Ije Ulo Akwukwo - The Journey of School

School is a necessity that we all need at one point in life or the other. Some of us do not go beyond learning to read and write; others yet get through high school and pick up a life skill; some make it all the way to varsity for one degree. Hmm, there are yet those who study like the classrooms were made for them - multiple degrees across various fields at the highest levels attainable. Why? Haa haa haa.

So join me as I take a journey through schooling. Ije Ulo Akwukwo.

I'm at that point of my life where I know that going to school goes well beyond getting an education or certification, the truth is that you can get an education almost anywhere these days. I see the networking as one of the major necessities of going to school at whatever level.

If you are like me and you were blessed to go to an amazing high school, then you know that you have friends that will remain with you for a lifetime. Friends around who you cannot have any airs because they knew you when you were all pimple faced, possibly still peeing on the bed in boarding school. Those days when your best test results looked something like 39.5% otherwise known in my days as "Let my people go". Haa haa haa.

On the other hand you may be better than I am and possibly have friends from primary school who by now have now turned to family, possibly in-laws and business partners.

The rest of us are not so lucky and can only name friendships that date back only 5 years or even less. The point is - beyond getting an education and a certificate you may never use by the way, going to school blesses us with such amazing networks.

Another interesting thing about school is the exposure you get. I know that reading books opens us up to a wider world through our imagination. However, I daresay that the experiences we gain from our friends and colleagues at school gives us an even wider exposure. You meet people from different walks of life and share life stories. You may never live out those experiences in your lifetime but you will always have the knowledge gained from other people you went to school with.

There is another amazing part of school - the teachers. We recently celebrated Teachers' Day; as an educator you are blessed with great experiences too. Parents who eventually become lifetime friends. Parents who look for opportunities to return favors because you imparted knowledge to their children in such an amazing way. There is also that fulfilment of meeting a child you taught, many moons after, when they are married and are able to attribute part of their success to being taught by you. It has been said that a teacher's reward is in heaven but there are perks and rewards of being a teacher that you still get here on earth. Trust me!

Schooling has no age restriction. Once you can get past the need to cling to the handrail of the stairs for support as you climb up to class (while your younger class mates take the stairs two at a time..... Heh heh heh) - get past this and you're sure to have an amazing schooling experience. Forget the age restrictions that society has placed, be you and do you and if being you means going back to school with your grey hair then by all means please do so. Perhaps I am psyching myself now. See wahala o.

The sad reality though is that affordability can be a challenge for many of us, however remember the saying "where there is a will there is a way". I believe that if we trust God for something bad enough, then by faith we most and generally get what we pray for. Do not give up on that dream of going back to school, many ahead of you have done it and many after you will yet do it.

As many schools resume physical activity this week, with the easing of lockdown restrictions, it brings such relief to many. First to parents who became overnight teachers to their kids, then to students who had missed seeing their friends all these months of lockdown. This past week has also been an interesting one for me as it marks 34 years of getting into high school. My friends and I had such a lovely time going down memory lane and just relieving those beautiful years when we first met one another.

So guys, as I wrap up for this week, I would say - Go back to school. Pick up your proverbial slate and chalk and get back to class. There is a classroom for everyone; you may not be learning to read and write but you could be learning to sew. Perhaps it's a Master's degree that has been tugging at your heart or venturing into an entirely new field like going to Bible school. Give it your best shot. School is a great place to be and build your network.

If you're a teacher, I greet you HAPPY TEACHER'S DAY (everyday should be teacher's day by the way). If you're a student, then please stay safe as you get back into your physical classrooms. If you're a parent then congratulations, you've graduated with honors in your teaching degree. Lol

Back to school we go. Enjoy the experience - do not just pass through school; allow the school to pass through you.

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Ije.....Journey

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