In 1991, I wrote the MSG Common Entrance examination to get into JSS1. I didn’t pass (abi I failed). Then I got admitted into GCM. Not deterred, I attempted the MSG late entrance to get into JSS2, but I failed again. I tried again in JSS3 and your guess is as good as mine – I failed. Finally, I passed at the 4th attempt and got admitted into SS1.
But what was my motivation for trying over and over?
Firstly, MSG was (and still is) the best school that many parents wanted their children to attend.
Secondly, while in GCM – the discipline at that time was beyond description. There were days the seniors (the SS3) would just call us out for a general beating – where they flog you without any reason. In fact, there was a time a friend of mine was even flogged with the flat side of a machete.
I also recall how after school we used to escape as if it was a jailbreak. If you were unlucky and the caught you, they will take you to the fields to cut the grasses. I remember how I would be doing hard labour and would see my friends from MSG strolling past me like ajebo. I could see how free they were. So, the intention to leave GCM at all cost was borne out of the desire to gain ‘freedom’.
I guess the height of it for me was when we progressed to SS1. The SS3 students were graduating and handing over power to the SS2 students. When this happens, the SS2 become power drunk, and the first people they pounce on are the SS1 students. My guess is that they are usually angry that the SS1 students begin to wear trousers like them.
This was the last lap for me. Because if I failed at the late entrance again, I wouldn’t be motivated to push further because if I survived the SS1 beating, I would have overcome my fears and there wouldn’t be any need to leave again. So, I had to do my best to pass the MSG late entrance into SS1. Lo and behold, I passed. That’s how I also started walking free. I would pass through GCM and wave my friends who were in the fields doing their usual chores.
For me, I continued to push because:
- I wanted to attend one of the best schools
- I was afraid of the excessive beating at GCM
- I had a private maths tutor and that gave me the confidence. Maths became my favourite subject afterwards.
I am just sharing this to encourage someone who is thinking about quitting. I know that there is a thin line between ‘knowing when to quit’ and ‘when to continue pushing’. But I have come to realise that if you want something so badly as if your life depended on it, you would not take ‘NO’ for an answer. At the same time, I am not saying you should continue flogging a dead horse.
Please share something you tried repeatedly and finally succeeded to cheer someone that might be thinking of quitting after one or two trials.