IT CAME TRUE

 

Getting a Master’s degree is not news. Graduating with a distinction is not news, either. However, the story around everyone’s achievement is peculiar. This journey was undertaken at a critical period of my life, and its success makes a lot of things all the more significant. While I cannot deny that it took resilience and determination to have seen this through, the fact is that I am a woman who has been greatly helped.

I thought I’d have a lot to write about on my graduation day. Ironically, all the words that had been on my mind disappeared. I kept trying to rein in the nervousness in my tummy that morning because I am scared of excitement. I was afraid that I’d be too drained with the flurry that would ensue once we left the convocation auditorium. I prayed I wouldn’t get emotional at any point in the ceremony and smear my makeup (yes, I have some vain nerves in me too).

My godfather had insisted on the choice of university for many reasons I later discovered. Apart from the fact that I was guaranteed completion of the course within the stipulated period as there’d be no stories of strikes, he assured me that the school’s learning environment was serene enough to help my mind flourish and engage as deeply as possible. He was right.

On the other hand, the school has an encompassing curriculum which also makes the study schedule very intense. I was so stretched that my Saturdays were spent in the library while my Sunday evenings were used for revising previous classes and putting finishing touches to assignments and presentations. Looking back at the experience now, I’m grateful I devoted all that time to achieve academic excellence.

I have mentioned in a previous post, a certain presentation on “Gratitude” that won me an applause and one of my best assessment scores. Many more were to come. I learned to deliver speeches better and to maintain my composure even while receiving feedback. I also had a striking experience where I failed my first test in a course and finally made the best result in the same course at the end of the semester. Tell me about growth and improvement!

The future still lies ahead and the reward for this feat is to aspire to even greater heights and to conquer more grounds. For now, Chisimchere Akunna Chukwu just got conferred an MSc. in Media and Communication from Pan-Atlantic University and here are a few pictures for you to have a glimpse into how it went. . .

A holler at y’all before the ceremony commences

 

For the love of the camera and the naughty man beside me.

Just a few of the wonderful lecturers who believed in me and nudged me on

Here’s the senior colleague who ensured I didn’t lose sight of having excellent grades

The women I conquered with, in the place of prayer and in the place of laughter

Just an extra dose of me   *wink*

 

Thank you to everyone who stood by me and ensured I did not give up when I was close to doing so.

To more victories!