IT’S NEVER TOO LATE ~Advise to the Learners

Melba Mabuku-Sitwala

As l look back and imagine how l almost gave up but l am forever indebted to my parents whose voices kept ringing in my ears telling me never to give up on my dreams, reminding me of how smart l was even though there were days they scolded me too when l didn’t pass. Before then l never believed when they said l can be anything l wanted to be provided l remained determined, focused and dedicated to the core of my dreams. But most importantly, two phrases l have embraced and lived with which we were frequently reminded of where that education is the best equalizer and that there is no on your max in life. By this, mum meant that when you get educated, it will get you the best jobs, make you travel the world, mingle with people that are considered to be from high profile groups (successful) and your voice could serve as the beacon of hope to many others. I am truly glad that my voice has become a beacon of hope to many other youths through grooming and mentorship.

Growing up in the Northern Province of Zambia in Mbala, I vividly remember so well just how life was in the barrack. Just as it is well phrased that “it takes a village to raise a child” that indeed was an environment l remember growing up from. My parents just like any other worked so hard to provide for us and to ensure we had a better life by sending us to best schools because they believed that it was only through education that a better future was guaranteed. I remember just how we competed to be the best among ourselves because this brought honor and pride to our parents. Anyone that has lived in the barrack setup can attest to this. There were parties when results came up and children had done well hence this pushed us to really work hard. This is not to say that there were no challenges, of course just like any society, there were some challenges we encountered.

The hardest challenge came when l went to grade 8 and there we had to mix with children from all kinds of backgrounds but the school ensured that we were all treated equal. I remember admiring how fluently other children spoke English, how others bragged when they got higher marks. Being an average learner eventually led to feeling low self-esteem. I felt like l did not fit in. This also affected my performance at school as l allowed such thoughts coupled with fear of unknown and lack of confidence take centre stage of my life. Despite all these mixed feelings, l found comfort in sports and church activities. When l was given the portfolio of a head girl my first question was, what did the school management see in me. It was then that l started to realize that l was more than capable to shine just like any other child. I have run with this and l strive to work hard, remain passionate, dedicated and NEVER GIVE UP. I know a lot of time people are not willing to share their knowledge but don’t give up. There are still others whose interest will be to always see you progress and want the best of those friendships (to win together). Remember to always put God first in everything you do.

To cut the story short, l really didn’t do very well at grade 12 so my parents made me to repeat. This part of my life came with a lot of denial. I was accepted at Evelyn Hone College but my mother insisted that l had to rewrite and go to University. I remember some of the negative comments l had to endure such as head girl is rewriting, if you asked me now, l would say it was the best move my parents thought of and l will be forever grateful. I realize that they really meant well as they just wanted the best for me despite me being hesitant to upgrade. Yes, l upgraded and met the requirements for University. While at University, it was when l realized that l was not really a Kinesthetic learner and this meant that l had to really push myself. upon this realization, there were some adjustments l had to make and the first was to first believe in myself, remind myself that failure is not final as l was motivated to know that l was created to be the head and not the tail so l needed to take pride in getting low marks. Equally, l ensured that l did not feel entitled but had to compete like any other child to get good marks.

As l look back, it may have seemed impossible but l am glad l went through failures which molded me to value every cent my parents were spending. I am glad that l never gave up despite several hik cups. Those challenges have been overcome by others even worser than what you may be going through. We may not experience the same challenges, but the bottom line still remains that you should be in control of your life, believe in yourself and understand that you do matter. Allow every hurdle you face to serve as a motivation and a way for a guaranteed better tomorrow than to see it as an obstacle. Choose to be an overcomer and rise above every fear.

Its normal to feel defeated, frustrated and low-self esteem but advise is that no matter what tries to break you, keep pushing. No one said that life will be all smooth. Never allow any failure to break you but rather let it build you. Every successful person out there will surely tell you about the countless times they tried and failed but yet never gave up. If you are preparing for exams and feel like you are not fully ready, my advice to you is that don’t give up. Keep pushing. Ask where you don’t understand, if need be try to find people that are good in the subjects where you are not so good and allow them to be your mentors. l must remind you that the race is still on and the price doesn’t have an owner. The race to success is definitely not for the faint hearted. It’s time to reflect and adopt best tactics for studying, be confident, choose the right friends that will empower you, have a right and positive mindset, rise above your fears.

Understand that it is never too late to still be a top performer. You have to believe in yourself and know that you are worth it and deserve to be top. This is because you are not different from any other person who deserves the prize. Remember that you are not defined by how you started but how you finish the race is what matters. you are capable of breaking that cycle of disbelief just like l did.

If l was given a chance to start school once more, l would definitely be an A+ student. Thanks to my friends that helped me rise from a C+ to an A student and later getting an award at Masters. Remember your parents, brothers, sister, uncles, aunties, grand parents have sacrificed everything to make you have the best so your own is to make them proud. Thank you to my husband, aunties, uncles, brothers and sisters, my brothers’ wives that have believed in me, rooted for me when l thought l couldn’t push myself further. With my current studies, yes, a doctorate is guaranteed. I am still a work in progress and my supervisors are my greatest mentors. Work hard and contribute to be the change you wish to see.

I am rooting for you.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of Melo Media Zambia.