As a busy person, almost literally very day, I barely have time for myself or order things this days aside the part that I'm studying for incourses and exam which is currently fast approaching but when I get to have a little chance of freedom from my hectic days, I tend to use it judiciously which doesn't exist but I will say sometimes on Sundays after church service but its not everytime.
Yesterday was a different experience on it own because Never have I thought my experience will actually change the mind of a young youth or let me say a younger cousin for making almost the same mistake I took while growing up and it was quite a surprising experience for me but what really happened this faithful Sunday.
while coming back for church after service, Getting into my compound and on my way to my appartment I heard a voice calling my name faintly, I didn't really play attention because because another could have been could but hearing the name repeatedly I had to observe my surrounding and it with a turn I realized it was my aunty making the calls because we started in the same estate in GRA, ikeja but different building. Just immediately I walked toward her and exchange pleasantry with her for it had been a while we meet each other. Shortly after we exchanged pleasantry, she called my attention to her Second daughter who was about to prepare for her first JAMB EXAM( JOINT ADMISSION AND MATRICULATION BOARD EXAM) which is one of the required exam needed to get into a university in Nigeria and she had pick a particular course, she think might not be the best for her or in her word...she said it has lost it prestige on like before. We had this chat for about 30mins on stretch and I told her afterwards that I will come pay a visit and talk to her daughter personally to understand more about what is going on. But true be told I already knew what we going on and I also had mixed feeling in my mind about what I was going to tell her and how I was going to place my word so I don't get to hurt the child based on what she had alway wanted to be.... So I left and went to my abode, freshen up and prepared to have a long conversation, which might either to a thoughtful and benefittingone or might be against what me and her mother spoke about.
Getting there I sat my cousin down and as I was about to talk, I notice she kept looking back and forth at her mom knowing fully well that we had discussed something about her somewhere but I had to still pretend like nothing had happened earlier that the day, but what exactly was the discussion I had with her mom.... LoL it was conversation about how my cousin wants to study Medicine and Surgery in the university and she believe it just a waste of time because Doctors are not getting the recognition they deserve and the pay roll in Nigeria nigeria is nothing to talk home about, she said in her word that why will a student study so hard for 7years or more and will not be paid more than a million for saving lifes..... Funny fact is that thay has at the time of the conversation I had myself thinkkng about what I was going through and how it might kind of tally with what she was saying... I kept on having glitches and twitches in my thought but I still keep my composure so I don't get notice(keep the streeze that never existed). So getting to her place I knew what exactly i was going to say and how blunt I should make it sound so I don't get to deceive myself and child in amyway.
We sat together and spoke about why she wanted to study Medicine in school and what she would have study if not medicine, we had the conversation for more than an hours and we both realized it was just something she wanted to do as a child dream but it was not a strong identity for her as she find love in order aspect of life and sitting there she was still having mixture thought either to study Medicine and Surgery or Go in tech or possibly Business..... And the fun part is that she had just 6days to decide about her life ambition because she need to register for the exam in 5days.
While we were discussing about all the alternative, slowly did tears began to drop from her eyes and the sound of frustration did she start to utter and all i could do at this moment was to put my self in her position and realize the decision was beyond her or me or her mum. Honestly if it was years back like 20/30years ago itstudying medicine will have been enjoyable but know it's nothing to talk home about here in Nigeria, knowing this and trying to find an alternative because it has alway being your childhood dream, makes everything worst.
Source
Brought her to the understanding that there are thousands of ways to achieve success on earth but determination and discipline will be the key to achieve it and after telling her about my experience and all I did and had to go through to study Medicine, I told her point blank that she go with whatever her mind talks her to do because now or here... There is no need to change her thought about whatever she decide.
The conversation was not just about choosing a career path, it was more about understanding oneself, weighing personal desires against societal expectations because at the end of it all, it will have to still be her decision and what happen after and navigating the uncertainty that comes with making life altering decisions. I realized that no matter how much guidance we offer, the choice ultimately belongs to the individual, and the best we can do is provide honest insight and support. As I left my cousin's place that day, I felt a mix of relief and hope. Relief that I had shared my truth without imposing it, and hope that whatever path she chooses, she does so confidently, knowing that her worth and potential are not confined to a single decision