The Story of Your Year: Personal Reflections on Growth, Resilience, and Transformation

Balance and Mystery

The final period of this semester was truly the most challenging, filled with events that tested me in every possible way. Yet, I managed to overcome every obstacle. My father’s death was the hardest test of my life, not just this year, but my entire life. I learned that we are so ephemeral that you can’t have hope for tomorrow. In one moment, a person can be gone, and all the savings and plans of a lifetime can lose their meaning.

In my next chapter, I hope for happiness, fulfilment, and peace. I want to surround myself only with people who bring positivity, share my aspirations, and want to grow professionally.

Opportunities and Growth

This year was different. I completed many activities during my 150 hours of experience, and they were truly enjoyable. A turning point was discovering what it is like to manage my own business—to be independent. It was an amazing and inspiring experience, and I learned so much. The most difficult part was balancing the 150 hours of work with my assignments, but I tried my best and worked very hard.

Looking ahead, I hope to pass all my assignments, earn my qualification, and start a business if everything goes well.

Resilience and Transformation

Globally and personally, 2025 has been a year of rapid change—in technology, education, and society. It has also been a year of growth and self-discovery. Challenges became catalysts for learning and innovation.

This year’s turning point for me was when I realised that challenges aren’t setbacks—they’re stepping stones. It happened during a period when I felt overwhelmed by deadlines and expectations. Instead of giving in to stress, I chose to reorganise my priorities and ask for support. That decision changed everything: I gained confidence, improved my time management, and discovered resilience I didn’t know I had.

Through this experience, I learned that resilience isn’t about avoiding challenges but about finding strength in the midst of them. I discovered that I’m more adaptable than I thought—I can prioritise, stay focused, and ask for help when needed.

Patience, Resilience and Support

There were weeks that truly tested me. Balancing university assignments while being a full-time parent was overwhelming, especially when several deadlines fell only weeks apart. I felt the pressure build and often questioned whether I could get everything done.

Those challenges forced me to pause and reconnect with the reasons I started this journey. Each obstacle stretched me and taught me patience, resilience, and the importance of asking for help. Some wins were big—like finishing a research project I thought might never make sense, or feeling confident presenting in front of a class. Others were quieter but meaningful: joining societies, making one new friend who truly gets me, finding routines that support my wellbeing.

Friends at university made this journey less lonely. Studying together, sharing notes, listening when things got tough—they helped me stay motivated. Their encouragement and humour made stressful weeks manageable.

Growth and Development

This year has been about growth—developing new skills, taking on responsibilities, and discovering my potential. The turning point was being chosen as a class representative. I did not expect it, and it gave me confidence. The most important people were my teachers—dear Sharif Hussein, Juliana, Sajjaad, Savera, and Muskaan—who supported and encouraged me.

The hardest chapter involved Academic Skills, building confidence, and learning how to find resources. Next, I hope to continue growing, learning, and participating actively.

Personal Growth and Gratitude

This year’s theme was personal growth. The turning point was the exam period. My colleagues and teachers were the most important people—they pushed me to become the best version of myself. The hardest moment was during the final session, when I realised it would be our last time together as a small family. It has been a 4-year journey, full of emotions, successes, joys, and new relationships.

The university taught me to be humble, respectful, close to professors and colleagues, and to form a small family. For me, the university was a new beginning and a turning point in my career and my life. I want to thank everyone who, during these 4 years, has been a support, a friend, a colleague, or a parent.

Freedom and Inspiration

This year brought freedom: away from bullying bosses, toxic cultures, and bureaucracy. Starting my role at LDT has been a breath of fresh air. It gave me space to reflect on my past successes and understand how to progress and deliver value.

Linda Johnson inspires me deeply. I am full of awe, admiration, and respect. She built a successful company as a single parent, at a time when women had little professional respect. Her compassion, trust, and energy are remarkable.

For my next chapter, I hope to continue developing as a leader, professional, and kind colleague. Outside work, I hope to commit time to my own personal development.

Purpose and Collaboration

This year has been a year of discovery—about the business, my colleagues, and what the future might hold. The turning point was watching the graduation ceremonies. Everything came together: smiles, tears, cheers, celebrations. It reminded me why we are here.

Colleagues, family, and students—each one unique, bringing experiences, challenges, and support. There were hard times with current sector challenges, especially in Higher Education, but I realised that being brave and resilient, and being strong together, meant I wasn’t alone. We are stronger together.

Progress

This year’s theme has been progress. The turning point of this year has been the T&L Conference and Graduation Ceremony in September. These events felt significant because they were my first opportunity to connect with a lot of LDT colleagues, they demonstrated that I had joined a forward-thinking organisation whose ethos aligns with my own, and they were the first sense of big achievement and belonging that I had in the role.

The hardest chapter of the year was the first few months, where I felt like I was behind on where I wanted to be and things were not progressing much, both personally and professionally. It reinforced that I have a strong sense of perseverance, resilience, and determination which always bring me through the tough times.