DEAR WAEC CANDIDATE- LESSON 3 BY ARMSTRONG BALA FRIDAY

We often allow events define us, most times because we have little or no understanding of who we are.

Who we are is not the outcome or result that the influence of our environment, culture and customs produce.

A true definition of who we are is what we ACCEPT or REJECT, if you accept failure, then you're a failure, if you accept victory, then you're a Victor.

The greatest monster that made me cry was WAEC, I wrote for the first time in the year 2001 along side with NECO, I failed woefully. 2002, 2003, I registered for another internal WAEC, I failed again with many Passes and F's, I went on to write External WAEC in 2004.

I failed still in 2005, I wrote Internal WAEC in a Secondary School and failed too, In the school where I wrote the exams this time, a 'Miracle Center' as they call it. I was asked to pay some money for them to arrange my package so I can pass all the papers. 

I told them I don't cheat to pass exams, it was against my principles. Funny enough, the Principal of the said school was the chief coordinator of examination malpractice, what a bad system!!

When the Principal heard what I said, he took note of me and said, he will deal with me and I must pay the money or else I won't write the remaining two papers, I consented 'no problem' and he left.

You can imagine, that was the principal of a school!

2006, I wrote another External WAEC, I checked my result hoping it would be the last, yet some papers were withheld and others were fails and passes.

It wasn't a palatable experience

In the year 2006, I wrote another External WAEC, but still couldn't get all the papers.
At that time, I decided to go to the Polytechnic to study Architecture with the few credits I had.

I obtained a National Certificate in Architecture after 3 years of study, that was between 2006 and 2009.

I wanted to go to the university by all means, in 2009, I started reading, attending extra moral classes, watching tutorials trapped in VCDs, studying Past Questions and answers to deal with WAEC, still external though.

When the result came out, I was so curious to see it, my heart was beating so fast that the frequency if converted to any form of energy, could help pump a 5000 Liters GP tank to the brim.

I could have gained victory except for a pass in Mathematics. Damm it! I shouted, what a heck!!

In 2010, I still wrote another External WAEC, this was the 8th time!! I knew deep down in my heart that it will be the very last on the fight to overcoming WAEC.

Guess what?

When I checked, it was Credits and Distinctions with a pass in a subject that wasn't required for me to be admitted into the University to study my course.

The path to success requires PATIENCE, TENACITY, RESILIENCE and DETERMINATION.

I quickly applied to a University of my choice but was denied admission in 2011.
I didn't give up as usual, I applied again and to the glory of God, I was offered a direct entry admission to study Architecture from 200 Level.

Lastly, I ended up with a 2:1( Second Class Upper Division as the 5th best Student in my Entire Department) in 2016.

      Armstrong at his convocation ceremony 

Today, I am a freelance Architect and Currently consulting for a Foreign Company as a Contract staff.

I am building my career gradually.
NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS, DELAY DOES NOT MEAN DENIAL.

If it must be, it is up to you.

Written by: Armstrong Bala Friday

             Armstrong Bala Friday on site

'Dear WAEC candidate series was to end today but I have goodnews for you. I will post another lesson for you here tomorrow. Anything to help you succeed. 

Armstrong's story is inspiring, what do you think?

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