Steeming Community Contest |"At My Strongest Moment"

I made a resolve after secondary school not to indulge in examination malpractice all through my university days. I stood by my word and did everything within me to be serious with my studies.

Very close to my first exam as a new student in 100 level, the university added two courses to the courses we were already set to do throughout the course. The courses were arranged to be done with the 100 level courses. One was done in the first semester and the other was done in the second. The courses were Igbo language courses just because the school is situated within the region of Igbo people. I guess this was done to promote Igbo language among the non-igbos and so help them speak the language. But a very wrong approach was used and it was introduced at the wrong time.

As an Ijaw boy who had no form of understanding of the language, I began to learn to read a language in written form which I had not mastered just one but in speaking. Thank God for friends who were there to put me through. As the exams approached, I kept studying with no form of fear because I had the courage and the mindset of success in my endeavours. Finally, the exam came and I write the one for first semester without knowing what I really wrote. I only prayed to God that I wouldn't fail. The result came out and I managed to hit the pass mark, 40%. I only scaled through.

Second semester came and I prepared more because I kind of found that one to be more difficult. Though I was worried but I wasn't really bothered because I wanted to keep a clean sheet as regards this aspect in my life and education. Though my best friend in the department that was an Igbo boy offered to help, I declined and told him to just teach me before the exams. He tried his best to put me through in the best way he could. The day of the exam came and I wrote to the best of my knowledge but ended up with a score of 28%. I was devastated but I encouraged myself and made up my mind never to bend my resolve.

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In the second semester of my second year, I had to write it again. I became worried and thought of what to do. In the midst of my preparations, I became more worried and sought for advice from friends because I knew I would not have a chance to write it in the following year. I had to pass it anyhow. Friends started advising me against my resolve. Some told me to sit with people who knows the course so they would help me with answers so I could pass since that was the only way. I kept to my resolve and continued preparing. The deal day, the exam day came and I wrote what I knew. Still trusting God to help me through but unfortunately for me, I failed. This time, I scored 38%. Two marks away from pass mark.

I had only one chance to write this paper again. This had to be in my final year and if I failed, I would repeat a year in school because the said course was a general course. In the second semester of my final year, I joined year one students and took classes for the course. It was shameful because I met some year one students I knew but I looked away and set my eyes on the goal. In my mind was how they would see me. As somebody that battled with carry overs or some dullard. I just didn't allow all those thoughts bother me but the reason I was there and how I would graduate with my set and as at when due.

This period was really hard for me as many thoughts flashed through my mind. My parents and siblings see me as a very brilliant person but if I had an extra year, what would that suggest to them? Friends who respect my person because of my intelligence, how would they look at me. My course mates who have advised me to shift grands and who I didn't help in exam halls because of my principles, won't they mock me?

What kept me going at this time was my faith in God. I kept my head up and did only the right thing. I sought advice from two Christian friends of which one was my hostel mate and the other was my prayer coordinator in the fellowship. The one from my lodge told me I should do what I need to do. In his opinion, if I needed to do malpractice in the exam hall, I should do because if I failed it would only mean extra year. I told him I had heard and left. The one from my fellowship said I should believe in what could do and just continue with my classes while I prayed. He also told me he would pray along with me. I thanked him I left.

In the end of everything, I kept my resolve, I stood strong with God, and I passed the course gallantly. I made a B, the mark was 68%.
This was how I survived an impending extra year in my educational career.

I share this story with you guys not to boast but rather to encourage some out there to stand strong in that decision you have made. Be unshakable especially when you know you are doing the right thing. Don't be waver in your decision.

Another reason I want you to know of this story is because I want you to know that God never fails, he always keep his part of the bargain if you stay strong in him. It is up to anyone who brings a personal matter like this to God to do his part. God never fails.

Also know that friends won't give you the best of advice. They give advice based on who they her and you should be wise to filter out the dirt in their advices and take the good parts only.

This is my entry in this contest.

I invite @tmighty, @beautiefair and @afunkycares to be a part of this contest. I would wait to see your entry guys.