School life will remain one of those unforgettable memories of my life, both for the fun of it, the tough decisions at some point, and the challenges I encountered.
Looking back as an alumnus, I can tell for free that my survival strategies weren't a bed of roses, but what kept me going was that I was focused on my finish line. I kept running without allowing the financial interferences to stop me on the way. Even when I felt exhausted, I didn't quit but moved with all the ideas I knew to survive it until I finally did.
So yeah, for some students, the season also was filled with financial challenges, but the determined ones will always find means of survival.
In those days, one of my survival means was striving to adapt to any situation I found myself in at school, and another was being disciplined and creative. Once I see a small light of opportunity to make money, I utilize it immediately.
For instance, when I discovered that some lecturers usually do impromptu quizzes, I went and bought full scalp papers and carried them to lectures. Once impromptu quizzes came up, the whole student body surrounded me in purchase of their full scalp papers. It was a soft way of earning extra cash to sustain me in school.
Again, my course of study requires practicals every now and then, so I had a deal with a man who deals with dental materials in the market; he released so much quantity for me, and while I sell to my classmates for their practicals, I return the capital and pocket my profit. What did I not do? I also did extra classes for those in 100-level.
As a lady also, I was so disciplined to the point that I didn't allow fashion to cloud my mind because I know where I was coming from. The little I had, I made sure to keep those clothes neat and well ironed, looking smart still, while focusing on my basic needs as a student.
All these were how I navigated the financial challenges I faced in school in those days, and today those lessons still guide me in life and in my family. I have learned to manage the little available until I pull through some difficult phases of my life that come and go.
Please note: All images were taken from canva app .