If there’s one memory from secondary school that still stings—one that really pained me—it would be the fact that I never got to experience my graduation.
I still remember how excited we all were in my final year. My mates and I had already started dreaming about the graduation week—how we’d wear our suits and ties, looking sharp and proud, how we’d finally walk up to collect our certificates, take pictures, and dance our hearts out at the final year party. We talked about it so much, planned outfits, imagined the music, and even joked about who would cry during the ceremony. It was supposed to be the highlight of our secondary school journey—a moment to celebrate everything we had been through for six long years.
But then, just like that, it was all snatched away.
We were informed that we wouldn’t be allowed to have any graduation ceremony. No dinner, no party, no awards, no pictures—nothing. The excuse they gave us? That we had caused too much “havoc” in school and didn’t deserve a proper send-off.
To this day, I still don’t believe that was the real reason. Sure, we weren’t saints, but which set hasn’t had their moments? I genuinely feel like it had more to do with the fact that our academic calendar had been affected by COVID. We spent a longer time writing our final exams, and everything was just disorganized. Maybe the school felt too overwhelmed to organize anything.
But it hurt. It hurt a lot.
I remember finishing my last paper, stepping out of the exam hall, and just feeling empty. No excitement, no fanfare, no feeling of, “Wow, this chapter is over.” Just silence. I didn’t even wait around or call my mum to come pick me up. I quietly packed my things and left on my own. That was it.
There was no chance to take a last walk through the school with my friends. No class picture. No final group hugs. No “goodbye” moments with the people I had grown up with for over six years. It felt like our journey ended with a full stop no one saw coming.
And anytime I think about it—even now—I still feel bad. I still feel robbed. Like a beautiful ending was written for us, but the page got torn out before we could actually read it.
I know life goes on, and yes, i have experienced better things since then, but that missing piece still gets to me. That was our moment. And we never got it.
To be honest, I’m still pissed at the school. I can’t lie.
Some memories do fade with time, but this one just lingers.