I remember school days. School was fun, until the exam days drew near. Everybody (or almost) silently wished that this cup could just pass over unfelt. Exam time always came with a marked difference from other times. Back in Great Ife, these were times when any “aluta” that gave students extra breaks from the rigors of studying was welcome, these were times when the news of a strike sounded pleasing. Exams were certainly not students’ best friends.
As mortifying as the thought of exams used to be however, one thing was clear that made exams good to look forward to. There was no progress without examination. Exams were the interface between one class and the next. Success at this level is what qualifies one for the next. Every term or session ended with an exam, and unlike geography, the higher you go, the cooler it didn’t become 🙂
Its so interesting how we long to leave the school environment, excited that the seige of exam is over. Unknown to us, life is also in layers and levels, and exams are still as necessary for progress as they were in school.
The exams of life however do not take place in the classroom, they are given when atimes we are unconcious of having an examination. There are times when things get rough, situations get tough and the road seems like a dead end. There are times when we feel like compromising our standards, sacrificing our dreams and breaking down under the weight of pressure. These times when we feel like the cup should just pass over us, are times of examination. Endure the process, stay strong under the pressures, press on and you’ll be qualified for the next class.
The pressures are not meant to break you, they are to strenghten you. Everything is a test! The next time your boss yells, your car breaks down on the third mainland bridge, you are in a venture that seems is destined to crash, the money you borrowed is almost due and you are almost stuck, you’re looking forward to help and none seems near or in sight. Don’t give up, hang on and give it your best shot, it’s only a test! It’s the last hurdle before your well deserved promotion.
