Names: Mahlaha Rethabile Michael
Former High School: Sacred Heart High School
Tertiary: National University of Lesotho
Programme: Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
Year of Study: 3rd Year
Requirements: C or Better in Mathematics, English, at least a Credit in a combination of two Science subject, e.g. Physical Science
Organisations: AYP, NULPSA
How did you end up studying Pharmarcy?
I do not want to lie. I never knew what I wanted to study. I never knew I had to do BSc. General. All I ever knew was I wanted to be in a health setting kind of a thing. I have to say that I never got the opportunity to attend those career guidance seminars in high school. I only knew there was Pharmacy and Nursing to choose from.
I must say I kind liked Nursing more, but I did not go for it because I learnt there were things nurses do that I cannot do. So Pharmacy it was. I filled only one application form, that is the very one that got me into The National University of Lesotho. I did not apply anywhere. My passion was in Health Sciences.
What do you think influences one’s performance?
I believe that if someone did it, I can do it. You too can do it as long as you love it. That little support I get from the family and friends. The belief that I can do better with time. Focusing on improving most of the time rather than being held back by the past results.
Believing in yourself really can contribute to your passing or failing, not just believing but also working harder, those sleepless nights here and there.
What have you learnt so far?
There is absolutely nothing, and nothing at all that can beat HARDWORK and PASSION. Yes you can be brilliant, but if you do not love what you do and do not work hard and maintain that, then you are in trouble.
Like I said, you’ve got to work hard, there is nothing that we can really say it’s easy in life and at school, you have got to work hard for everything. Sweat, sometimes even cry. Pharmacy is a very nice course but there are ups and downs associated with it, it needs hard work and determination, just like any other course.
My first year (BSc General) was not the easy year I must say. There was a moment I felt like quitting and letting go of everything but the support I got from friends and family, telling me no matter how hard, I’ll make it, contributed a lot. 2nd year was better but not easy, even now, there are still those hard times that you would feel like letting go. I know I have to be strong, and I can make it.
Opportunities that come with being a pharmacist of course mentioning but a few, owning your Pharmacy first of all, Hospital Pharmacist, most importantly, discovering new drugs.
To someone about to apply for this course.
To somebody who wants to do Pharmacy I can say, well it’s not going to be that easy really. Yes loving something does not mean it is going to be an easy thing to do. There are challenges and you must be ready to face such. Yes you might have been brilliant in high school or so but here you have to forget about the past, this is varsity by the way, new things all together.
You will get those low grades that you never thought you will ever get in life. You have got to be prepared and never say never. Work on improving, every chance you get, focusing on performing better next time. Give pharmacy your love.
To do Pharmacy you must have passed your BSc. General first year.
Academic Youth Progress helps Students and other Youths with career choices and instill entrepreneurship motive among Basotho to tackle Youth Unemployment in Lesotho.