This is a quote that best described my story about failure and how I persevere until I got what I was looking for. It is painful and disheartening when you apply for admission, but are rejected especially seeing your future and already planning how things would go.
I remembered some years back when I was just a little young girl, sitting with my mom in the shop that evening and I could also remember it was on a Thursday because there were ladies and guys all dressed in their Khaki uniforms, these were NYSC members and are also called Corpers. NYSC means National Youth Service Corps and it's a one-year program for all Nigerian graduates to serve their country.
I saw these groups of Corpers and their uniforms attracted me, so I promised myself to study hard and wear the uniform.
After my NCE program which lasted three years in college and that was in 2015, I planned to further my Education for my Bachelor's degree once. I already started applying for direct entry to a university close to where I did my NCE program but I was rejected.
Unfortunately, my mom died in June 2016 and my dream of furthering my education was shattered. She was the one running around to cater to her children and she did her best. I couldn't stop dreaming of going to school but there was no hope of me applying.
My sister decided to help me and she said I would be going back to school. Though I insisted I wanted to work more because I never had anyone except my sister who was just beginning a new work.
I decided to apply the second time through direct entry into 200 level instead of obtaining a jamb form which could make me start from 100 level. But with my NCE certificate, I could take the direct entry form.
The application form came towards the end of 2016 when I bought it, I travelled to Lagos State the following year in January because I picked the University of Lagos as the school had the course I wanted to do. I went through a tough time in Lagos because of this process as I was present to be screened and my results checked. Thank God we weren't writing any exams.
I went back home with the hope that I'd been given admission. But unluckily for me, I was rejected as I didn't meet up with the score they wanted. I cried for days because I wanted to be in that school. I thought going back to school wasn't for me and I kept thinking of my dream to go for NYSC and becoming a Corper.
I waited for another chance to get a form to be out because I decided to try again and if it doesn't go, then, I might just forget about it and continue working.
When the form was out towards the end of the year 2017, I planned to pick the same university again with the hope of being admitted. One thing about direct entry form is that it comes out a few weeks after the jamb form. When I had waited for the form to be out, I got the news that the school wasn't admitting direct entry candidates but jamb that year.
I got devastated. I didn't want to obtain a jamb form as I wasn't planning on starting from 100 level. Even when people kept advising me to go for it, I declined, of what use when I already went for my NCE program which I used 3yrs, so will I be using another four years in the University instead of three? I had to stop trying any school which I concluded going to school wasn't for me.
I never planned to try again because I assumed nothing good would happen but my sister kept encouraging me to press on and never lose hope. She told me how she was wishing for me to go to school and become a University graduate just like her and my younger sister who was already in school by then. Even though I loved her wish, I just lost hope in it.
Then, in December 2018, another form was out. I was skeptical about it for a while because I do not want to waste any money again. But I proceeded to obtain the form and did all I needed to do. I didn't choose UI again but a federal school in another state.
After some months, an online test was scheduled for all candidates and we were allowed to write from anywhere so that we wouldn't be coming over to the school. It was an easy one as I could just go to a nearby cafe and get it done. I was using an android phone but I was scared as I didn't want any mistake to happen.
After writing the test, the result came after the third day and I got a score that could get me into the school, at least I got over 70% chance of being admitted but I wasn't happy, thinking I might lose it again.
Several months later, the admission list was out. All batches came out and I couldn't find my name. I was so scared and hopeless again. I didn't know what to do because I kept asking the question "why was this happening to me?"
At that point, I knew I had tried my best and that was enough. I have failed three times already so why should I continue? The next day I continued working as a teacher and had forgotten about the admission.
Then, one day while in Church, a member asked about my admission and I explained everything from A-Z without missing any detail of it. He said to me, "Mrs....has a brother in the University, let's talk to her so her brother would help us". I didn't want to accept at first but he insisted he would help me.
We spoke to the woman and she also talked to her brother about my situation. My details were sent to him and he called me to keep being hopeful. I was happy again and had a ray of hope because this man was working in the admission office and I had faith that something could be done.
The man called some days later to confirm from my dashboard. I checked and saw "Admission in progress". I became happy because I already knew I would be given admission. I kept refreshing the page and after a few hours that day, the status changed to "You have been offered an admission into......to study the course...." I said in my mind, "at last" with a sigh.
I jumped with excitement and ran outside but no one to share the good news with because dad wasn't around. I called my sisters and shared the news with them. I kept trying my dad's number but wasn't going through, I was so eager to relay the news to him while waiting for him to return. When he did, I told him and he was so happy for me.
That was how I gained admission in January 2019 after failing and being rejected but I tried again.
Thanks for your time on my blog.
Hmmmmm what God cannot do doesn't exist, you are indeed an epitome of patience and hardwork, I am happy you really kept your cool during those hard times especially after you lost your mum, failed several times, you still never gave up until fortune smiled on you my dear, this is indeed a divine help from above...
Hoping to see you going in for service soon my dear, June is nearby or are you in already??
June ke? With the way I am looking at things, my school hasn't approved our results yet and no graduation, senate list yet. The next Nysc registration is next month I think and we haven't done clearance.
