SC-S29/W2- Nostalgia Of The Liitle Me : My School Days

Me leading a choral group in school

I have been privileged to attend schools starting from nursery school to primary school and then to the university. I would say it's a privilege because a lot of people didn't cross the four walls of a school.

I've got lessons, experiences, funny and sad moments and emotional times in school. Let's ride in this together...

A moment that defines your school life
(A day you will never forget, your first day at school or any happy, funny, or emotional school experience that still lives in your heart.)

My first day at school, a day I will never forget!

For me, it wasn't the regular thing. It was special, beautiful and interesting that I got the admission and finally going to the university.

I got so excited in packing all my belongings from my clothes, footwears, books, food stuffs and some gadgets. I left very early that Monday morning to my school, when I got there, my cousine welcomed me and took me to our house because we lived off campus. I settled down and waited fpr the next day.

As I heard previously, lecture time was as early as 8am so I prepared on time and left before time. I got to the school so early and I saw a lot students who were there before me. I walked down to my faculty but I wasn't able to locate where my department were having lectures. I moved down the hall up and down looking for them.

When I finally saw them, the first lecture was almost over, but I just sat close and listened. I lost my way on that same day going to buy lunch. My faculty is the largest in my school (Nnamdi Azikiwe University), and so if you ever missed your way, you just have to keep walking round and round until dawn.

I got upset at that moment I was walking up and down. It got to my notice after lectures that each classroom has a number and I could easily identify my class, I smiled and took note of it.

Describe how you felt as a student
(your fears, excitement, struggles, or happiness inside the school walls.)

The knowledge of being a student struck on me the moment I arrived the school environment and became independent. I literally had to take care of my things all by myself. I cook, I draw water, I go to the market, and I study my books. This was when I knew that I am now grown to be a student.

Being a student was an amazing experience. It taught me so many thing to which I live on today. Being a student opened a chapter of my life that I never knew I had, that is being independent. I used to think I would keep living with my parents till forever. I never went to the market while living with my parents and so it made lack knowledge of things in that aspect, but being a student thought me how to do it.

My greatest fear was living and eating alone. I don't eat alone in my parent's house and so I kept wondering how I could sleep alone and then cook and eat the meal alone. Well, they say a day begin a story right??? That's my story.

I gradually started cooking little by little and then tried eating alone for the first 2 weeks. I stopped and started going out to eat but after calculating expenses, I told myself the truth. I returned to trying it again to see if it works, and boom, I pulled through.

My happy moments was when I finally made a friend from the same department as me. She was called my twin sister because we looked alike and was almost seen everywhere together.

A friend or teacher who mattered to you
(Someone who inspired you, supported you, or disciplined you in a way that helped shape your character.)

A picture with my friend

Paschal was a friend who care about my wellbeing in school. He was my best friend before I got an admission and then he worked around my school area so it was very easy for him to always see me.

He was my shoulder all through my first year in school. When we took a break from school, he took me on a tour round the school because it was his alma mater plus he knows his way around. He always makes sure I read my books and study well.

Each time the exams approaches, he takes me to my lecturer's house to help me study there and after each exam, he would ask me questions on them before the result comes out to check my performance. He was just my parent in school. He disciplined me to a fault especially when he sees my results and notice a slack in any one.

Sometimes I would want to hang out with friends at night but Paschal would always appear like an angel to stop me. He would tell me to go pack my things and come stay at his place for the weekend because he wants to be sure of my moves. It wasn't funny for me because no one asked him to look after me and I was getting frustrated about it. But I kept following his orders until I graduated.

A mistake or lesson from school life
(An experience that taught you honesty, responsibility, confidence, patience, or an important life value.)

Well, I learned so much from school. Normally, we don't just pass through school, we also allow school to pass through us because it has so much to offer.

In school, I stayed alone off campus after my cousin had left. A course mate of mine came to me asking for help; where she could stay for few 2 weeks before she moves to her own place. I agreed that she come to my place and stay for the time been. I shared my food with her because I can't cook and eat alone when I have someone in my house but her little sense did not let her know that she needed to contribute no matter how small.

This lady stayed in my house for one month, one month turn one year still eating my food. During this period she would relax in the morning hours when we have lectures and I kept wondering why until one day I got to know why. I saw her in school one day wearing my full outfit with my handbag.

She didn't bother telling me before I left and even when I saw her in school, I was shocked and wowed but she didn't care. I had to condone her character untill one day I got fed up and called her to have a talk with her one evening.

I asked her when she will be leaving my house but this lady responded asking me where I want her to go to? OMG! this was the height of it, I became confused because I pay my rent alone and still feed and cloth you, but you come ask me where I want you to go to?

I got upset and gave her a deadline to leave my house because she crossed the line, taking me for a fool. I noticed she was not ready to leave so I told her that I will be traveling and I would be locking my door so she needs to pack her things. This was the only way to fet her off my path.

This scenario taught me to be wise when dealing with human beings. I was too careful relating with people because of experience.

Reflect on how those school days shaped who you are now
(How your school days influenced your dreams, personality, or the values you still carry with you in life.)

Yes, things happen to us so that we can learn from it. I became more serious person with life but not uptight. I learnt to forgive when hurt and let go of the remains.

Dealing with different class of people made me understand that life in general is not equal. I had so many experiences that even made me to lose trust on people and cut off from friends. Till date, I don't keep friends, I have just 2 friends and I'm cool with them around me.

Today, I try to treat people with love and respect not minding your status. I don't take rubbish from no one, and I help when I need to, not when I'm compelled to.

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I invite @mariami @eliany @pandora2010