Bay student puts in 12 hours a day for master’s degree in record time

A master’s degree is usually completed in a time frame of between one to two years, but for Msa Mesatwya, even 12 months seemed too long. Instead she took on the mammoth task of completing her master’s degree in economics in just five months. 

Celebrating this achievement on her Facebook page, Mesatwya, credited hard work and her supervisor Professor Mcebisi Ronney Ncwadi for her success. 

“Through prayer, grace, hard work and dedication I completed my master’s. It’s been a long road finishing my master’s in five months and now the road has come to an end. It is done! All thanks to my supervisor for his amazing guidance, support and immense knowledge. Also, motivating me to reach my full potential. I am also grateful to my family and friends. I have learnt that nothing is impossible.”

While studying towards her master’s degree, Mesatwya has also worked as a lecturer for first-year economics students at Nelson Mandela University.

New record for Nelson Mandela University

By completing her master’s in a mere five months, Mesatwya has set a new record for the university. She has also received recognition as a Young Research Scholar for the United Nations University, and being named 2019 Top Student Achiever in postgraduate studies by the Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals.

After graduating with her honours in April 2019, Mesatwya submitted her master’s research proposal a month later. She opted for a research-only master’s which meant that she didn’t have to stick to a predetermined schedule of coursework. 

Master’s without delay: Putting in 12 hours a day

Being able to manage her own time meant that Mesatwya could work at her own pace. For the diligent student, this meant putting in 12 hours a day. 

She told W24 that she worked from 6am to 6pm every day. “It was not easy, but I enjoyed the process,” she said.

This rigorous study schedule meant that she could submit her thesis, and then graduate for the second time this year in December. 

“Most people don’t know that you can do a master’s degree in five months. What happens is that [at Nelson Mandela University] you have an option of doing either research only, which is intense, or both coursework and research, which will take you a year to complete.” 

Despite the intensity of the past year, Mesatwya has no plans to take a break. She’s already decided to study towards a doctorate next. Though she hasn’t yet shared her strategy for completing this, she may do so in record time again.