Today was academic Thursday in my fellowship (Christian Fellowship International and it was amazing. I was one of the organizers and I’m so glad it turned out awesome. We interviewed four of our members in a bid to help the general house learn new academic hacks and do better academically. God helped us. The program was interactive and all round fun.

You know, it’s amazing that I do well in school with little or no effort. People notice this and go “how do you do it?” “What kind of human being are you?” “Don’t even compare yourself to Ayanfe”. However, more than being the girl that doesn’t stress but passes well, I want people to see a girl immersed in the grace and mercy of God. A girl that does exploits in her academics because she knows her God. I want my academic excellence to be a testimony of God’s faithfulness and grace.

Few days ago, I was listening to music and I began to recall random memories. One thing was obvious in every memory that played out in my head; God’s mercy. The experiences that seemed like the most terrible things that could ever happen to me have become examples of God’s intentionality about me. Although my academic life has been quite rocky, I’m immensely grateful for where I am now by the grace of God.

I was a straight A student in Nursery school. I loved school and I was passionate about it until I began to understand what was going on around me. The thing about sensitive children is that dysfunction literally shakes them up and the impact lingers. Family wasn’t fine. Instability became the norm. I became uncomfortable and unhappy.

People knew I was smart but it didn’t feel like it ‘cause I didn’t feel like me. I was beginning to dissociate and academics became something I put automatic efforts into. I’ve always loved spellings. I excel effortlessly at it but I remember crash-learning the words Mrs John gave me since Friday in the car on Monday morning. I also remember getting low scores and getting caned in Mrs Alonge’s office. I remember sitting at the back and keeping to myself in class.

The next primary school I attended was somewhat a muslim school. It wasn’t all that bad because I had freedom. I was going to school and going back home by myself. I had my Hausa friends and cultural activities to keep me busy. I still wasn’t putting any extra efforts into school work but I was easily among the best students in the school.

Secondary school was worse. At 7, I knew that if I was going to remain in school, I had to earn my place. You think I did this by finally taking my academics seriously? Nah. I crash-read my way through secondary school. I really didn’t care. At this point, I had successfully dissociated. I was in class with students that were way older than I was and I was getting by. Every now and then, I’d fall but I learned to dust my body and get back up again. Sometimes I’d even cry, talk to myself and keep it moving. I learned resilience by force by fire.

I remember being asked to repeat in SS1 because I was short of 3 marks in maths. That holiday was probably the most terrible holiday I’ve ever experienced. I cried fire. Then I told myself that it was impossible for me to fail. Adejumobi, you’re brilliant. You can not fail. But I did. I spent about two weeks or thereabouts repeating SS1 until one day. God’s mercy decided to take a stroll on this day.

The government teacher was teaching but I wasn’t listening. I was holding my result; counting my credits and wondering why a result that good couldn’t get me to the next class. The teacher noticed me. He asked to see what I was looking at and I showed him. He told me to show my result to the Vice Principal that I shouldn’t be repeating the class. I don’t remember any long process. I only remember the vice principal agreeing with the teacher and sending me to the SS2 class. That was how I got my promotion.

I remember writing WAEC three times and having to stand on “I sense that” the third time. My family didn’t understand. I didn’t either but through mercy, I sensed what God was saying even though I didn’t hear him. I obeyed and it worked. I remember the numerous JAMB I had to write. The one where I slept off in the exam hall. The one where I mistakenly submitted after only about ten minutes. The one where rain beat the hell out of me.

Now, when I tell people I finished secondary school at 12 and they ask me why I’m in 200 level at 22, I just smile because what can I say? I don’t think I have a straight answer to this question. I don’t exactly know why it had to be UI or why my admission came the way it came in 2019 but I know Romans 8 vs 28.

I’m sharing all this to help you understand that God is not more concerned about your spiritual life than he is about your academics. He’s not less interested in your academic pursuit. As a matter of fact, he’s waiting for you to see and express all the brilliance he deposited in you.

In a world where intelligence has been marginalized and limited to good grades and certain metrics, I’m here to tell you that you’re more intelligent than you’ll ever know. Just find your place and shine like no man’s business. For me, Maths is not my place. Science is not my place either so I don’t bother much with them. I just stay in my place and shine. I want you to see this post as a call to find your own place. Find it and own it. Dazzle us with your brilliance. We’re ready for you.

I’d just leave a message here for my fellow Uites:

Dear Uite,

I know it’s exam period and I know you’re neck deep in preparations and jacking. Amidst all these, I hope you never forget that God is in you, with you and for you. Academic excellence is not just for a certain set of people. Excellence is your inheritance as a child of God so go in the consciousness of this truth and excel. Don’t follow the crowd. Study yourself and stick with what works for you. Set goals for yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to help you smash them. Celebrate yourself. Nourish your body, soul and spirit.

Lastly, like GES 107 has rightly said, don’t forget to sleep well, eat well and rest well. Speak the word of God over yourself and your academics. Call forth the grades you want by faith. We don’t usually fail here so go forth and four point the hell out of your courses.

Godspeed fam. I wish you great success. Lezgedizzzzzz!!!