Ever since I gained admission into this polytechnic, it’s been one issue after another. First, it was the previous HOD at that time; later, about three lecturers were on my neck. I dress very decently to school; in fact, I don’t even relate with my coursemates like that. When I’m done with lectures, I go home straight. I’m a reserved and antisocial person, and it’s because I don’t want attention on me. So I try not to be everywhere. I’m a single mom, and I made it known because they wouldn’t stop. I even made up stories that I was married. In 2021, I rounded up my ND program. I was diagnosed with appendicitis. I got to know around May 2021, but I was writing my final year exam and didn’t want issues with my result. I couldn’t commence with the surgery but was placed on medications to suppress the pain. I started working on my school project in December, and just when I was about to defend, it got worse, and I had to go ahead with the surgery because it had become more serious.
I carried my HOD along when I was diagnosed; I sent him the result, and even when I had the surgery, because I knew I wouldn’t be able to meet up with my peers for the defense as it was two days after the appendectomy. He told me to come to school when I felt much better, which I did. He instructed me to reach out to one of the directors. I did as he instructed, met with the director, and he asked me questions regarding the project. He told me I could go. Months later, the result was out, and I got to know I carried a course and the project. I wasn’t attending the lecturer’s class (he sent me out of the class one time due to reasons best known to him), so I get anxious and tense when I’m in his class. He’s a very strict lecturer, so he didn’t score me anything because of attendance. I met with the HOD, and he told me he was going to sort that out, but I should go meet the other lecturer whose course I failed. I did, but it was to no avail.
I ended up paying about N100k to rewrite the course. I only registered the other course because my HOD said he was going to sort it out; I never thought I was supposed to register the project alongside the course. The plan was to enroll for HND this session, but the result came out, and I carried the project again. I reached out to the department, but it’s been one story after another. It’s like they don’t want to help, or there’s no solution. I was told it’s been two years, so my studentship has been canceled and I’ll need to start afresh. I agree I messed up by not registering the project, but it was because he said he was going to help me. I went through hell even before I started that project. I’ve been going to school back and forth over the last 3-4 months, but they’re not responsive, like they’re willingly puni$hing me. I’m tired. I’ve prayed and cried. Growing up, we weren’t financially stable, but I really wanted to go to school. I had dreams. I’m not dull; I study really hard.
I worked for about 5-6 years to be able to further my education. Getting to school, I had two sources of income. I have a 3-year-old to fend for. I’m the first child, and you all know how much responsibility that is. I send money to my parents and younger siblings, and to be honest, it’s not really easy. I didn’t come this far to let it all waste like that—the resources, money, time, and sleepless nights. My mum has been on my neck for a while, asking me if I’m the first person to go to school and why I’m not done yet. I can’t tell her what’s going on because she might not understand. I really wanted to scale through. I don’t know if this is where me wanting to be moral landed me. I don’t know because it seems like they willingly puni$hed me. I wasn’t the only one who didn’t defend, but I was the only one who wasn’t scored. I need this certificate. I have plans for myself. They’re saying I might need to start afresh. How? Why me? I’ve been living life diligently. I live a very low-key life.
I hustle because I don’t have a support system. It’s been God. Now, I don’t know what to do. Do I start afresh? Maybe try a university? Do I just give up? Is it too late? My plan was to round up HND, serve, get a job, and move in with my kid in a comfortable environment. Now I feel like a failure, like maybe I should have succumbed, but I’d always vowed never to have a s£xual relationship with anybody at my place of study. I really wanted to further my education. Someone suggested I use the money to start a business, but I’ve always been a career person. I worked as a teacher for two years and worked in two different offices as a front desk officer before I gained admission. I don’t know the next step to take. Please, your opinion matters too. Maybe people who are much more experienced can put me in the right way to go because I don’t know what to do anymore. I don’t want to regret my decision. I’m trying to be cautious with my decisions. Thank you for your time.
Also Read: My Roommate’s Friend Has No Boundaries