Writing and passing your final exams as important as it is, does not signal the end of your struggles in the university. This is the truth faced by my friend, Chuks and I shortly after graduating from the university.
The clearance process which qualifies you to obtain your statement of result and your certificate is a very tedious one and littered with subjectivity.
"In order to be fast and minimize mistakes, let us do this clearance together", I suggested to Chuks.
"That's alright, I was about suggesting same to you now", Chuks responded.
I was happy that we were thinking alike and that gave me hope.
"When are we going to start?" Chuks asked me.
"Let's start on Monday next week", I suggested.
"Did you forget about the sit at home order?" Chuks queried, reminding me that Monday's were days of restricted movement in the south east and as such, serious activities were not allowed.
"That's true bro, let's go on tuesday then", I corrected myself.
Tuesday morning quickly came and I got a call from Chuks letting me know that he was ready and waiting for me at the bus stop.
"Please give me a few minutes, I will be there shortly", I pleaded.
"No problem, just hurry up", Chuks replied calmly. He has always been a gentleman, rarely got angry and always patient.
Just as I wore my shoe, I remembered that I swore not to wear that shoe as a doctor because I wore it for the past three years of my undergraduate days and that after my last exam I walked so much that the shoe spoilt and was very dirty which prompted the swearing.
I was not prepared to go back on my words and that means I needed to change to a more casual cloth because I could be on corporate without a shoe.
I hurriedly changed to a casual wear and dashed to the bus stop so as not to delay Chuks so much. He was pleased to see me at last.
"I thought you will come out on makeup like a woman", he joked. "What took you so long and why are you on casual?" He asked curiously.
"Bro, does it matter, we are no longer students. They can't dictate our dressing any longer" I said.
"That's true but some of these men have a negative prejudice towards casual wears and will find ways to frustrate you. That's why I wore my corporate " Chuks explained.
"Anyway, I wanted to come in my corporate wear but my shoe is not in good condition. As a matter of fact, I swore not to wear it after my final exams, I would buy a new one soon". I tried to make him see my reason.
"I hope they don't disturb you ", Chuks responded, visibly eager to abandon the discussion.
On getting to the student affairs department, there was a long queue and we had to wait for almost an hour before it got to our turn.
"Who are you?" The attendant screamed while looking at me.
He was a middle aged man that seemed frustrated with his pay, with a faded blue shirt that was twice his size.
"I am a recent graduate of Medicine and surgery sir, I came to do my clearance", I explained calmly, trying not to show my disapproval for his question while hoping that "medicine and surgery" would save me some stress.
"So you are a doctor and you wore casual clothes to an official setting", he said with visible disgust. "Is that what you learnt after all your years in this school".
"Sir, I am not badly dressed, just that my corporate shirt did not dry", I lied.
"Young man", I will not attend to you dressed like this. Next person!" He screamed.
Chuks was coming in behind me, but there was nothing he could do for me.
I quickly rushed out hoping to go back and change to the corporate but there was no bus at the bus stop and after waiting for sometime a tricycle (keke) came along. It was going to be more expensive but I had no choice given the circumstances but to take the tricycle.
On getting back, I met an even longer queue than the one I met initially. At this point I was tired but believed the man would attend to me immediately since he knew he was the one that sent me away the first time.
"Who are you?" He screamed immediately I entered the office. His question was becoming annoying but I could not display my anger yet.
"Sir, I was in your office few minutes ago, you said I should go and change to corporate. I have done that now". I explained frantically.
"So? Mr man go and join the queue. I don't know the calibre of doctors being trained in Nigeria these days" he shouted as venomously as he could.
As I turned to leave his office, a nail in the door frame hooked my shirt and it tore. This was the last straw that broke the camels back. I decided to suspend the clearance until a later date when hopefully, luck will be on my side.
"What a day?" I murmured to myself as I walked back home."It never rains but it pours".
As I walked out I saw Chuks, he was photocopying some documents.
"How far bro? Are you almost done?" I asked.
"Almost done? Bro, we have not even started" he exclaimed. "You need to take it seriously o, this clearance is draining, time consuming and financially incapacitating" Chuks announced. "The earlier the better".
That afternoon, I brought out my dirty Shoes and took it to the cobbler to repair and polish. I was determined to finish the clearance even if it meant wearing the shoes I so much detested.
Image is mine
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Such a relatable story!
The struggles during clearance and the little obstacles along the way ehnn.
It truly shows the challenges we face even after graduation.
Great one
Thanks bro, it's easy to endure because you have already seen the light at the end of the tunnel.
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STOPThank you
It really shows how adulting comes with its own set of challenges, and it's inspiring to see your determination to push through
Indeed, unexpected challenges abound.
Thank you
It is not easy being an adult with responsibilities
Not easy at all, we just keep trying.
Arghhh
Bank queues can be very frustrating and you even met a longer queue than before.
If I were the one, I can start to cry. And why did you lie that your corporate dress didn’t dry😅😅😅😅
Just when you think some days can't get worse, it just gets worse than worse.
Seriously 😞