Humans of Portsmouth - Simba's Story

Simba grew up in Zimbabwe, moving between cities like Harare and Mutare, with a brief chapter in Rwanda along the way. When it came to choosing a university, his decision was refreshingly simple: it was all about the course. At the time, he was set on renewable energy engineering, and the University of Portsmouth stood out as one of the few places offering it. Even though his path later shifted to Earth Sciences (with a focus on engineering geology), Portsmouth still offered something distinctive. But beyond academics, Simba came to university with a bigger intention in mind: to figure out who he really is.

When asked, ‘What were you like at school?’, Simba’s answer was immediate: ‘in a good way, I was a try-hard kind of person.’ He describes a version of himself that was driven, competitive and constantly pushing for more: ‘my friends and I were so competitive, we had a friendly rivalry going on, which pushed me to grow.’ Through debates, public speaking and academic achievements, he naturally stepped into leadership roles: ‘I eventually developed into a leader… people looked up to me and found me inspirational.’

But that version of success came with its own challenges. While Simba valued being trusted and respected, it often created distance between him and others. ‘People would think, “Simba is too busy doing his own stuff”’, he recalls. At the same time, teachers assumed he didn’t need support: ‘there was this mentality that I didn’t need guidance.’ Caught between expectations and perception, he began to feel the pressure of maintaining that image. ‘It was a bit lonely… you feel like you need help, but people don’t give it to you, and you can’t really ask for it either.’

Arriving at university, Simba made a conscious decision to change. He wanted to be more social, more relaxed and experience different sides of life that he felt he had missed before. But in trying to adapt, something didn’t quite sit right. ‘I came to uni to not conform, but then I started conforming in a bid to not conform. It’s very paradoxical.’

His first year became a mix of excitement and internal conflict. Trying to fit into new environments and friendships, he found himself moving further away from the person he had worked so hard to become. Looking back, he recognises it as a turning point rather than a failure. It was the moment he began to reflect more deeply on his choices and what he actually wanted from the experience.

Over time, Simba started to reframe how he saw growth. ‘It’s not linear,’ he explains. ‘Sometimes there’ll be downs, then downs, then another down before you go slightly up again.’ That understanding brought a sense of patience and a shift in how he defines success. Where he once tied his identity closely to being the best, he now approaches things differently: ‘I still want to be the best at what I do… but it’s not about proving my worth anymore. It’s about being the best version of myself.’

That mindset has shaped how he approaches both his studies and opportunities beyond the classroom. Getting involved with the Students’ Union, Simba started as a course representative before stepping into further roles. Encouraged by friends, he ran for an Elected Officer position, twice. The first time didn’t go his way, but the second time, he was successful. Reflecting on the experience, he sees it less as a defining achievement and more as a learning curve: ‘you might have a lot of potential… but not every environment is where that potential is best expressed.’

Even so, he doesn’t regret taking on the role. If anything, it added another layer to his self-awareness. ‘It gave me a different angle to look at myself from,’ he says, reinforcing the idea that personal development isn’t always about getting things right, but about understanding yourself better each time.

When asked about his greatest achievement, Simba doesn’t point to a single moment, but rather a period of his life. His high school years stand out as a time of momentum and transformation. From being an average student to becoming one of the top performers in the country, earning national recognition and excelling across multiple areas, it was a chapter defined by growth. But what matters most to him now is not just the outcome, but the journey behind it. ‘You think there’s one thing that will make you great… but it’s actually the whole journey that does that.’

Now, Simba is beginning to explore new sides of himself. Alongside his academic ambitions, he’s stepping into new experiences, from fitness and running to considering joining new societies. It’s a shift from a life once centred almost entirely around academics to one that feels more balanced and self-directed.

Looking ahead, what excites him most is the clarity he’s starting to build. ‘I now know what I want… and I know these are things I want for myself.’ After years of following a structured path, that sense of ownership feels significant.

Simba’s journey is still unfolding, but one thing is clear: it’s no longer about fitting into a mould or meeting expectations. It’s about choosing who he wants to be, and having the confidence to grow into that, step by step.