Gesturing to the chemistry study notes collaged from wall to wall of his busy De Beers room, Roy Bealey sits at his desk explaining the “hardships a first year Bsc student has to tread through”. With a nervous hop in his low, calm voice Roy explains how he actually arrived at Rhodes University last year, eager to get started on his Ichthyology dream, but like so many other Rhodes students fell prey to the sudden and limitless freedom that university life presents. Looking up and raising one eyebrow, “what I didn’t realise is that with a lot of freedom comes a lot of responsibility”. Roy, with a naughty smirk, describes his first semester last year as “one big party”, which ended very abruptly when his June results were way below his expectations. Getting up to close the window, Roy says “that was my wake up call”.

Roy worked much harder in the second semester, but was not allowed to take any second year subjects this year. “Sure, I’m still in first year, but I know a lot more than the rest” he exclaims with some hint of wisdom. Despite, the fact that Roy was not allowed to do any second year subjects, he only had three half year credits to complete in 2008 to carry on to second year in 2009. Realising that this was a substantially low number of subjects, and annoyed at himself for not working harder, Roy decided to use this year productively.

“I didn’t want to waste a whole year”, he says, taking a file out of a drawer. Deciding that he could use this year productively, rather than just waiting around, Roy picked up an additional subject, management, that he says will help him in his aspirations to run his own fish farm. The true inspiration in Roy’s story, I think, is that he took the initiative to get involved in the Ichthyology department, despite only being allowed to take the subject at second year level. Roy contacted some of the lecturers in the Ichthyology department and offered to help out in any little job or task that they needed done. “Being pro-active and eager gets you places” says Roy, explaining that he was given the task of making gill nets for Ichthyology department which they use in their research. The job allowed him to get to know the people and lecturers at the Ichthyology department, putting him in good stead for when he starts next year, but he also got paid for each net which he calls “a big bonus”.

Roy grins, lifting one of his broad, arched eyebrows, admitting, “Repeating first year is embarrassing at first, but I’ve used it well”. His initiative has paid off so well, that he was asked to accompany two ichthyology students, one doing his masters and the other a PhD, on a research expedition to Addo Elephant Park last month. Roy sits up straight now saying “it’s awesome, because I’m getting to know the top guys in Ichthyology”. Not only has he just enjoyed a weekend at Addo, which is great for learning the ‘tricks of the trade’ and experience, but he’s hoping to help with another study, at the end of November, in Gariep Dam. Roy is adamant that his position is only partially luck and that anyone who shows interest and promise can “climb their way to success”. Roy’s story is unusual, but he assures that any first year who is struggling, even those who have to repeat, can become a success story that all the second years envy.