Guys, I have been so busy for about 3 weeks now. Last week, I travelled to an entirely different state in Nigeria. This week was spent going to and fro my dad’s house and finally settling at home to read for my two final exam papers. I’m pretty excited about this last part because my over-one-month-long (5 weeks) examination period will finally come to an end on Friday – tomorrow.
Let me tell you that I have been mentally done with exams for a while now. I am not used to a long-ass exam period like this. Typically, most of my school exams have lasted 2 weeks max. I had a lot planned this month. But, between studying, working on my thesis, travelling, going home (my dad’s) a number of times, and the Nigerian factorssss (light, traffic, etc) that renders one completely unproductive for days on end, my plans will now take effect in June. To be honest, I am tempted to say that “I have been lazy”, but that would be a lie. The habit of blaming myself in situations that I literally can’t help needs to stop. Thus, I am praising myself by saying, “Olamide, you have tried”.
However, I still don’t like that I have missed a few days of this series. That’s not the pact I made with you and myself. I will be updating them after my last paper tomorrow and over the weekend. Of course, I will do this with full accountability; noting the dates the articles were written. Look forward to them!
Today’s piece
Let me tell you something! It’s around 4:50 pm here. It’s cloudy outside, so my room is pretty dark. I have a torchlight (a “portable rechargeable LED hand lamp” – that’s what they wrote on the back of the light). This is great since there is no light (electricity)… except the torchlight has been malfunctioning for some days now. By accident, I discovered that the light would come on if it hits a solid surface (it fell to the floor on one of its malfunctioning sprees). So, I have been using that trick; hit it on a solid surface if the light does not come on. I just tried that now and the entire process just cracked me up ???… I am probably causing more damage. Anyway, I will get a new one soon.
Today, I finished my final psychology examination! If you have been following this series, I mentioned that I took three undergrad psychology courses. I absolutely loved today’s exam. I think I did well. To be honest, I was quite nervous.
Do you know the thing about exams? They are my least favourite part of academia. I love school and all, but exams just rub me off the wrong way. The fact that they literally take up 70% of your grade is also something I don’t agree with. Let me explain.
In a semester, I take about 7 courses. All through the semester, I am graded for attendance, presentations, group assignments, class test, and long essays. This applies to all courses. The grades for most of these are determined by my mastery of various topics in every course. I am also judged by how much time and effort I put into research for my group assignments and long essays. So, I give my all for these demands across the 7 courses. Sometimes, I spend no less than 2 to 3 weeks on one assignment, jumping immediately to the next and the next and the next. Of course, I learn as I go, and that’s beautiful.
However, can you believe that months’ worth of effort, time, and research, not excluding the other items I listed above are all collectively worth 30%? The exam that I am given only 2 to 3 hours to write now takes a whopping 70%.
To be candid, I would not call this fair. I am of the opinion that this strategy should be revised across schools in Nigeria. Your exams that last 2 to 3 hours shouldn’t be worth more than your hours, weeks, and months of time, effort, and research.
What do you think?
These are 500 words (or more ?)! Talk to you tomorrow!