Dose Of Inspiration

How Ssendagire Ashiraf Overcame Life’s Challenges: 7 Key Lessons for Success in Academics

kasiryeashiraf

May 19, 2025

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Meet Ssendagire Ashiraf, a professional Industrial Chemist from Makerere University. As we all know, growth comes with new challenges. In this article, Mr. Ssendagire Ashiraf shares how he managed to overcome educational demands and make the most of his studies and life.

Where it begun

Mr. Ssendagire Ashiraf traces back to his so much loved Parents, Nabbumba Haddijah and Ssendagire Idris; residents of the Kampala neighborhood.

Early Education: A Foundation of Resilience

Ashiraf attended Nursery and Primary ( Top to Primary Seven) at Yudesi Nursery and Primary School Kalerwe. For baby class, he shared with us that he studied at home. Being the firstborn of his mother, she took her through all the material, and he says this is a memory still fresh in his mind. He remembers shading the colors and matching. When he went to Yudesi, “the teachers emphasized that I should start from baby, but my mum challenged them to an interview for me.” It felt good seeing mummy fight for me, and when I did the interview, I made sure that I didn’t let her down; hence admission in the Top class.

Secondary and University Life

Ashiraf studied at Makerere College School for HSC ( S.1 to S.6); where he came out as the best Science Student in his year. He later joined Compass to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Chemistry.

7 life changing lessons from Ashiraf’s Journey

1. The Power of Belief (Lesson from Nursery

Ashiraf says the moment that challenged him to prove to teachers he had never met in his life that he is worthy of going to the class taught him many strategies that he carried forward in life.

Whenever I felt challenged or at the end of the road, I remembered when my mum believed in me in front of over 100 people; pupils and teachers. This moment teaches me that even when you are doubted by the crowd, you only need a few people who believe in you. Those are the ones in your corner.

2. Aim for Mastery, Not Just Participation

Ashiraf’s best subject is Mathematics. He ensured to master the subject not shallow studying. Many of us move from one thing to another in life without entirely mastering the subject at hand. This lack of focus prevents us from reaching our maximum potential.

Pick out your best fields and give yourself time to blossom into them. This energy reciprocates in the other fields as you will boost confidence to execute.

3. Be Flexible—Adapt Your Strategies

Flexibility showed up multiple times throughout our discussion. One moment is where he was sharing the study techniques that pushed him to be a better performer. He found that instead of pushing 10 subjects at once in O level, he focused on the majors like English and Mathematics. These are capable of pushing you from one division to another in the Ugandan Education System. He then focused on the subjects he could perform better at. Optionals like French, Computer and Additional Mathematics. He struggled with Biology, History and Geography. Focusing on the other ones improved his chances of getting good points in the best 8.

You can apply this strategy in your life too, by being flexible without being judgemental. Focus on your strengths

4. Reliance & Resilience: Progress is Earned

Ashiraf shared how no success came easy. It requires a resilient being to earn progres since its earned not given. In his story, he shared how the PCM combination in A level was not a walk over mainly the chemistry; since it required more theory than calculations. “I got Es until final exams where I aced the paper. I shifted my mindset from calling myself a failure in Chemistry to If I study better, I can actually pass Chemistry.” Ashiraf stated. He says this helped him feel better about the subject and he started designing ways to get better at the subject. I started with the easier topics for confidence as I shifted to the tougher ones.” He quoted.

Key learning points are when studying, start with the easier topics as they keep you motivated to keep going and also, you are what you think, so thinking of yourself as a failure is bad than failing itself.

5. Confidence Changes Everything

From Ashirafs dialogue, he emphasized the role of confidence in personal and character development. A snippet from his story in Form 4, where he had to sit for his Final Biology paper after scoring F.9z from form three First term. I remember the paper was Thursday morning and after my Chemistry Practical on Thursday evening, I knew the time had come. One final lap, I humbled down: And prayed, then read the easy topics and went for the paper. Luckily, the numbers came and I aced a C. From F, that was good enough for me and I was confident I could pull it through. Never give up until it’s done.

6. Do your best, and leave the rest

This is as plain as it sounds. Ashiraf emphasizes this technique in every step of his journey. When you do your best, let’s say by practicing for the exams in the right way. You have higher chances to excel than one who didn’t do their best. Although the practical result could be different, this doesn’t rule out growth.

7. Pray as much as you can

Conclusion

Are you a student struggling to better yourself? Ashiraf’s story has key snippets that you can find a way of applying into your life. He talks about resilience, confidence, prayer, flexibility and aiming for mastery. You can start out small by applying a few techniques without feeling overwhelmed. Which one aspect from Ashiraf’s journey do you think if you applied into your own life you would have higher chances of personal and character development in school? Share with us in the comment section below.