Many student leaders at Stellenbosch University (SU) believe that leadership calls for sacrifice and that the “art of balance” is a myth for those who are juggling academics and campus leadership.
“Leadership positions are challenging. It is sometimes toxic and there is no such thing as balance,” said Austin Pepar, primarius of Goldfield, who currently holds five leadership positions at SU.
The majority of students in leadership positions wait until they are in crises before seeking help, according to Dr Munita Dunn-Coetzee, director of the Centre of Student Counselling and Development (CSCD).
Student leadership is an adjustment, which may have an effect on academic success, she said. Students chosen for leadership positions often feel as though there is an expectation to outshine previous leaders, Dunn-Coetzee explained.
“It is a little bit difficult,” said Whitney Muller, representative of the Theological Student Committee (TSC). “You find yourself doing a lot of things that are not necessarily academic, so you have to learn the art of balancing, which is impossible.” According to Muller, lecturers are helpful and accommodating regarding leadership roles and academic support.
There comes a point where one has to say no to leadership roles in order to maintain academics, said Amy Apollis, House Committee member of Aurora PSO.
“It’s a tough journey having to adapt from just being a student to also kind of working,” said Apollis about holding a leadership position.
Pepar was supposed to have completed his degree in 2019 but didn’t. “I won’t just blame it on leadership or academics, but personal challenges have played a role too.”
INFOGRAPHIC BY: Jenna Lemmer & Octavia Spandiel