Dear God… Let This Exam Be As Kind As I’ve Been To My Students

After more than a decade in the academia, I can honestly say I’ve enjoyed almost every part of the profession be it teaching, mentoring students, interactive classroom discussions, projects supervision, and those beautiful moments when a student finally understands a difficult concept.

Well almost every part… except one.

Marking examination scripts...  

Many lecturers already knows this struggle. Those tall piles of answer sheets staring back at you like they have a personal grudge... Often containing handwritings that look like footballers autographs, so difficult to read. 

At some point you begin to wonder whether you are marking an exam script or trying to decode ancient manuscripts newly discovered by archaeologists from the times of Tsumburbura and Barbushe. 

Then comes the internal debate between “Did the student really understand this?” and “Maybe I should give some marks for effort, for grammar, for neatness, etc” aka "let my people go." 

Well, yesterday life decided to flip the script.

For the first time in many years, I had to sit for my own Environmental Standards Certification Professional Exam. Not my usual free online courses exams that i casually take for professional development. This one was different, it required real focus and is funded by the World Bank and recognized by many other institutions, making it quite important for my career path progression.

As the online exam started, something funny happened. All my years of invigilating exams and marking scripts suddenly flashed before my eyes. And in that quiet moment, I whispered a small prayer in my heart:

“Yaa Allah… please let this exam be as kind to me as I have tried to be to my students over the years.” 🙈

Fast forward to this faithful Friday morning, 24th Ramadan 1447.

I woke up to a heartwarming email.

“Congratulations… You Passed.”

Alhamdulillah.

So to my students (past, present and future), if you ever wondered whether your lecturers remember what it feels like to sit for exams…

Trust me... We do! Lol

Moreover, I now understand your silent prayers a little better. 🤲😄

P.S. I am now a World Bank / Federal Government of Nigeria Associate Certified Environmental Standards Professional (A-ESCP). We remain available for professional environmental consultancy, collaborations, and referrals. Always here to support good projects.