Andrew
Aquiline Mutusva
LIKE a monster that raises its ferocious and vicious claws to destroy, Covid-19 impacted on my learning time. There was no-one as everyone was staying behind closed doors as a way of preventing spread of the virus. The academic load was all mine to study and handle. Syllabuses and books that had been passed on to me became my mentors.
During the first phase of the lockdown in 2020, I was super excited to be away from school and its pressures.
However, as the lockdown was extended every two weeks, a bell desiring change rang in me. Instantly, the experience of being absent from school became a cause for concern for me.
I felt I was lagging behind as examination time moved closer. l had little information to be a competent candidate. As the third month began, l pulled up my socks and set strict schedules to study.
Unlike other students from my community who had access to zoom meetings and one-on- one remedial lessons, l had to train myself to focus. This is because I come from a modest family and lacked funds to access extra learning platforms.
By the guidance of syllabuses, I taught myself, where I would miss out I asked my peers who had access to the internet. This really groomed me to be a good researcher and to be analytical.
More so, I became very critical and sensitive to data. Sometimes, I would note missing data and consulted my professors who offered only a minute or two of their tight schedules.
Eventually, I became an independent individual in every area of study.
I would set monthly examinations for myself using green books and textbooks l had borrowed. As each day passed with this practice at hand, l became more and more confident with my capabilities as a writing candidate. Additionally, l became a book worm and curious with any piece of paper I would see lying around.
As they say nothing lasts forever, eventually the lockdowns came to an end and I went back to school full time. Our facilitators began on a slow pace as they were in panic with the little time left to cover the ground in time for our Zimsec examinations.
I also panicked and began doubting my abilities. Worse more, the negative comments from other schoolmates who had completed syllabuses with professors pulled me down.
I began to question myself how, l was going to compete with someone who had been under the care of doctors of education.
Nevertheless, the little confidence left in me and faith got me over this. By God’s grace, I was able to perform exceptionally well and hats off to the hard work I exerted to my school work.
Online Reporter