MY JOURNEY (1)

I left the examination hall that afternoon with so much anxiety. I just hoped that everything would eventually turn out fine. The aggregate score of each candidate for the examination would be sent via a text message the next morning. 

Those who knew me well, understood that I never joked with having a good sleep. But this time, I kept rolling from one end of the bed to the other as it was quite difficult for me to sleep. All that went through my head were thoughts of what I would score in the examination. 

At exactly 7am, my phone vibrated as it would when a text message was delivered. I was so certain that it was the message containing the result. I rushed to pick up my phone on the table beside the bed, and there it was. “Recharge N400 and get up to N1000 worth of airtime. Dial bla bla bla…” I did not bother to read the rest of the message. I was waiting to receive a message from JAMB not some mobile network. I let out a long hiss as 

I dropped the phone on the bed in disappointment. Just as I was about to leave the bedroom for the toilet, my phone vibrated again. My heart skipped a bit, as I turned back to reach for the phone. This was the text message I had been waiting for. “Dear E.M Ajiboye, your aggregate score is 196….” I read the whole of the message but this was the only sentence that registered in my mind. I mean, all I wanted to see was my score. I scored a hundred and ninety-six out of four hundred. I could not measure my performance exactly but I was not expecting a score as low as that. At that point, I thought of two things. 

What the reaction of my parents would be and how surprised my friends would be when they got to know about my score.

Truth be told, I was not the best in my class; but I was seen as one of the brilliant students. To hear that I scored 196, would be rather astonishing. I felt weak as I walked out of the bedroom. I met my dad in the sitting room eating something. Something I sincerely can’t remember now. 

All I focused on was how to tell him my score. Without any greeting, I fixed my eyes on the ground and let the words out. “Daddy, I scored 196.” By the time I raised my head to look at what his reaction would be, my eyes were full of tears already. 

I could not hold them back anymore, as they flowed down my cheeks. “196? What happened? Were the questions difficult? That score is too low.” I remained mute as he asked those questions. “Hnmmm... focus on your WAEC exams (SSCE) for now. It’s very important. Just make sure you put your best into it.” That was all he said as he walked out of the sitting room. Mum only re-emphasized what dad had said earlier when she got back home later in the day. 

Whew! That was quite a relief because I expected her to say more than that (some of you can relate). Now, the other issue was what to tell my friends. Do I tell them I scored 196? Would it be better to say I had not seen my result? Or should I just tell them I scored 205? It’s above average at least. After battling with so many thoughts, I finally decided to tell my friends what would please my ego. Or maybe we should call it pride. I mean I told a lie that I scored 205.

Apart from my family, no one knew the truth about my result. Few weeks later, I got some information that there were errors in the results of some candidates who wrote their UTME within a certain time frame. It was reported that the aggregate score sent to certain candidates via text message was the addition of three subjects instead of four.

When I heard this, I went ahead to check my result online almost immediately. I could not contain my joy when I saw an aggregate score of 254! One of the happiest days of my life I would say. Some of my colleagues also had similar experience. I was so happy, and somehow it motivated me to study hard for my Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE). 

All I wanted was to get admission into the University of Ilorin that year. Yes, that was the university I opted for. The time for SSCE eventually came. I could beat my chest and say I did all my examinations well except for General Mathematics. To be sincere, I never really liked mathematics even though I passed every of the exams I wrote. I just hoped that I wouldn't fail this time. I was so scared to check the result when it eventually came out. Dad had to check it out for me some days later. I passed all the subjects, including Mathematics. It was obviously a miracle, because if it was based on what I had done in that exam, I should be given a grade worse than a F. Considering the fact that I did well in both UTME and SSCE, I was quite positive that I was going to enter the university that year; if I performed well in the post-utme examinations. 

Fortunately, I had a good score in the post-utme exams. It was more than the cutoff point to study the course of my choice - Accounting. I was certain my name would be on the merit list. The first, second, and third admission lists were released. My name was nowhere to be found. I would check the university portal from time to time, but would still get the same message, “Not yet admitted”. To say I was devastated would be an understatement.

 Several weeks went by and nothing came up. I had given up already and had it mind to start preparing for the next UTME. However, somewhere along the line, I got an information that I did not consider vital at the time; but would mark the beginning of a journey to some place that was never in my plan...

The story has just begun, but these are some of the lessons I learnt from this phase.

(1)You do not need to hide your failures. Yes, it would sting your ego; but be courageous enough to say the truth. Understand that failing at something does not diminish your worth.

 
(2) Always commit all you do into God's hands no matter how well you think you have performed. Don't lean on your wisdom or intelligence.

(3) In situations where it looks like all hope is lost, there is always a light at the end of tunnel. God's plan for us is better than the best that we even want for ourselves.

 
(4) Stay positive.


With so much love,

MHOYEEN

Email: mhoyeenmo@gmail.com

I invite you today to accept Jesus Christ into your heart, if you have not. He loves you. And he wants you to radiate beauty and fulfill purpose. All you have to do is believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that God raised him from the dead to give you eternal life. Say this with me.

 

"Lord Jesus, I come before you today. I believe and confess that you died for me and rose again to give me eternal life. Thank you for coming into my life. Thank you for forgiving my sin. Thank you for saving me. I am born again. I am saved. I am a child of God in Jesus name, Amen."

If you said this short prayer, congratulations! You are a new creation in Christ Jesus.

Please send me a message. I will be glad to talk and pray with you.😊

Email: mhoyeenmo@gmail.com

Instagram: @mhoyeenmo