Growing up in a polygamous home. There is a statement my mum always makes "You only have one time to fix a thing, there is no luxury for a second time". It means whatever I want to do, I'd better get it right or complete it the first time as failure to do so will mark the end of that thing.
While I was in primary school, I attended a private school, then... Our family was not in its 'monogamous state'. My siblings and I attended private schools and, we were always serious with our studies from the outset because my mum will never allow you to disgrace her. You know the feeling our parents get when asked what position their children got in their school report cards? That was the vibe she gave which means we have to work harder. Anything below 3rd position, you are looking for my mum's trouble. She doesn't even bother checking for the overall percentage, her own is the position. This made her always tell us to make her proud.
Fast forward to when I got to secondary school. My dad brought home another wife which means some luxuries we were afforded before were stopped. My brother and I were shipped to a public school while my younger sister remained in a private school as she was still in primary school.
Coping in a public school at first wasn't easy. I was seated at the back which was due to my height. Being seated at the back means you won't be able to hear the teacher well. Also, it was where you have other students disturbing the life out of you, though, I didn't let that deter me. When I got my results, my position was 4th out of about 60 students. I was already crying until I was told I tried. When I showed my mum she was not too happy as my previous position was either 1st or 2nd while I was still in private school, until someone pointed out my overall percentage as about 77%, saying my result is very good.
Moving on to when I sat for my Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination (jssce), my result was not too impressive as I managed to get a pass in maths. I only had a few credits, and that was when my mum knew my seriousness toward education has dropped a bit. Some of my friends in school were not serious type, so at times, I joined in playing and gisting when I should be reading. My mum kept telling me, it was no longer us alone, we now have another family with us as my stepmother was dropping children trying to compete with her. I was reminded how;
I only have once, as there is no luxury for a second time.
When I sat for my Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE), I went with that determination that I must clear my result in one sitting which I did. I wrote my jamb once and I passed.
After I got into a higher institution another thing happened that overwhelmed me. I was more invested in departmental courses because I wanted to get my footing back in mathematics. When my first-year result was pasted. I was the only one who got two carryovers in General courses, and none of the few friends I have made got any carryovers. I started crying and became worried and my mum's words kept ringing in my ears "you only have once, there is no luxury for a second time".
I knew I have to balance it and give general courses the same attention as departmental courses because I can't let even one course give me an extra year. I got worried with tons of questions on my mind, "where will I get the money to pay for my fees?" My dad will not even want to hear that he will have to pay for an extra year as the little he brings for my fees is being complimented by my mum. My elder brother was also in an higher institution as well, though not in the same school. I immediately told myself I need to be more serious and put in more effort and that was the only time I had a carryover till I graduated.
I am glad that my Mum's words kept ringing in my ears because who knows what would have happened.
This is my response to the week's prompt " words that mark life".
The image used is mine.