‘Many times I felt like giving up on my course’ (2024)

• Sarah Nsereko, a computer science studentgraduated with a CGPA of 4.72 as the overall beststudent at Uganda Christian University, Mukonorecently.

“I had not planned to joinUganda Christian University (UCU), but I believe it was redirection from God,” Sarah.

Nsereko, who scored a CGPA of 4.72 inBachelor of Computer Science at UCUsays. Nsereko did not get the courseshe wanted at other universities, soshe opted for UCU hoping to land herdream course.

Initially, she had wanted to be an aerospace engineer at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)in US. With time, she realised that getting a university in Uganda to studythat course would be difficult.

After her A-Level results came outthe former student of Nabisunsa Girls’School realised Information and Communication Technology (ICT) was herthing.

“I always aced ICT and I learnt thatcomputer science was a good course.One of my cousin’s who had studiedit encouraged me to pursue the same,”she recounts.

Off to university

“My first semester was the hardest,”Nsereko says.

She explains that in her first semester she was adjusting from secondary school life and trying to get accustomed to the UCU environmentand finding her footing and makingfriends in the community.

“I was struggling to settling in, I hadso many expectations of the university not that they were not met, but I wasalso scared because it was a new environment where I was making my owndecisions,” she recalls.

Nsereko learnt that it is a student whodetermines what his or her university’slife is going to be like.

“At UCU, you could get the course ofyour dreams but it was up to you as astudent to ensure that you complete itin time,” Nsereko notes.

Sleepless nights
The young woman says she had a badsleeping schedule which included being awake from 9pm to 6am before attending a class at 8am.

“I would be hoping and praying fora free period where I could take a napthen I had afternoon classes,” she recalls adding that there were momentswhere she felt like giving up because ofthe difficult academic moments.
“The nights started with me summoning all my energy to continue thecourse. I would think, meditate and askmyself if it was worth going througheverything I did,” Nsereko explains.

Also, her parents’ expectations kepther going.
“I knew my parents needed a win.So, I wanted to give them a win by allmeans,” she notes.
This pushed her to read and call herclassmates during weird night hours.
“I would seek assistance on numbersthat I had failed to understand at 2am.My classmates were willing to help me.For those who stayed in my neighbourhood, we would meet and discuss classwork,” she recounts.

Nsereko credits her parents, Isa andHilda Nsereko of Butambala District,for providing all necessities through out her education journey.
Even then, she prayed and went forcounselling sessions at the Ruth Nkoyoyo Wellness Centre.

“I was encouraged to keep doing mybest. My lecturers were very patientwith me as they answered my manyquestions whenever I did not understand despite their busy schedules,”she commends.
Asked if she expected to get a first-class degree, Nsereko says she did not
expect one.
“It was in my last semester that I realised that if I performed well, I could
graduate with a first class.”

Challenges
“Unlike my classmates, when I joinedUCU I had not done a course in computer science. My peers were able to codeand do certain other things yet it was
a very new experience for me,” she reveals.
This made her feel like she was a stepbehind her the rest. After first year, sheknew what was needed to put in extratime.
Balancing books and social lifeNsereko commends her consistentfriends who ensured that if there wasa birthday for someone, they would invite and take her along.
“I attended even if it meant carryingme and I am grateful for that part oflife.
“My friends pushed me to engage socially, something I do not take for granted,” Nsereko explains.

In class
Emma Isabirye, her lecturer, saysNsereko’s conduct in class was exceptional and helped her achieve the goodgrades.

“She was consistently engaged, actively participating in discussions, asking insightful questions and offeringthoughtful contributions,” says Isabirye.

“Also, her positive attitude and willingness to collaborate with her peerscreated a supportive and productivelearning environment,” he adds.

Nsereko, he says, consistently soughtnew knowledge and challenges goingbeyond the assigned material to explore additional resources and perspectives.

He adds that she demonstrated astrong ability to analyse complex information, identify patterns and drawmeaningful conclusions.

“Her coursework in computer scienceprovided her with a solid foundationin programming and machine learning which she effectively applied to herclass projects,” Isabirye recalls.

Meanwhile Charles Muganga, herclassmate, believes that Nsereko’s God-fearing and hardworking traits left herhard to ignore. Her persistence toohelped her achieve this milestone.

Muganga explains that computer science is not an easy course but she always tried her best, spending sleeplessnights and consulting on everything.“Sarah was flexible and always encouraged everyone,” he recalls.

Milcah Amanya with whom Nsereko attended primary and secondaryschool says, Nsereko has always beenhardworking and she does her bestwhen it comes to her friendships, academics and faith.“I was not shocked by her being a valedictorian, I knew she would excel immediately when she joined UCU."

“During holidays, I would look for Sarah but she always had a tight schedule. She prioritised her studies andwhen I look back I know it was worthit. She reaped what she sowed,” Amanya explains.

"Being the best overall student“It was a big shock but I am reallygrateful, it was a healing moment after all the effort and time I had put in,”Nsereko says.

Her parents were excited about herperformance.“My mum was elated, she kept callingpeople telling them about my accomplishments while dad kept telling everyone he met about how many got firstclass degrees,” she notes.

Role models
Nsereko’s friend Hassan Bahati Mukisa, a software developer, has taught hernot to look miserable duringdifficulttimes.“Hassan has a positive attitude andmentality.”

Her other role model is Charles Muganga because of his dedicated lifestyleas a programmer and developer.

“I find it inspirational that he develops programmes for fun, goes for presentations and moves around the country for the sake of technology,” she explains.

Future plans
Nsereko hopes to work for one or twoyears and then return to school for a Master’s degree.

Two cents
She advises students to live in the moment and to know they are wherethey need to be and where God wantsthem.