Ravuvu strikes gold
LAST year Asesela Ravuvu achieved what only a handful of brilliant individuals can do.
At the age of 41, he was awarded a gold medal for being the most outstanding student of literature and language at the University of the South Pacific's School of Pacific, Arts, Communication and Education (SPACE).
Known among close friends and family members as Sela, the grandson and namesake of the late Professor Asesela Ravuvu took top honors at the USP graduation ceremony in Suva.
"I feel very humbled by this whole experience," he said about his achivement.
"I have always been the one to run away from academics.
"But to finally go through with it has opened my eyes because you learn a lot of things such as time management, discipline and perseverance."
Ravuvu shared that the COVID-19 pandemidc was one of the most challenging periods he faced during his education journey.
"Some of the classes were cut off prematurely but I guess the online services weren't such a rough transition to online learning."
He added that being psychologically challenged was also an issue that he had to endure
"I guess it was just the daily psychological challenge of trying to convince myself to complete the program."
However, the man from Nakorosule village in Naitasiri managed to overcome his personal 'mountains' and struck gold.
"Digging dip and finding genuine reasons to continue was a way to overcome these challenges.
"In order to do that we have to find reasons beyond ourselves."
He added that he didn't do this for his own self but for family and friends.
"I didn't expect to win a gold medal, I was just expecting a good GPA but continuing and winning this gold medal is definitely a highlight of my achievements."
His advice to youths is to "find something that will contribute to the greater good and do it well, even the small things - try to do it to the best of your ability."
In his spare time, Ravuvu likes to play his guitar and get his hands dirty in the garden.