The ember months which are September, October, November and December are always welcome by people with mixed feelings, some people are happy about the ember months while some people worry that they might not achieve their goals and some fear the evils that come by in the ember months but as for me, the ember months of 2025 is something really special because this is the year I graduated the university, yes it is extra special.
After four years of ups and downs at the Department of Accounting in the University of Ilorin, Kwara State Nigeria, I have completed the finish line with grace. My convocation is still around the corner, it is coming up October next month which is just a month away, I can imagine myself in my convocation gown already but as exciting as this is, the thought of life after school has also been humbling. It has been a year of success and challenges, I began this year struggling with my final year project while I was also trying to keep up with lectures, exams and fluctuating CGPA. I can still remember the days of late night reading in the library when I always struggle to read due to the fact that school vibes had left me those times and I was so tired of repeating the same cycle of reading for exams everytime, all my prayers to God that time was sha for me to just graduate and God answered my prayers, here I am a graduate even though it was not beans at all.
However, after my final exams a new chapter of my life began in full, these past months have opened my eyes to the reality of life outside the four walls of school. Suddenly, there are no more lectures, no more exams and no timetable guiding me. Now I'm left with the big question "What next?"🤦
In the meantime, I myself do not stay idle, I started learning digital accounting tools like Excel, taking courses on Coursera on how to improve my excel skills. I'm also learning how to analyse data on Excel, SQL and Power BI. Although it hasn't been easy switching from the days where you are always everywhere with your friends enjoying school days but school days are over now and I have to learn in silence where no one sees or notice me so that I can upskill, increase my portfolio and have a good start in my career after my NYSC. I have also start saving money little by little because one of my personal goals is to enroll for my ICAN exams during my NYSC so that I can finish up my Skills and Professional exams before the end of my service year.
Now that the ember months are here, I find myself reflecting on what I have achieved so far and what is still left undone. Honestly, there is still much I want to do but I am still grateful for how far I have come. At the beginning of 2025, I was just a student but today I am a graduate and a step closer to becoming a chartered accountant, that alone is worth celebrating.
The ember months comes along with their own excitement particularly in December due to the Christmas and New year celebrations. I personally love December a lot due to the special jolly jollof rice and juicy chicken, the Christmas colours, the decorations and the happiness I feel about them all, these are the little things that make these months special.
However, beyond the festivities these months are also a reminder for me to take life seriously, 2026 is just around the corner and I know I still have a lot to look forward to in all my plans and the new year resolution I wrote down at the beginning of 2025. I still believe there is still room for last minute breakthroughs in every aspect of my life.
Life truly is a journey with different seasons, this year has given me the gift of graduation, transitioning from one season of life to another with the hope of a brighter tomorrow. I may not have everything figured out yet but I know that each step I take is leading me closer to my dreams. As I embrace the remaining days of 2025, I do so with gratitude in my heart and determination in my spirit. For me, the ember months are not just the end of a year but they are the beginning of something new and a transition into a new season of my life.
Thank you so much for staying this far, hope you had a good read with me, see you again next time 😁