Thread by @BeasieKelly, I remember a time I thought I was going to have a [...]

I remember a time I thought I was going to have a carryover and graduate later than my mates.

It was final year - one of those GEG courses. The lecturer had told us what would come out & what we should focus on for the (unusually early morning & #39;decide it all& #39;) test. In summary, he gave us the AOC, told us the test would weigh a lot & I think the time for the test was 7am.

But trust me, I didn& #39;t focus as much as I should have. I got distracted. I read outside the AOC. I saw more interesting topics and discussions on different topics online. I was engrossed.

The plan was to go through those interesting topics and online discussions with students in other countries, then get back to the AOC. I slept off.

I over slept, there was no time to go through the AOC and I barely made it in time for the early morning test. I was so grumpy and filled with anxiety.

I didn& #39;t take much with me. I know I was feeling so light that day. Not sure I took a calculator. My head felt empty. I couldn& #39;t remember much of anything!

Anyway, we were split into different groups and we sat in different lecture theaters for the exam. We could choose our seats.
For a & #39;back-bencher& #39;, I sat on the first row because I did not know anything.

Digression: Strange? I know. I liked sitting at the back for exams. It usually felt like there was no pressure of staring eyes. Plus, I was sorta used to it in secondary school. There was no noise, no distraction, just you, your thoughts ...and your paper

Back to the story: So, I sat and watched as people tried to get one or two things into their brains just before the test. I knew I was blank and already gave up

Until the guy sitting beside asked me the formula for something and I gave it to him. He was like "Yes, you& #39;re right! I remember. Thanks!" I smiled and thought to myself "Maybe there& #39;s hope

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😃" title="Smiling face with open mouth" aria-label="Emoji: Smiling face with open mouth">"

The test questions were then distributed along with the answer booklet. It was time!
I glanced through the questions and then I saw a question that had to do with the formula the guy had asked me. I decided to work on that question first, but, NOTHING.

I couldn& #39;t remember the formula I had just given the guy before the test. I was panicking. I starred hard. "Remember, remember". Nothing. So much for hope.

At least, there were some objective questions. Yay! I could guess and probably get maybe 2.

I went back to the theory questions and finally recognized one question. (Thank you God!) I started solving and felt so confident till I asked for 3 extra sheets to solve that question because I forgot 4×2 ...or was it 4×4?

Well, it was a simple math calculation and I forgot. I collected extra sheets to count the numbers - to convert multiplication to addition - to count backwards - to count like I was using an abacus. I COULDN& #39;T COUNT. I didn& #39;t know basic maths anymore.

I knew that to the people in the same theater as me, I must have been looking like & #39;hot cake& #39; especially with the extra sheets I collected when they already gave us a bulky answer booklet.

But I was crumbling. I didn& #39;t know anything. I tried solving other questions but I didn& #39;t even know where to start from. I didn& #39;t understand the questions.

I had only the objectives and the question that I tried solving 4×2. TIME WAS UP. I submitted all my sheets. Laughed internally and disappeared when people gathered to discuss how & #39;easy& #39; the test was and how the lecturer did keep to the AOC.

Whew! I was away from school now. I started practicing how to tell my parents that I& #39;m not going to graduate till the next year. "You know I like being a rebel and different from my siblings, I decided to try out something new..". No that& #39;s not it.

I broke down in tears. I didn& #39;t plan this. I didn& #39;t plan to not pass. I read.. I tried to read. "Oh God, help me. I know I didn& #39;t focus on the right things and I totally ignored You. I know I didn& #39;t ask You. But please, let me just find favour".

My friends (& #39;efikos& #39; and & #39;efiwes& #39;) reached out. They were so happy. The man kept to his word and we had agreed to practice and work on the AOC (...only if they knew).

I broke down again. "Guys, I& #39;m sorry. I& #39;m failing this course".
Apparently, this wasn& #39;t the first time I had something like this.
"I& #39;m serious. I was blank."
Well, we still have the exam, so there& #39;s hope.

Now, if the lecturer was true to his word, that test meant almost everything from what I could remember. It was a long test with so many questions. What could come out for the exam? THE SAME THING.
Did this lecturer just say it would be "the same thing?"

Well, since he kept to his word the first time, he would again.
Beasie Kelly focus on the AOC.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤡" title="Clown face" aria-label="Emoji: Clown face">

Well, I focused on the AOC and other things.

Did he keep to his word?
Not entirely.

Did I panic?
No, I read outside the AOC and syllabus. I had more time to understand and grasp certain concepts. I was way more relaxed.

Was I as upset as other students that he didn& #39;t entirely keep to his word?
No, it worked in my favour. I still didn& #39;t know the answers to some of the questions that came from the AOC

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤡" title="Clown face" aria-label="Emoji: Clown face">, but I could focus on the other questions.
It looked like a win-win for all.

Then the results came out.
My friends: "Everytime you cry and act so dramatic, you get a distinction".
It was a really good distinction. I was shocked (probably still am) and not sure how the exam made up for it all.

1. Panic, Anxiety can drive you crazy. Sometimes, we can& #39;t control it. Some need drugs for it. In my case, I didn& #39;t use drugs.
But one practice that has worked for me is meditating.

2. Sometimes, you& #39;d want to throw in the towel. Your friends/support group play a part in keeping you motivated and you also play a part in keeping them motivated.

3. Have some friends that share more "drive" than you.

4 Whatever other lesson you get from this, please share.
This is one memory that is still fresh in my head.

P.S. I know it was just a test and was probably being overly dramatic

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🙄" title="Face with rolling eyes" aria-label="Emoji: Face with rolling eyes"> I mean, there was attendance and the test could have weighed lesser than I thought.

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