
There is a saying that hard work pays and also, those who oppose such a statement would opine that being smart pays more. This means even without putting much effort, once you are able to apply intelligence and smartness, you will achieve a good result. This, most times make those who put in extra effort sad because it means a waste of time for them. Of a truth, I agree to both but it depends on the kind of work it is. In my school, there are cases of students including myself that work and study hard all night on a particular course whereas someone who didn't pick his or her book is getting a higher grade than one who took his or her time studying and staying awake all night.
I was more than surprised when a guy in my department came out with a second-class upper; this is a guy who doesn't read but relies on cheating in the exam hall. Students like me would stay up late at night, some take coffee to avoid sleeping, and during exams, this guy will jump from one seat to another begging for answers, this has continued with him all through my college years and to know his grade got me shocked. At that point, his results should be justified because there was no effort in his reading and that is unfair.
In most cases, I have done something and put in my efforts and the results were something worth it, and at the same time, my effort didn't bring my desired result. Sometimes, it makes people including me angry because of the extra effort we put into something and at the end of the day, the result isn't worth it. This definitely would make some give up because to them, what use is working hard and not getting something tangible? It's a waste of time, only a few would think this way without seeing or learning lessons from it.

Just like the concluded Zealy campaign we did, I would say the result was worth it for me because I knew how much I dedicated to the task. I was awake all night just to meet up with the daily task, attend meetings, did a video and more posts as required. I knew how hard I pushed and strained myself, especially during the weekend battle. I felt ill the next day and had to stop due to offline activities which got my schedule online tight and couldn't focus on the remaining days of the campaign, but when the result was out, I felt happy and knew what I got was worth it. I got an NFT and aside from that, I was able to increase my Leo token, Hive Power and got most of my posts upvoted. At least my effort wasn't in vain on that.
A situation where the efforts put in didn't determine a good result was on a particular course in my 400-level first semester. Till now, I still feel like cursing the lecturer in charge but I wouldn't because my grade is much more better now. Perhaps it could have given me more but I move. The course is titled "Faith Counselling" and it has only 30 pages. You can feel how light the course was and very simple because it was all about prayer, its importance and relating religion and faith to counselling. This course was more like a story to share which was also relatable. I had known this course wouldn't be a problem because I read all pages over and over again so that I wouldn't make any mistakes during the exam. I was so excited when I walked into the exam hall knowing it wouldn't be difficult. Of a truth, those questions asked were more like, what is prayer? what is the importance of prayer? etc. Who wouldn't be able to answer these questions with you relating most with stories shared by the lecturer which was jotted in my notebook?
I got home feeling too happy and knowing I would be getting nothing less than A or B but my expectation caught up with the reality that says most times your effort won't determine your result.

I saw my score and it was an E. I crosscheck the line to confirm my matric number if it was what I was seeing and lo and behold, it was the same grade. I felt weak at that point and was like, "What is wrong? I read like mad and was so sure of what I'd be getting". Even those who I know didn't put in the effort or read the course got B and C. This spoilt my result and I was told to complain but I know my school because you could meet with another unexpected shock. I had to let go while hoping for other courses to be good.
What did I learn?
This is life and we would be met with shocking circumstances sometimes, we shouldn't be worried, but learn our lessons from it. I learned that even despite situations like this, it won't be going on forever and we shouldn't be afraid of moving on expecting the best in the future. Also, we shouldn't underestimate the value of putting in more effort because we think those who aren't doing that are still getting more significant results than us, at least the lessons we learn along the way are enough to keep us going because, in the end, we would still acquire more knowledge and information than the one who didn't.
Thanks for your time on my blog.
