It is a relentless fight of bringing a dream to life for Mbagwu Amarachi Chilaka as she finally signed out of Imo State University (IMSU). The 27 Year Old tried relentlessly to get into the University after attempting the JAMB Exams seven times.
In her momentous but inspiring posting, Amarachi revealed that she sat to the “Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB)” exams seven times, acquired an OND and did pre-degree for one year before finally entering IMSU. The new graduate disclosed that she kept retaking JAMB exams because her parents motivated her not to give up but rather do even more.
In her words:
“First, it was my father who would stop at nothing to make sure I got into school. He didn’t have a university education, and he wanted to make sure his children did. “My mother too. For every year JAMB started sales, and I wanted to give up; she would assure me it’d work if I tried again.” Along the line, her resolve to be relevant in society became her driving force. “On my part, having lived on a school campus since my early teenage years, gaining university experience as well as a degree was what kept me going. I remember I was writing a story about the different kinds of friends I wanted to meet at the university. Although I never got to finish it, developing that story helped me a lot. “Also, I knew I wanted to become a relevant person in the society, and my father always warned that I would never be without a degree.” On how she feels about her academic feat, Amarachi said being a graduate has been one of her biggest dreams. “I am yet to find the exact words to express how finally being a graduate feels – to me. “This has always been one of my biggest dreams! So, on the eve and morning of my graduation, I wasn’t sure how to feel. Even worse, I wasn’t sure how I would feel after writing my last exam. I was so excited I felt I was going to burst, and I cried my eyes out before heading out for the exam hall.
“2 hours later, I still felt the same way. Only that I couldn’t cry anymore. For me, being a graduate feels great. I mean, I have only been a graduate for less than 24 hours now, but I am still overjoyed.” “I feel relieved, too – that I would never stress over exams and study at this level anymore. However, I feel a little scared – that life would be starting for real…” Amarachi hopes to pursue her master’s programme abroad on scholarship and hopes to settle down with a lifetime partner.
