You see, two weeks before my final year exams, I was
diagnosed with a very rare type of cancer. It was incurable. If someone had
told me then that I would complete my university education, I would have laughed. Actually
no, I probably would have wailed and thrown tear and snot soaked tissues in
their face. I did that a lot, back then (everyone was on guard). A lot of
people deterred me from starting my education again; they told me to
concentrate my time and energy on things that ‘really counted’.
Of course, what ‘really counts’ to someone, may not be that
important to someone else. And so, after a break of about two weeks, with Faisal's support, I started
my Psychology degree again. I didn’t attend university as much as I did before the
diagnosis, or sit and study as much, but I soldiered on. I sat exams at different times from my
friends so finished university a month after they had graduated (which consequently resulted in them being blocked on
whatsapp. It had to be done, them with all their end of exam celebrations and graduation preparations!)
Poor Faisal bore the brunt of the majority of the side
effects associated with the decision – he helped me around the house as best he
could (although I’m pretty sure he purposefully messed things up so I wouldn’t
ask him to do them again). He also helped me cook, and he’s a pretty good cook
- when he’s in the mood (again, pretty
sure when he’s not in the mood he purposefully messes up so I get frustrated
and send him away from the kitchen).
But we got through it. Results day for me wasn’t like
everyone else’s – I wasn’t glued to my computer screen, or whatsapping my
friends as soon as the results were out. I was actually shopping with my older
brother, eating a Gregg’s pastry, when I thought ‘You know what, let me check
if my results are out.’ And they were. And I was ecstatic – I had achieved a
First, and the chaotic few months had paid off.
Lesson of the day:
- It’s one of the biggest clichés in the book – but that
won’t stop me from using it: Hard work pays off. Determination is what got me
through my degree, and although it was the hardest thing I had ever attempted,
it was well worth it in the end.
- If something is important to you, take a stand for it.
Listen patiently to others, but at the end of the day, do what you want. We all live our own lives and
we must make our own decisions when it comes to what we feel is important.
- I’m pretty sure Faisal is an evil genius, with all his
cunning antics around the house. Keep an eye on your men, ladies. They’re not
as innocent as we think.
