Region Five’s Abeola Shepherd, an Environmental Health Officer attached to the Environmental Health Department, recently celebrated a monumental achievement: graduating with Distinction in Environmental Health from the University of Guyana (UG). In addition to graduating, she was named the Best Graduating Student, in the Bachelor’s of Science (BSc) field. Environmental Health, marking the culmination of a transformative four-year journey of growth, resilience, and faith, which solidifies her commitment to personal and professional growth.
Seeking balance and fulfillment in every aspect of life
Throughout Abeola’s career in public health, she has worked tirelessly to promote public health and environmental safety, utilizing her knowledge and passion to make a positive impact.
Outside of my professional life, I enjoy a variety of personal interests, including attending church, cooking, and reading. I also love spending quality time with loved ones and exploring the beauty of nature through touring.
With a deep appreciation for both community and nature, I continue to strive for balance and fulfillment in every aspect of my life.
“My passion for studying at the University of Guyana was driven by a strong desire to grow academically, professionally, and personally. The university’s prestigious reputation and diverse academic programmes offered the ideal platform for me to pursue my interests and aspirations,” Abeola said.
She highlighted that the opportunity to engage with brilliant minds from across the world, coupled with the rich history and vibrant campus life, ignited her drive to attend UG and not only succeed but to contribute meaningfully to her field of study, is another reason she decided to enroll at UG.
Abeola describes her university journey as transformative. For her, it was a time of self-discovery, learning, and building lasting relationships.
The COVID-19 pandemic started as Shepherd began her studies, forcing a shift to online learning. This shift did not impact Abeola as she wasn’t exposed to on-campus life. However over the past few years, she’s navigated various academic challenges and collaborated with fellow students through online platforms.
Despite the obstacles, she found a sense of community through virtual discussions and events that expanded bee perspectives. As the university returned to a hybrid setting in 2022, Shepherd embraced the opportunity to interact more directly with lecturers and peers, building lasting relationships and gaining deeper insights into her field of study.
“Additionally, my journey has been one based on trusting God. There were days when my cortisol level was sky high, depression kicked in, and moments of tears and frustration, and there were even days I felt like quitting. But through God, my immediate family, my church family, and my friends I was able to push through, to persevere and become resilient.
All in all, I thank God I didn’t throw in the towel and give up because today I graduated with a distinction in BSc Environmental Health and am also the best graduating student! Hard work, sacrifice, dedication, and self-discipline with God at the center do pay off,” Shepherd added.
Like any academic journey, Shepherd’s years at UG were not without its challenges. She faced numerous challenges while studying, many of which she cannot mention openly.
One of the most significant challenges she faced was managing the heavy academic workload. Balancing assignments, exams, personal life, and extracurricular commitments was sometimes overwhelming for Shepherd. She procrastinated a lot, however, she learned the importance of time management and developed strategies such as breaking down tasks into smaller, manageable steps, and setting realistic goals. This allowed her to stay organized and reduce stress.
Another challenge was the constant power outages and internet connectivity issues. These were beyond her control, nevertheless, she would liaise with her colleagues for pertinent information, once she missed a session.
Overcoming moments of self-doubt
Further she added, “There were also moments of self-doubt, especially when faced with difficult concepts or setbacks. In those times, I reminded myself of my long-term goals and the reasons I chose to study at UG. I reached out to mentors and peers for support, which gave me the encouragement I needed to push forward.”
A Christian by religion, Abeola relied entirely on God through prayers and studying the Scriptures. In doing this, Shepherd was able to overcome numerous challenges she faced. Her two favorite verses from the Bible that she used to affirm are: Philippians 4:13- “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” and Deuteronomy 31:8- “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Trust God, believe in yourself, stay resilient, and view challenges as opportunities to grow
For prospective and current students at the University of Guyana, Abeola’s simple yet profound advice is:
“Embrace the journey and be open to learning in all its forms. UG offers many opportunities for growth, so take full advantage of them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, engage in extracurricular activities, and step out of your comfort zone. Time management is essential to succeed at UG. Prioritize your tasks, stay organized, and give yourself time for rest. Try your best to beat procrastination! University life can be demanding, but remember that it’s okay to ask for help when you need it.
“Lecturers, counselors, and peers are there to support you. Stay focused on your goals and remember that challenges are a part of the process. They will help you grow and prepare you for success. Trust God, believe in yourself, stay resilient, and view challenges as opportunities to grow. I would also like to leave one of my favorite quotes with you.
“‘Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars,’ by Norman Vincent Peale. This quote resonates deeply with me because it is an encouragement to set ambitious goals, even if they seem unattainable. The idea is that by aiming high and pushing yourself to achieve something extraordinary, you can still achieve great things, even if you don’t reach the exact target you set out for!”
