Finding Hope in the Midst of Financial Struggles: My Journey Through University

My journey through university has been anything but easy. Every semester, I faced the same daunting reality: how was I going to pay my school fees and rent? The weight of these financial pressures hung over me like a cloud, dimming the excitement I once felt about pursuing my education. 

I come from a humble background where money is scarce, and higher education seemed like a distant dream. But I was determined to beat the odds. I scraped by, doing odd jobs here and there, earning just enough to pay for food and part of my rent. But when it came to school fees, it felt like I was always falling short. With each semester, the situation became more unbearable. I had sleepless nights, wondering if I would have to drop out. 

It wasn’t just me going through this. In my community, so many students face the same challenges. We all have big dreams, but the financial burden weighs heavily on us. I’ve seen friends forced to work long hours, sacrificing study time just to pay for rent or buy textbooks. Others have had to leave school altogether, unable to afford even the basic costs of university life. The struggle is real, and it’s heartbreaking to see so many bright minds lose hope simply because they don’t have the money to keep going.

For me, the struggle felt like a constant uphill battle. There were times I couldn’t pay my rent on time, and I’d receive warning after warning from my landlord. It felt like I was living on borrowed time, both academically and personally. Every month was a question of whether I’d have a roof over my head or be able to continue my education. I tried to stay focused on my studies, but the stress of it all made concentrating in class almost impossible.

I remember the moment when I was on the verge of giving up. I had done everything I could to make ends meet, but nothing seemed to be enough. I had even started considering dropping out of university altogether. The pressure, the fear of failure, and the constant worry about money made it hard to see any way forward. I thought my dream of getting a degree was slipping through my fingers, and I couldn’t stop it.

But just when I thought there was no hope left, something incredible happened. My uncle, who had always been a silent supporter from the sidelines, came to me with news that changed everything. He had heard about my struggles and, without me asking, decided to step in. 

“Hellen,” he said, “I’ve arranged for a bursary to cover your school fees. I don’t want you to give up on your education.” 

I was speechless. I felt a wave of relief wash over me, a weight I had carried for so long suddenly lifted. I couldn’t believe it—someone believed in me enough to help me keep going. The bursary meant that I could finally focus on my studies without the constant fear of not being able to afford my education. It wasn’t just about the money; it was about the hope it restored in me.

While this bursary has given me the chance to continue my education, I can’t forget the many students in my community who are still facing these same problems. So many of them are struggling in silence, trying to make it through university with little to no support. It’s a cycle that repeats itself every year—students with potential being forced to give up on their dreams because they can’t afford to keep going.

I haven’t yet finished my university studies, but now, I have hope again. My journey isn’t over, and I know there will be more challenges ahead. But knowing that someone believes in me enough to support my education has made all the difference. I want to use this opportunity to raise awareness about the struggles that students like me face. Education should be an opportunity for growth, not an unbearable burden. 

I know that my story is just one of many, but I hope that by sharing it, we can start to have conversations about the importance of supporting students—whether through bursaries, scholarships, or other forms of financial aid. We all deserve the chance to pursue our dreams without the constant worry of how to pay for it.

As I continue my studies, I carry with me the hope that more students will find the help they need. And I hope that one day, no student will have to choose between their education and their ability to survive.