You will have to pick whichever title fits this story once you are done reading abeg…
Right from when I was young, I wasn’t very fond of school, I never understood why I needed to spend five days in a building repeatedly learning things. It was so boring and abstract to me. My parents tried all they could but to no avail, I was not dull neither was I smart, I was average and very comfortable with my grades. I had this attitude to life and everything surrounding me, I always thought the right things would come to me and I did not like pushing for things.
I graduated from secondary school eventually and got admission to the university. And man, the freedom and the exposure was surreal. Nobody was breathing down my back about attending classes, there were just good vibes and lots of chilling. I did not waste time in finding my clique. We did not do drugs, smoke or partake in any of those special “vices”.
We were just comfortable with playing games, gambling, eating and missing classes. I was not attending classes to talk more about reading. I had found the perfect life- or so I thought
First semester exams came around, the courses were not difficult and with a little glimpse of notes and slides from other people I passed. As predicted, I did not pass with flying colours. I was only one mark away from an F in some courses. My parents were so concerned and angry that I could not understand them- I mean, I did not fail. I just did not pass very well. My father threatened that he would stop paying for my tuition if I wasn’t serious.
Guess what I did, I continued my lifestyle, my father’s threats continued for three more semesters, but I felt we were rich and most of my siblings were doing well, my father should continue paying my school fees.
At the end of my second year. I was on holiday when the news that the results were out reached me. I logged in to my school’s portal to check my results and pasted in bold red fonts the words- ADVISED TO WITHDRAW. I was stunned, stunned is an understatement. I knew that although it sounded like a suggestion I most probably did not have an option.
Ah, what will I do?- I knew I definitely wasn’t going to tell my parents. I went back to school after the holidays and continued like nothing happened. I started putting in a little effort and attending classes. A few weeks into the new semester, I could not log into my student profile again, I realised it was because I had been removed from the system. One of my siblings informed my parents and my father sent me a text that would be the turning point of my life- he was not going to sponsor my education again. I had to fend for myself.
The following weeks were filled with lots of pleading with my father and also the school authorities. I was put on probation by my school but my father was having none of it.
Eventually, I paid my fees with contributions from my siblings, I took school seriously and by the end of that semester, things were looking good. My average gradually picked up and I devoted my time to studying. I was doing well but I wasn’t out of the murky waters yet, my father paid no attention to me.
I graduated from university and while still in university, my group mates and I were able to secure a research grant we were doing.-, yes, I became that serious. Now, you see why I was torn between the titles. Sometimes when life gives you lemonade, don’t make lemons out of it.
Have a happy week!
