MY JOURNEY (2)

My little story as an undergraduate...


- God's divine arrangement.

Precisely on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2015; I got information from the guy who owned the cybercafe not too far from our house, that FUTA (Federal University of Technology, Akure), would be having a supplementary post-utme examination for certain courses which were newly introduced into the University. Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Anatomy, and a few other courses. 

He added that the deadline for registration was that day. “Which one is FUTA again?” I asked because I honestly had not heard of FUTA at that time. He did quite a good job in giving details about the University and where it was located, but I was not interested. 

As I said in my previous post, I had made up my mind to try UNILORIN again the following year. So, I just told him I was not interested. My mum completely ignored what I had said (she was right there with me), and went ahead to ask for the cost of the registration fee. After collecting the necessary details, we left for the bank immediately to make payment. I was so reluctant about going to Akure for the examination and every other thing that was involved. 

Eventually, I did the examination and scored very well. I was quite surprised because I felt I did poorly in the exams. Few weeks later, I got admitted to study the course of my choice – Accounting. It was obviously a miracle, because very few were selected among thousands that sat for the exam.

- My first year: Akure! Here I come!

On my way to Akure to resume the new session, all I had in mind was this: Be a good girl, mind your business, do not get into any trouble, study well, go to church, and have good results. It was as simple as that.

Nothing more, nothing less. In fact, my head just had to be correct because the sermons I received from my parents were more than enough for ten children put together. My first year in the university started out quite smoothly. I did not have all I wanted, but at least my parents made sure my basic needs were met. I did not get involved in any extracurricular activity. 

All I did was go for lectures, do assignments, read (only few days to tests or exams), visit my friends, attend fellowship services, eat, and sleep. Academically, I was not a student who read a lot. All the efforts I put was to make sure that I did not fail any course. And have at least a grade above average. I started off with a very good grade point and hoped that it increased as I moved on.

 I also attended fellowship services regularly but was out of the auditorium immediately after the benediction (I just wanted to maintain a low profile). It went on like that until I was convinced enough to join the workforce in second semester. Intending workers were given the opportunity to choose two units. I chose drama and library units. Drama unit - because I had always been part of the drama group back in secondary school. Library unit - because I felt it did not involve speaking to people (I was looking for a place to hide). As God would have it, I was not placed in any of the units I wanted, but was placed in the unit I dreaded the most – Bible study unit. Speaking in front of people was a nightmare for me, and it felt like I wasn’t going to cope.

 Ha-ha! CTY

Now, it's quite normal for ladies entering into the university newly, to have guys that would be after them. Having a beautiful face, might increase the number. 

I remember some of my senior colleagues in their final year who would say “Don’t let those guys do ‘CTY’ for you o!” I laughed anytime they made that statement. CTY which simply means ‘Catch them young’, is a program usually organized by students of various fellowships (Christians and Muslims) in the school during post-utme examinations and at the beginning of a session; to welcome the freshers, invite and encourage them to be a part of their fellowship.

However, what my senior colleagues were referring to, was not the CTY organized by these fellowships. They were talking about guys who were after freshers (ladies) for no other reason than to mess up with them, because they believed they were young, innocent, and naïve. 

So, that meant they were also ‘catching them young’. I had a number of guys who were after me and wanted a relationship. Truth be told, I was enjoying the attention and the 'unsolicited' gifts. Lol. Nevertheless, one thing was clear - whether they were serious about it or not, going into a relationship was not a priority for me at that time.

- My second year: New apartment.  The gentlemen who were 'in love'.  Developing confidence.

At the beginning of a new session, which marked my second year in school, my roommate and I had to move to another apartment. The former one in which we lived was quite small. So, we wanted an apartment that was roomy enough to accommodate all of our belongings conveniently. 

Though it was not in proximity to the school as the previous one, we were willing to take it, just for the sake of comfortability. It was a bigger hostel with about 32 rooms, and was predominantly occupied by guys.

Trust me, there were times when there would be so much noise that you could hardly concentrate to read, or sleep. Two people in different rooms could be playing music loud enough to break one’s ear drums. And yes, smoking and drinking were not left out. I passively smoked cigarettes a lot of times (duhh, those guys did not give a damn).

I was not ready to attract more attention to myself, so confronting them was the last thing on my mind. As much as I tried to mind my business, the number of 'gentlemen' who fell 'in love' only increased as the days went by. The pressure was something. 

To be sincere, it was distracting me and I did not know how to handle the situation properly. I believe God just helped me not to make rash decisions out of pressure, because that would have charted me off course. My academics was going on well, and I had one of my best results as an undergraduate that session.

 Speaking in public was still a nightmare for me. On the day I was going to teach at the fellowship, I was as nervous as a cat! For the first time, I had to face one of my biggest fears. I kept on thinking of what I was going to say, how to say it, and how I was going to face people. I managed to do the teaching that day (my voice was literally shaking) and well, I did not die. Lol. It was a big challenge for me, but I was able to develop confidence as I took other teachings.

I’m still growing, but I am definitely better than I was.
Ha-ha! I thought I had seen it all, but in my third year, I experienced something I never imagined would happen to me. And I needed more than my strength to carry on...

Meanwhile, these are some of the lessons I learnt from this phase.

(1) In times when you are faced with pressure, or you are not sure of the right thing to do; it is wise to seek godly counsel. You may think you are strong, but don’t keep it to yourself.

(2) From my little experience,when speaking in public or making a presentation;even if you are nervous, don’t show it. Stand still, don’t pace. If you have to walk around, do it confidently. Try as much as possible not to speak too fast, gain control of your words and voice to avoid stuttering.

(3) Distractions are everywhere. Learning to live a life of discipline, and dependence on the Spirit of God, will help us identify them early and place us back on the right track.

(4) When presented with opportunities to face even your biggest fears, don’t chicken out. It’s a challenge to build you, and make you become better.
Above all, always lean on God to help you.

To be continued...
(Read up part one if you have not)

STAY SAFE.

With so much love,

©️ MHOYEEN

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