Okay, I will admit to being a very forgetful person sometimes. Most times, I forget minor things, while once in a while, I forget something significant. I remember one time searching the internet for ways to counter and stop forgetfulness. But at some point, I just accepted that I am a human being and humans can't be perfect.
One time I forgot something very important in my level 200 during the second semester examinations.
From our first time ever writing our departmental exams, they made this unnecessary and annoying rule.
The rule was that, after paying our school fees and registering our courses on the school portal, we were meant to make three hard copies of each of our school fee receipts and course registration slips.
Then we submit the three to the head, they are signed and stamped, and a set is returned to us to present before entering the exam halls for every exam.
The reason I said it was unnecessary is because they could just block the student portal of anyone who doesn't pay before the deadline. It's something they do for other payments like how you can't access your portal without paying the portal access fee.
So we were writing the 200-level second-semester exams,, and we had gone halfway.
I had this habit before of clearing out my bag every day when I was back from school, and the next morning I arranged everything I needed for the day into the bag.
So, the previous day after the exam, I did the usual and emptied my bag. Read throughout the night with my revision book where I jot down what I read. That night I think the reason for the predicament I found myself in was Janet, my course mate.
I met her in night class; she saw me reading with my revision book and was like, “Why are you writing notes now that exams have already arrived? Or are you preparing a bullet for tomorrow? (What she meant as a bullet, was written cheat paper with answers).
Then I started explaining to her, and after convincing her of the outcomes I got from reading a revision book, she said she would definitely start trying it.
I can remember telling her this—my revision book and writing materials were the only things I needed to go for exams.
And I registered that in my mind.
The next morning I prepared for the exam, I took my bag and put my revision book and writing materials in it—“the only things I needed for my exams”
I reached school one hour and a few minutes before the exam commenced. I used the spare time I had to revise my revision book.
The exam commenced, and it hit me when everyone brought out their stamped and signed papers as the attendance list call started. I only carried my book and writing materials.
The worst thing was that my name was always at the beginning of the attendance list; when the woman who was on the list called my name, I went to her and explained and begged that I forget my paper as polite and humble as ever.
This woman was quiet and waited for me to finish, and after I was done, she just shouted at me “Just get out, you will stand outside for 30 minutes before entering. After all, you will enter and still write rubbish…” She insulted me more before she went back to calling the attendance list.
It was not just about me forgetting my paper, but the way she shouted at and insulted me just brought my spirit down. She was serious and did what she said. I stood outside and the question papers and answer sheets were shared. Luckily, our examination officer saw me and asked me why I wasn't seated. I told him, and he pitied me and gave me a seat and the papers, so I started at the same time with everyone.
I read very well for that exam, but my result wasn't what I aimed for because throughout the examination and till the end of the day, I still felt kind of sad and down-spirited.
After that exam, I immediately reached the room. I emptied my bag and dedicated a part of my bag to my papers and writing materials so I wouldn't empty that part no matter what.
Ever since that is how I have avoided forgetting my papers. Although the last exams I wrote didn't request any confirmation papers, I still kept my papers intact like I have been doing.
