannot...

- How to get funding for each year that you need to register for a qualification that seems to be dragging. How to explain to bursars that you deserve to be supported financially. 

- How to keep sane and work tirelessly, without feeling guilty, find a way to balance that working at work is ok, and it shouldn't take over from study time.

- How to work with a supervisor intelligently without stepping on toes. It's my study but the supervisor is supposed to know enough to take me by the hand and lead me to the finish line. Yes, this is true, but it is still my project, I should have the upperhand, I shouldn't;t trust and follow blindly. 

- How to navigate my Christianity, God first, my husband next, my kids follow, my family and siblings (I am a daughter, a sister, an aunt) and the church... when the church wants to bulldoze and overtake all these other functions and make me feel less than for  not spending every waking moment within its walls...

So, here goes the start of my blog, hope you will journey with me. I hope I can help another first generation student with me and remind them that you are not alone. You can do this! it's a lonely journey there are no clear deadlines and assignments, its you and the massive project that will one day lead to you walking across the stage being capped with another qualification.