I often fondly recall how I sat for, but didn’t write the Mathematics exam during WASSCE. It’s probably one of the most daring things I’ve done in my life and trust me, I’ve done quite a number.

You see, I despised the subject so much and barely ever attended the classes.

I was a truant back then (that truant that still manages to compete to top the class- that was me). Till date, I cannot confidently mention five mathematics topics in SS; it was that bad.

I always failed maths during terminal exams but almost always got As in other subjects.

My dad was bothered about my situation, never being impressed that I toped my class, always referencing that without a credit in maths, I had no educational future because “you can’t gain admission into any university to study any course without a credit in English & Maths”.

The poor man would hire private tutors for me and I would not show up. He threatened and did everything but I wouldn’t budge. Even my teachers were worried about me but somehow, I was unbothered.

WASSCE came and on the day of the Mathematics exam, I went in, filled my data on

the answer sheet as usual, waited for the attendance sheet, signed my attendance and left. Everyone was like WTF?! After the essay and it was time for the multi choice test, I didn’t even flip the question paper open. I just shaded the answer sheet randomly and left.

Results came out months later and I cleared my papers but got the F9 I deserved in Mathematics. Another episode ensued. My dad insisted I was going to rewrite the exams coz I needed to get a credit in Mathematics if I was to stand a chance of gaining admission into the university

I told him I cannot write a single exam twice in my life. Never had, never will. That’s how he gave me an ultimatum to either comply and register for the external exams or leave his house o. Trust me, I packed my stuff to leave the house.

To cut the long story short, without

rewriting shit, guess who admission into three universities, scaled through the screening processes, studied law, went to law school and became a lawyer?!

See, life isn’t mathematical. Outcomes aren’t absolute. Sometimes, you can’t explain your gut but you have to take that

chance and be ready to face the outcomes, come what may. You may stand alone, the odds may be totally pitched against you, but don’t let it invalidate your confidence.

Sometimes, the worst thing you can do to yourself is to listen to “good” advice.

Good morning.