Embarking on her first-year studies in Bachelor of Commerce Extended Curriculum in Accounting at UKZN, Ms Nombulelo Vilakazi has thrived academically and embraced university life with enthusiasm and determination.
Reflecting on her first semester, the 19-year-old from the province of Mpumalanga recalls an unexpected victory. ‘Interestingly enough, the module I thrived in was entirely new to me—Economics!’ she said. ‘I proudly achieved over 80 percent in every assessment,’
A significant factor in her success has been her unique study method. Writing her own notes has been a central part of her learning process. ‘After diving into the textbook and lecture slides, I translated my understanding into my unique notes,’ she said. This method helped her solidify her grasp on the subject and pinpoint areas needing extra focus. When exam season arrived, revising felt like a natural progression. ‘Studying from my own notes made the process so much more manageable,’ Vilakazi shared.
Her passion for accounting began in high school, inspired by her love for challenges. She said this drive is what led her down the path to becoming a chartered accountant. Choosing UKZN was a deliberate decision; her research showed the University’s impressive track record of producing successful chartered accountants. ‘I found myself drawn to UKZN with countless graduates excelling in diverse fields.’
Her first-year has also offered her a chance to broaden her perspective. ‘I’ve immersed myself in the local culture and compared it to life back home in Mpumalanga,’ she says. Each day brings something new, adding to the richness of her experience and making her time at UKZN even more memorable.’
As she looks to the future, Vilakazi’s goal is to graduate cum laude for her honours. ‘Based on my current results, I can confidently say: so far, so good!’
Words: Samukelisiwe Cele
Photograph: Supplied