The walls of a university opens you up to freedom and more freedom. When you're in high school, fear of your teachers and serving punishments make you sit up, but at the university, it's different.
No one punished you for anything. You don't even have to go to classes if you wish. You're your own master. And discipline, discernment is necessary on this journey into adulthood.
Life had been smooth for me all the while in school until it got to my 300l.
We were to write our second semester examination. I had been too grounded in the system to know how things worked. Just get me the timetable and I knew how to play things. It was common knowledge that exams scheduled for 9am would not start until about 11 or 12.
How I remember that day!
The exam was scheduled for 8:30am. It was a Tuesday. Our final paper too. I had studied so well and was confident that I would ace it. But I had not planned to go by the examination centre early....maybe I forgot that things did not revolve around me and time would not wait for me.
Besides, it was not an actual lecture and before all of the necessary procedures as collection of question sheets and seat-placements would have been done, I should show up.
Football gives me so much joy and to augument for my studies and calm my nerves, I planned to go to a nearby field and train a little.
My friend, Jagaban, who knows how much football means to me, and how much more important our education is, had said, "soka, 8am is almost here o. Leave that match for another time nah"
"Don't worry, I'll show up in time. I just want to exercise my mind and body a little, ease the tension and that's it," I had said.
"No problems. Play only small o, I know you. As for me, I'd leave for school shortly because I need to get something done at the faculty office"
"All right. I'll meet you in school"
We went out separate ways. But you know, time flies at the moments you least expect it to.
I had only played for what seemed like twenty minutes when I heard a guy tell another that he needed to leave as he had to go prepare for work and it was already 9:17am.
I stopped in my tracks. I had to ask someone the time and he confirmed it was 9:17am.
"Jesus! How!?," I exclaimed.
I picked my soccer bag, and ran out the field like someone who was possessed. I couldn't even afford a proper bath when I got home. I went in the shower and was out in seconds. I gathered my receipts; all of them - more than was required. I had no time to waste.
I ran all the way off to school. Was hoping that something had happened to delay the exam process. The exam hallway was deserted and quiet. I got frantic and extremely jittery. We all knew our university invigilators to be intolerant of bad behaviour.
When I moved closer to the exam Hall, I found my coursemates already seated and writing. Some were making gesticulation at me, some had their faces in shock, some were smirking.
An invigilator found me peeping in and enquired my mission there. I told her I had come for the exam.
"...at this time? Don't you have a timetable? Why are you just coming?"
First thought was to lie about everything but i kept mum.
"Just get out. You're not serious. All these boys....you'll not take your education serious"
I was sweating terribly. "I'm very sorry ma, please,"
"Leave! You'll rewrite this paper next year. Atleast this will serve as a lesson to every other student"
She left me there and walked away. My head grew heavy. My heart was pounding. I thought of; my parents, the struggles thought that semester, coming back the next year as a carryover student, ...my mother. I could just have listen to Jagaban and postponed the game for later.
Impulsively, I got out my phone and dialled my mum.
"Mummy, pray for me, please. We're having exams now but the invigilator would not let me go in because I came late. Pray for me"
I hung up without giving her the chance to speak. I went and sat at the hallway pavement. I slid my head in my palm. I could have cried. The tears stung the sides of my eyes. My whole body was shaking. My head was pounding.
I had been sitting there for what felt like eternity when i heard a voice behind me say, "you! Latecomer, come here."
Instinctively, I turned. Found the invigilator looking at me. She beckoned to me. I got up and walked to her.
Then she said, "you look like a good kid. Take your studies seriously, okay?"
My head was bowed in shame and guilt.
She continued, "punctuality will help you. You're too young to be doing that African-time nonsense. Go in and write your exam. Today is your day of grace. I'm only pitying you cause I have a son around your age.....(*in a sterner tone)... you'll stop same time as everybody else, so hurry."
I thanked her and went in feeling sad and thankful....mixed feeling sort of.
I was able to answer quite a number of questions. Funnily, I was conversant with almost all the questions and would have finished all I was required to if I only had the time.
Thanks for stopping by.
SOKA🖤