Still hoping though. Thanks for asking 😊
Wow, that was a tight one and I am glad you didn't give up on your dreams so easily. I can tell that it was depressing when things didn't work out at first.
Some times in life we usually don't know at what point our prayers will be answered and you sister did a great job by inspiring to keep trying.
The man in the university is an angel, God sent him to put an end to your struggles.
Yes, this is why we should keep trying even when we keep failing because we do not know when it will click for us. God is always working and we should not give up.
The man came as an angel and I was so grateful too.
Thank you, George.
I was emotional reading the last part ma.
You were so persistent and that was the result. I've always known that you're someone who, through perseverance and hard work, will be successful in whatever you desire. I hope and pray for your success in the future.
Just always be faithful !LADY
This reminded me of those months I waited to have a job here in HK. I felt hopeless at times, but I never gave up. That's the spirit of a real lady 😊.
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Yes. When we keep forging ahead without giving up, someday what we ever desired and wished for would come to pass.
Thanks so much for your comment 💕💕
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Thank you for this, @jane1289 😎
You kept on trying and so you got succeeded in the end, not many can stick to something like that. Keep this spirit alive.
Thank you. Yes, I will keep the spirit alive.
Sooner you will be wearing you khaki by God’s grace. There is no Victory without a history. That’s life.
I am happy you finally scaled through despite the hardship and inconvenience. You faced fear and God did.
I wish you many more success in life..
Yes o, I just can´t wait and my school should answer us too. They are delaying us.
Wow.. just wow
So sorry for all the stress you went through seeking for admission in the university. I never knew that direct entry comes with such stress. Glad you made it at last. People are the short cut to our success sometimes...see how you got help after failing three times. Now you can wear your khaki in peace 😂😂😂👍
Congratulations princess ❤️
The stress of applying as a direct entry candidate can be so frustrating until you enter, you will be relieved. Lol
If not for the people God brought my way to help me and it´s also good for one to speak up to find help. Thank you ma.
Yea speaking out has granted me favour in the past... keep doing great 👍
Thank you ma 😊
Congratulations on your ability to maintain hope and persistence, @princessbusayo. Many people in your shoes would have given up. You have what it takes to achieve all goals. Thank you so much for this exciting story of creative nonfiction and for supporting fellow writers.
I am glad writing and sharing my experience too. Thank you
You certainly faced a lot of challenge just to get that admission. I'm glad you didn't give up and got what you wished for in the end.
Yes, I didn't and it paid off for me in the end. Thank you.
Insist, persist, and never give up. I'm glad you never stopped trying and in the end, you enjoy the fruit of that insistence and desire to keep hope up. A great personal achievement that you and yours will surely enjoy. Greetings.
Thank you so much for this comment.
It's so good when you have someone to keep encouraging you not with words alone.
Those periods must have been really frustrating but in the end, you made it.
Congratulations.
Yes, I made it.. All thanks to God and those who stood by me. Thank you, sis
You are welcome
Failure and rejection is always part of success! Maybe you didn't got the admission before as I believe it was not yet the perfect time
You are right. I realized that when things do not work out for you, it means it is not yet time for it. When the time comes, nothing is ever going to change it. Thank you, Lhes
Perseverance cannot be underestimated in our daily life to life activities.
Wow! Thanks to God you are close to your dream of wearing Khaki uniform soon.
Kept me glued to the screen toll the very end👍
Don't mk d Nigeria educational system.. it's just designed to frustrate people at every step.. may God help us all
Popped in via @dreemport
Nigerian schools can frustrate one. Could you imagine I was through with my studies last year in February and we haven´t been approved and graduated talkless of registering for NYSC? So funny. Lol
Hmmm! It's well sha
They can't keep holding you guys, when they are tired, they will release you all
That is one thing I know. Lol
We will go someday. Perhaps, it´s for a good reason things are happening this way.
Thank you.
Glad you are seeing light in this situation
Wait... Does they mean you're already serving 🤔
Serving? Still hoping it should be this year because our school refused to approve our results and graduate us. Still hoping.
Ha! Okay
Still glad you are almost done with that also
Congratulations
Yea 😊
Wow, you kept on trying that is the basic key to achieving something .
Now are are reaping the fruit of it.😍😍
Yes, when we keep trying, there is sure a bright side of every thing we ever tried and worked for. Thank you, sis.
Yeah you are right dear.
You are welcome too
Sharing this story must have brought back sad memories because for me, I got a little emotional about it. It is really tough when you don't have people who are ready to finance academic career but I'm glad you made it, I'm really and sincerely happy for you. You are an evidence of grace and miracle.
Nigerian schools can be sickening at times especially the federal schools, I guess and I believe UNILAG did not work out for a reason best known to God.
Keep moving forward and striving because there is nothing you can not achieve as long as you are determined.
Yes, UNILAG didn´t work out for God´s reason and I was excited then that it went successfully with another school after many trials and efforts. Yes, I had to flash back to how things were while writing this post and made me emotional.
Thank you so much for reading.