Do you feel older or younger for your age?
For me the answer is quite straightforward. I believe I appear younger. Although I am already 17 and in my second year at University, people continue to regard me as if I should still be in junior secondary school.
To be honest I don't hold them responsible. Sometimes I look at myself in the mirror and I also ask myself questions.
I'm not short in a dramatic kinda way. I'm just small, in build and my face.
Being 17 in 200 level already surprises a lot of people. When I tell them, they use that surprised face, that look that's trying to figure out whether or not I'm lying. And they would start looking at me from head to toe, as a confirmation of some sort.
One moment I would never forget was when a lecturer called me, in front of the whole class and asked, "Are you supposed to be in this class?"
The entire class began laughing. Although it was awkward I didn’t truly mind since I’m already used to it.
He asked me some couple of things and ended with, "Wow, you're so small." Yep I've been told that like a million times
My sister even teased that I ought to have my ID card with me so lecturers would stop questioning me.
Sometimes I wish I looked a little older, not too much because I don't want to look like someone's aunt. But at least old enough so people would stop mistaking me for a secondary school student, and taller even.
However life gave me a small physique along with a positive spirit that refuses to fade away.
The thing about looking young is that people tend to underestimate you.
I always tell myself that my size is not something to feel ashamed of. People grow differently. Some appear older than they are and some appear younger. Some appear exactly their age. I simply fall into the 'younger-looking' group.
My dad constantly reminds me not to view my size as a disadvantage; he would offer me encouraging words.
Even though I look young for my age I feel older outside. University has that effect, on someone.
The assignments, early morning classes and the stress of reading makes you grow mentally whether you like it or not.
So indeed I might appear to be 14 or possibly even younger. But I am putting in effort to become the better person I am meant to be.
Maybe one day my height will surprise everyone and those who kept on asking questions would finally stop.
Until then, I'll keep answering their questions over and over again and keep living my life.
IMAGES ARE MINE