5 years ago I gained admission into the University, it was my biggest achievement at the time. I remember praying fervently and even going on a fast just to be admitted into the University of my choice.
Getting admitted into a public Nigerian university had some struggles, sometimes not because you're not qualified but because the system is too corrupt and sometimes the eligible guys have to wait for another year while the ones who have the finance will be admitted.
And then, there's this notion we all had as at then, a notion our parents passed down to us . This is how it is read in our minds "no matter how rich/successful you are, if you are not a graduate, you are an under achiever".
That's how our parents, older family members and society saw it, and that's how we saw it too. Nobody will tell it your face but you just knew that's the belief and thought pattern.
Fast forward to 2023, I am a young fresh graduate (still waiting for my papers though) and looking back I can not help but laugh at my younger self.
I used to feel so bad knowing the fact that I was not admitted into university alongside my school mates even when everyone knew I was one of the brightest kids in class, it is so funny remembering that such things used to make me slightly depressed (no one knew that) and that's the sad thing about depression. You do not feel the need to tell anyone, meanwhile it's eating you up gradually.
Now, I am a graduate and the top of my priority is upgrading my work flow and skills and also looking for other sources of making the "BIG BAG", that's totally what is on my mind right now.
You know the system in Nigeria is "all man for himself" 😂. You provide your own job, electricity, water and every other thing you need to make life better for you, the government does so little and does not give a damn about you, so the hustle here is raised to power 3.
Can I say I am desperate to make it? Yes, I am very much desperate and sometimes I feel bad that I'm not yet earning the big figures like others do, at some point I'm also happy I am making the right moves even if it's taking time and yes, I have come to terms with the fact that it's going to take time, cuz whatever will be big will require time and patience from me.
Nevertheless, I pray I make it sooner than expected, cus I got to make mama proud.
What's your own admission/graduate story, would love to hear.
