MY UNIVERSITY DIARY:
First exams in school
The frustrations we went through in level 100, e no bi easy.
I will never forget the day of my very first exam in school. Academic Writing was a required course for all level 100 students. One of the university’s examination rules was, “you will not be allowed to write the paper if you arrive at the exam venue 15 minutes after the exam has started.” On the timetable, students’ index numbers were put into ranges and index numbers in each range were assigned to a specific exam venue. I saw 'NNB' as my venue, which was just 15 minutes’ walk from my hall, Akuafo hall. I checked the notice board about 20 times just to ensure I didn’t make a mistake. You know how first exams in school are like; the zeal and enthusiasm mixed with fear and panic is intense, so I left my room 1 hour before time.
When I got to the exams room, I searched for my index number, but I couldn't find it. I checked room one, room two, room 3. It never crossed my mind to ask for assistance from the staff. I had no idea how exams were conducted, so I ignorantly run back to my hall to confirm my index number.
Again I saw NNB as my venue. I started running at top speed and didn’t stop until I got back to NNB, sweating profusely and out of breath. I searched and searched again for my index number but to no avail. I finally decided to tell the invigilator my problem, by which time the exams had already started.
They checked the list and said I was supposed to be taking my exam at JQB room 23, on the first floor. Those of you who know UG well, know that walking from NNB to JQB is like climbing a hill; the road is quite hilly. The speed with which I run erhh, only Allah knows. The funny thing is, I met many people running in the opposite direction towards NNB, they were probably in a similar predicament as I was. I grew tired, my energy was depleted, and my spirit was low, but still I didn't give up. I kept running until a guy run past me. In fact, I forgot all my sunnatic principles. I begged him “brother please hold my hands, help me so I can run at your pace.
He held my hands, but he was running so fast that I could hardly keep up. At long last, I got to JQB, climbed that 15th century staircase and I was breathing with my tongue out like a thirsty dog, only to realize that my true venue was NNB. When I checked the time, it was 15 minutes past the starting time of the paper. I begged the invigilators to allow me to write there, but they told me to go back to NNB. I begged and pleaded and cajoled and cried until they finally served me with the question papers and got me a seat. I picked my pen but it took me several minutes to calm down; my hands and legs where shaking. I couldn't write even a full stop until after some minutes. Hail University of Ghana! Ampa ne ampaa, the results came and I was not surprised that I had to rewrite the paper.
Lessons learnt: The part where i was running to JQB and met people running to NNB teaches us to focus on our own journey. Everyone is on a special journey so you shouldn't look at the direction people are moving in and decide to abandon your journey and follow them
What lesson did you learn from my Story
*_Author: Samiha Sulleyman_*
First exams in school
The frustrations we went through in level 100, e no bi easy.
I will never forget the day of my very first exam in school. Academic Writing was a required course for all level 100 students. One of the university’s examination rules was, “you will not be allowed to write the paper if you arrive at the exam venue 15 minutes after the exam has started.” On the timetable, students’ index numbers were put into ranges and index numbers in each range were assigned to a specific exam venue. I saw 'NNB' as my venue, which was just 15 minutes’ walk from my hall, Akuafo hall. I checked the notice board about 20 times just to ensure I didn’t make a mistake. You know how first exams in school are like; the zeal and enthusiasm mixed with fear and panic is intense, so I left my room 1 hour before time.
When I got to the exams room, I searched for my index number, but I couldn't find it. I checked room one, room two, room 3. It never crossed my mind to ask for assistance from the staff. I had no idea how exams were conducted, so I ignorantly run back to my hall to confirm my index number.
Again I saw NNB as my venue. I started running at top speed and didn’t stop until I got back to NNB, sweating profusely and out of breath. I searched and searched again for my index number but to no avail. I finally decided to tell the invigilator my problem, by which time the exams had already started.
They checked the list and said I was supposed to be taking my exam at JQB room 23, on the first floor. Those of you who know UG well, know that walking from NNB to JQB is like climbing a hill; the road is quite hilly. The speed with which I run erhh, only Allah knows. The funny thing is, I met many people running in the opposite direction towards NNB, they were probably in a similar predicament as I was. I grew tired, my energy was depleted, and my spirit was low, but still I didn't give up. I kept running until a guy run past me. In fact, I forgot all my sunnatic principles. I begged him “brother please hold my hands, help me so I can run at your pace.
He held my hands, but he was running so fast that I could hardly keep up. At long last, I got to JQB, climbed that 15th century staircase and I was breathing with my tongue out like a thirsty dog, only to realize that my true venue was NNB. When I checked the time, it was 15 minutes past the starting time of the paper. I begged the invigilators to allow me to write there, but they told me to go back to NNB. I begged and pleaded and cajoled and cried until they finally served me with the question papers and got me a seat. I picked my pen but it took me several minutes to calm down; my hands and legs where shaking. I couldn't write even a full stop until after some minutes. Hail University of Ghana! Ampa ne ampaa, the results came and I was not surprised that I had to rewrite the paper.
Lessons learnt: The part where i was running to JQB and met people running to NNB teaches us to focus on our own journey. Everyone is on a special journey so you shouldn't look at the direction people are moving in and decide to abandon your journey and follow them
What lesson did you learn from my Story
*_Author: Samiha Sulleyman_*
What an interesting narration. Your perseverance compelled the invigilators to allow you to write the exams in the first instance. I also agree that we should never follow people blindly.
ReplyDeleteTrue , thanks for your comment. Great observation there
DeleteNice it's just like what happened to me in school first semester
ReplyDeleteVery interesting experience
DeleteWell, you know the realiaties of some African universities are similar
ReplyDeleteTrue
Delete