Growing up, I really struggled academically. I didn’t learn to read until I was almost 10. My parents always said it was probably because they had me at an older age, but I still tried my best not to repeat grades. At least I did my WAEC only once. When I stepped foot into university, I enrolled in a course that my elder sister had recently completed with one of the highest scores in her class.
However, that first year was a struggle; I failed miserably and barely passed any of courses, including the prerequisites.
Feeling defeated, I returned home to inform my parents of my intention to drop out.
My parents always knew i struggled academically, returning to university meant multiple carry overs including an extra year.
You see, I was never the brightest student even from high school, and the thought of being labeled a repeater filled me with shame. My sister offered guidance, sharing a piece of advice I’ll never forget:
People quickly forget your failures if you don’t dwell on them. All they need is the next new gist.
So sadly, I listened and I returned. I realized my study pattern was a little different from my peers. It meant I needed to start earlier than my colleagues, so I would do that and then teach tutorials, drawing strength from helping others. Shifting my focus to faith, I sought divine guidance.
In my second year, I did exceptionally well, catching the attention of my dean, who requested to see me.
With a stern voice, he asked, “What happened to you? You are actually brilliant. How did you fail so much last session?” His furrowed brow betrayed his concern, but his words also carried a glimmer of belief in my abilities.
Now, as I reflect on my journey, I am reminded of the transformative power of resilience and faith.
Failure may attempt to steal your voice, but it is through perseverance and unwavering belief in ourselves that we reclaim our narratives and forge paths to greatness and abilities.
Despite having to continue classes a set behind, I remained determined to excel. I chose to tune out the negative narrative and focused on crafting my own story of resilience.
That challenging event could have stolen my voice, but instead, it fortified my resolve to succeed. This resilience not only propelled me forward in the workplace and in business but also fueled my determination to pursue my master’s degree, achieving a distinction.
What lessons can you glean from your failures?
And how will you rewrite your story into one of triumph and resilience? Share below! 🌟
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