Designing My Path: How Creativity and Leadership Shaped My University Journey

When I walked into Strathmore University as a first-year BCOM student, I did not know that one day I would be running a side hustle design business and managing real clients, all while navigating lectures, deadlines, and personal growth. I was simply a little girl with a passion for the arts, a sketchbook full of ideas, a quiet confidence, and a hunger to explore. Four years later, I realized that university is not just about what you study but about how you design your journey.

Creativity was my compass

While some students found their spark in drama, debates, and finance simulations, I found mine in colors, layouts, and the thrill of transforming ideas into visuals. What started as a few artwork posts on my Instagram page slowly transitioned to a few design posts that slowly became something more: a side hustle, a voice, and eventually a business. I began creating logos, business cards, posters, and marketing materials for students, small businesses, and student clubs. Each design brief pushed me to think differently and not just like a creative, but like a strategist.

My passion for arts, pushed me to learn and immerse myself in the digital space of arts and creativity. Graphic design taught me more than software shortcuts; it taught me how to tell a story. I brought my skills into class presentations, marketing pitches, and many group projects. Design became my problem-solving lens, helping me add originality and clarity to everything I touched. My design mindset became an asset in all my classes as I added a visual edge to make ideas more impactful.

From side-hustle to finding myself

Running a small business while being a full-time student is no easy feat. Juggling between late-night client calls and early morning lectures, I learned time management the hard way. There were days and times that I missed deadlines or misread briefs. But every mistake became a mirror, forcing me to grow, communicate better, plan smarter, and believe in the value of my work that I bring to the table. This experience helped me see myself not just as a student, but as a young entrepreneur. I also realized that personal development is not always about big milestones; sometimes it is in the small, quiet moments when you deliver on a promise, stay up late to fix something that is not working, or say yes to a challenge you feel unprepared for.

Leadership in every layer

As a firstborn daughter, I have always had a sense of responsibility, to be the example, to show up and be present even if it is hard, and to do things wholeheartedly. From the class representative, to the module leader, and a club head, leadership did not always look like a title to me. Sometimes, it meant taking charge of a group project. Other times, it meant helping a friend pitch their idea or guiding clients who did not know where to start. Being a creative leader meant more than just producing beautiful work; it also meant being accountable, collaborative, and solutions-oriented. This helped me learn to trust myself more, to speak up when something mattered, and to listen when others needed space to contribute.

Designing the future, I want

As I prepare to graduate, I am most certainly not just walking away with a degree but rather a foundation, built on creativity, confidence, and continuous learning. My journey at Strathmore University taught me that personal development is not a destination but a daily choice. It is the way you show up, the risks you take, the values you hold, and the things you create for yourself and others.

To anyone starting their university journey or who feels unsure about where they fit in, start where you are. Lean into what makes you different, say yes to the things that scare you a little, and build your version of success, one design, one decision, one step at a time.

The truth is that the most powerful thing you can design is your path.

Article by Samya Abdallah Badhawi