It was on a sunny Sunday, bumped into an old friend, a young and rising student-leader and fitness coach with striking poise for excellence and devotion, an undergraduate of a higher institution of learning in her mid-20s, just catching up on old times and the conversation got deeper and interesting.
But before I proceed, please bear my after-thought: Why do we need an invigilator in an examination organized for the clergy? Do they still cheat in College of Theology or School of Islamic Studies?
Back to my story…
Just as the conversation ensued, I noticed a 38-hour playtime Oraimo Airbud-4 on her right ear, the product design caught my gaze and I couldn’t stop admiring.
“Would you mind if I kept this as a souvenir for our impromptu meeting?”, I inquired and she retorted a very swift “No, it’s one of the most valuable assets in my education, take my shoes instead” (smiling).
Out of curiosity, I inquired further and she explained:
“I work with a standby source guy outside the hall, we’re always on constant communication during examinations; I read out the questions and he responds from the other end with the right answers, that’s my brain support.”
“Wow, technology aiding malpractice?”, I probed jokingly, “what if you get caught or maybe your connection fluctuates and the communication line breaks?”
She responded: “Well, I’ve been on this for over two years now, it is failure proof. I always wear a wigged hair to cover that part of my ear, you would never notice. Besides, if network causes any blunder, I’ll tilt my body back and forth till the connection is restored.”
That’s legendary, must be a genius!
On the flip side, have you thought about the effect of an under-used brain?
It is believed that the human brain has a huge amount of intelligence and capacity to process information. It is made up of about 100 billion neurons and 100 trillion connections, which allows for complex cognitive functions such as perception, memory, learning, language, and problem-solving; estimated to hold anywhere between 10 terabytes and 2.5 petabytes of information. The exercise of these neurons enhances the capability and sustainability of the human brain.
Inappropriate use of the brain cells may lead to several abject experiences, among which include the following:
Impaired Intelligent Quotient (IQ)
Intelligent Quotient is a numerical score obtained from standardized tests designed to assess various aspects of cognition, including verbal comprehension, working memory, perceptual reasoning and processing speed.
Consistent indulgence in examination malpractice develops a very low IQ; it becomes very difficult to reason, solve problems or even handle logic personally. This is a negative effect on the general functionality of the brain.
Gradual loss of memory (Dementia)
Brain cells are not muscle fibers, nevertheless they also operate under the same general principle: Use it, or lose it! When the brain cell is not used in cognitive thinking (but rather fixed on cheating/malpractice), it doesn’t communicate with other cells next door, it eventually loses it’s functionality; it fails to retain any valuable academic work.
Inferiority Complex
Consistent involvement in examination malpractice eventually develops low self-esteem, lack of boldness and stage fright; you seldom stand tall to address a crowd. Low self-esteem disrupts the normal function of the brain.
In addition to the aforementioned, examination malpractice has other adverse effects such as incompetence, laziness, loss of integrity, etc. These are relative to the individual, the institution as well as the society at large.
The choice is solely yours to make; support (under-use) the brain, or explore (engage) it.
You could be gearing up to becoming a major figure in your field of endeavour, an advocate or better still an enthusiast of education and/or moral standards. Such a great ambition, someday we will delight in learning from your success story and get spurred never to leave our dreams behind. But then, what would be the centre-point of your story? Would you also tell the younger generation(s) how you cheated your way through school to attain the most sought-after level of influence?
I come in peace,
@Dongrafixx, 30/10/2024