I looked forward to the day of graduation because I just wanted to get all my documents. I wasn’t really planning to attend the ceremony but everyone around insisted I go and make those memories.
My mom was more excited about it than me but she had to travel out when it was time. All my siblings had their own engagements so in short, I left for the graduation by myself. I kinda liked that though cause I really don’t know what they would come and do there.
I met my cousin at the bus terminal and we ended up on the same bus.
We arrived in Tamale on Friday morning, went home, freshened up and left to the university campus.
We were joined by her friend who would also be living with us.
We first went to the bank to make payment for our graduation fee as that would enable us pick up our gowns.
Next we had to go pay for alumni dues and then we went to another bank because my cousin’s friend had some other payments to do. Aside roaming around the campus under the scorching sun and hungry, we had to carry around my cousin’s friend’s luggage as she alighted from the bus in-front of the campus and hadn’t gone home yet.
After making the payment, it was time for the rehearsal ahead of the graduation but we were so tired, we just made our way home.
On the day of the graduation, we had to be up early cause my cousin has a few clients coming in for make up.
While that was going on, I was just there still trying to think of what to wear. I had ordered a shirt to wear with my suit and I didn’t hear from the vendor again. Not that it was a scam cause I personally know the vendor but I was expecting feedback from her and she wasn’t available. I got a call later asking me to come and pick my package. So I left to town, relieved that I finally had a complete outfit.
When I got back from town, my cousin still had two more clients to go. It was already past 9 am and according to sources, that’s the time the program was supposed to start.
We eventually got to the venue after 12 pm.
We tried wearing the gowns but it was just too heavy and there was so much heat.
We immediately decided to return them without actually taking proper pictures with them.
Now that I think about it, I can’t believe we went through so much stress to get them and didn’t even use them.
After returning them, we decided to go get our certificates. And that is the beginning of my problems.
I was given two days off work to attend this ceremony (Thursday, Friday ). So I was expected to be at work on Monday. Knowing this, I booked a ticket for that same Saturday evening so that I would leave immediately after I pick up my certificate.
To take the certificate, I needed to present my clearance form showing that I was cleared of all charges by the university.
I didn’t have a clearance form. I started the process in school but never completed it. A lecture decided not to sign for me until the SRC (Student’s Representative Council) audit committee had cleared me since I was an SRC executive. The audit did clear me but she still found a reason not to sign. So I left the form with someone and went home and it got missing.
Luckily for me, there was an online clearance form on my student portal so that was what I intended to use.
I had forgotten to print that clearance form so whilst my cousin and her friend went to take their certificates, I had to go find an Internet cafe to print it. That was another stress but moving on, I got it printed, made it back to the administration and was told it cannot be accepted. I had to present the originally signed clearance form.
I had to meet a number of big heads over there, found a solution which did not solve the problem. Eventually, I had another solution but it was after 5 pm and the offices had closed, the ticket I booked got wasted, I didn’t get to take pictures with my friends, I was hungry and frustrated. So I went back home still uncertain on my next move.
I eventually decided to talk to my boss and ask for an extra day so that I could stay and get my documents.
On Monday, we were there as early as possible. I met with a friend who helped me make some calls, and finally got my certificate.
Then I went to join my cousin and her friend hoping to get the rest of our documents.
We were there till afternoon with no luck so we decided that we would go and get someone to take them for us later.
So we went to town to get tickets to travel back. We didn’t get tickets for the same day so we decided to go eat and go back for the campus and try again.
When we got back, I was able to get the rest of my documents but my cousin and her friend didn’t.
So we went home and came back the next day, this time, determined that we would get everything by all means.
We left home at 7 am on Tuesday, got there and still had to wait.
There were further complications with my cousin and her friend as they said there was a mix up with their results so their transcripts couldn’t be printed.
All in all, we got all we needed, went home to pack our clothes and made our way to the bus terminal.
And oh, before I forget, in the midst of all that chaos on the graduation day, I asked a friend to take me a picture because my mom called to asked why I haven’t sent her any yet.
So much for a graduation I didn’t even want to attend. I think it was okay though but I wished a had a little more time to take pictures.