As B.E.C.E comes to an end, I’m reminded of many years ago when I finished mine. After our last paper, we began to sing, write on each other’s shirts, exchange numbers etc. It was before the days of corona so we shared tights embraces as well. Some of our teachers were present and still managed to chip in some last minutes words of advice to us. Chief amongst that, was to take care of ourselves and make them and the name of the school proud. Of course, we promised to do that without even understanding exactly what it meant. We all proceeded to Senior High School and on our first day of class, most of us were asked the schools we were from. Over time, the naughty ones were told that they were different from their predecessors who passed through the school from the same junior high. It was either that or admiration. Indeed, we were walking in the shoes of our seniors-good or bad. In view of that, the onus lied on us to either be different (where bad precedence had been set) or not to let the name of the school down ( in cases where good records had been set)
- I learnt through that, we always walk with a bit of our past but we also have the chance to change the story in our favour .
Time is important. The BECE results will show that some people wasted their school years while the results of others will show that they made good use of it. Even if it was difficult (or rocked you, as we say), you will most likely get a school to attend.The school you attend matters but in cases where there is not much, you can do, accept where you find yourself and rectify the wrong. Use your time judiciously and prepare in advance for the WASSCE.
- I learnt a lesson from something a teacher told me; “the day you step in SHS is the day you start preparing for the WASSCE; not in Form 3”. Start preparing early enough .
Relationships are dear. School is not only about formal learning. Position yourself to adopt good habits from friends and teachers. Teachers are our friends. For some reason, we grew up thinking teachers were up to find faults and punish us but that’s not true. In my days in school, there were about three teachers I related to as mothers and they guided my social and learning life in SHS. Make lifelong friends. Even as you make new friends in SHS, do not leave the ones from JHS behind. Keep in touch and find out what is going on in their respective schools and study with them as well- If you find that they are ahead of you in a particular subject, take their notes and prepare ahead. Do not just have idle conversation. Talk about constructive things. Remember that you will all write the same exam, irrespective of the school you find yourselves in.
- Life is easier because aside family, you have friends who hold your hand through the different stages of life . Do not think some people have nothing to offer and do not write anyone off. Endeavour to be the best of yourself just like everyone is doing in the group as well.
Extracurricular activities are in the schools plan for a reason. Do not think you went to school to study so you will not partake in club activities, sports, entertainment or anything. Through such activities, the greatest people we know in various fields unearthed their talents or polished them up. Even if you do not know what talent you have and thus, do not know what club to join, try them all. There is no harm in that. Attend drama club meetings for two weeks and if it doesn’t work, join the debaters club. If those do not go well too, join robotics, football, chess, cadet or the choir. Just join something. Do not spend the time dodging teachers when it is time for extracurricular activities.
- I got my first internship job after SHS through a club I was part of. Through that, many more doors have opened for me.
Even before all of these happen, you will be home awaiting results for a couple of months. Do not waste that time. Use it to learn something. It has been a long period of learning so you need to rest and relax and your mind but after that, volunteer to work for an aunt or uncle, spend some time with your hairdresser, spend time on YouTube learning to code, to drive, to cook etc. Pick up a skill or two. It will come in handy in future.
- A friend learned to braid after BECE and did not use it till she was in medical school in Ukraine. She made a lot of money from braiding the hair of other students . There is another friend who used to help her mother make , Sobolo – hibiscus drink. As a masters student in Canada now, she makes that and other soothing drinks for sale.
Finally, you may want to study a particular course which you may not be given. That will hurt but that should not prevent you from going to school or stop you from putting in your effort or cause you to close your mind to the opportunities that come with studying that course. Don’t fall into the trap of “ had I known”. Just put in your best. Life is funny. You do not know the turn life intends to take. You can be anything you want, regardless of the course.
- Someone who studied general arts is now a doctor and someone who studied accounting is now a fashion designer and very accomplished.
You have the benefit of seeing the future now through the eyes of others. Take advantage of it for a better future.
Congratulations on a successful completion of this phase of your educational career.
