Some days flow gently and everything works out smoothly. Other days leave you so stressed and drain you so much that you wish you could erase them from your calendar. Yesterday fell into the second category for me.

I could not even talk about it immediately because by the end of the day, I was exhausted, weak, and emotionally worn out.

As a Nigerian university student, practicals form a major part of our final grades each semester. In my school, they are even more critical. If you miss a practical score, even if you perform excellently in the theoretical exams, you automatically repeat the course. No practical score means a carryover.

Yesterday, we had two practicals. I attended both. Unfortunately, due to some misunderstandings, my name was not recorded for attendance in both courses. 

That moment broke me. I was deeply sad, and at some point, I cried silently.

I was not the only student affected, but to me, it felt very personal. I do not like having unresolved issues in any of my courses, no matter how small they may seem. It is never just about the present moment for me. It is about what the outcome could be at the end of the semester.

We pleaded, but nothing changed. While others stayed calm and never bothered, I found myself battling sadness, anger, and self-blame. I kept thinking of what I could have done differently 🥹🥹.

After spending more than an hour trying to sort things out with no success, I bought fish rolls and a cold soft drink to calm myself, as I was becoming exhausted and very hungry at this moment. I went home hoping my biggest fear would not become reality 😑.

Even with all of this, I choose to remain hopeful. I will pass those courses with distinction, by God’s grace 🙏.

I refuse to let one painful day define my entire semester.

Yesterday was truly one of those days I wish never came, but I believe better days still lie ahead.