Pages of determination
In the scorching afternoon sun, my friends and I strolled back from an intense examination, our banter echoing through the air. Sweat clinging to our foreheads, we discussed the next day’s exam - Computer Science 110.
"Piece of cake," I declared nonchalantly, puffing out my chest. "Computers are my middle name. Been messing with them since I was a baby.”
“Seriously? You haven't even attended a single lecture.” Ruth arched an eyebrow, questioning my audacity.
“Introduction to computers?” I scoffed, “Child’s play”
“Computer guru! The grandson of Bill Gates himself, don't worry you will be humbled in the exam hall tomorrow,” Collins chimed in with a sardonic smirk.
Unfazed, I dismissed their doubts, my confidence unwavering. I had attended the first class and decided it would be unnecessary to attend the rest. I looked forward to triumphantly leaving the exam hall the next day with a big smile on my face, proving my friends wrong.
“Have you seen the examination questions from previous years?” Gift interrupted my daydreaming.
“No,” I replied.
“Ok, I will give them to when we get home so you can go through them and test yourself.”
Later that day, I went to Gift's room to get the past questions and reality slapped me across the face. He handed me a bunch of past exam papers, their pages filled with cryptic questions. My heart plummeted as I stared at the mostly unfamiliar questions, unable to decipher most of them.
Gift's booming laughter echoed in my ears. "Ah, yes, that's the look I was hoping for! Now, go forth and cram, young padawan or you will be having the same looks in the exam hall tomorrow”
Panic clawed at my heart as I thought about my next move. My eyes darted to the recommended book for the course perched on Gift’s shelf. I hadn’t even considered buying it, blinded by my own arrogance.
“Gift, any chance I could...well, borrow your copy of that book?” I stammered.
“Definitely not, I'm using it to study but you can ask Coker, he did the course last year”
I slinked to Coker’s door and knocked rapidly, asking for his copy of the book. He wordlessly handed me his well-worn copy, his eyes holding a hint of pity.
Back in my room, the book felt like a lead weight in my hands. I contemplated the daunting task ahead and decided to read outside my room to avoid the tempting distraction of my bed.
As I settled on the balcony, with earbuds in and a bottle of water nearby, the cool evening breeze set the perfect study atmosphere. I ditched the “studying” pretense and opted for a reading spree. Pages blurred as I raced through chapters, fueled by adrenaline and desperation
Although the initial chapters were dull, my pace quickened, and I began to enjoy the book. By 3 AM, I had conquered the beast, my brain overflowing with newfound knowledge. Exhaustion claimed me as I stumbled to bed, sleep a welcome friend.
The next morning, Gift’s concerned chuckles did little to soothe my already frayed nerves. “You sure about this exam? You can always retake the course next year, no pressure.
“That's bull,” I declared, “Even if I don’t study for this, I won’t fail.”
The exam hall was full of tension. Pens scratched furiously, eyebrows furrowed in concentration. But as I scanned the questions, a wave of calm washed over me and I turned to Gift, giving him a thumbs-up
Thirty minutes later, I emerged from the hall, a triumphant grin plastered on my face. Gift, still hunched over his paper, looked up with disbelief. "Done already?”
I simply gave him a nod, basking in the satisfaction of a battle hard-won. I already knew I would get an A and I confidently announced it to anyone who cared to listen
A few weeks later the results confirmed my prophecy and affirmed my confidence - an A. With pride, I declared to my friends “Oh ye of little faith, gaze upon my remarkable A and shudder.” As they stared at their grades, I walked away, the computer guru vindicated.
Thanks for reading
Connect with me on:
Twitter: @kushyzeena
Readcash: @kushyzee
Edited with Canva
Hmmm! You must either have performed magic in the examination hall or you have a photographic brain because how else can you explain finishing before those that attended lectures and even bought the recommended books. People like you lead those who follow astray because they might not be as smart as you are.
I see you finally finished the piece. I enjoyed reading it.
😂 I actually pick up computer concepts very quickly and easily, so it wasn't difficult for me to finish the entire book in one night and still dominate the exam 😁 thanks for stopping by
You are welcome
Thank goodness Gift gave you a glimpse of what to expect the next day and your determination to excel as well as to learn paid off.
I chuckled when Gift uttered this statement:
You have well-meaning friends. A beautiful piece ✨
I'm very lucky that he cared enough to tell me about the questions from previous years, I would have gone to the exam hall under the illusion that I had all the needed knowledge, he is a great friend indeed. Thanks for stopping by
The pleasure is mine.
Omo!
I know this kinda of thing.
I once had this experience and it's always smooth. Battling with the subject you know, even if it's overnight is much simpler compared to the other ones
Exactly, it so much easier to read a course or subject you love and to easily pass the exam
Yeah.
Always 💯💯
Of course, readers are happy you passed with flying colors. However, there resides in the heart of the reader also the vague hope that your last minute efforts will fail. You describe your moments of panic well. You also use dialog well in this piece. However, readers are not entirely sure that rewarding such confidence, which borders on arrogance, is something we want to see.
Thank you for sharing this quite vivid experience with us, @kushyzee
I did learn my lesson after that incident and prepared properly for a similar course the following year. 😊 Thanks for your regular feedback