Looking at the topic of this contest, I cannot but remember my experience when I was newly admitted to study philosophy and laugh at myself for what happened to me. I grew up into a man with lots of prospects for the future and it was quite a thing to be admitted to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife to study philosophy. After the normal registration, matriculation and all that we were to go through as freshmen I settled into the life of the school. Lectures went on for sometime and halfway through my very first semester I became frustrated. I went to my department on a faithful morning where I met some of my mates perusing through materials and past questions. I decided to join them in their discussions whether I could gain a thing or two. I got close to them and for close to two hours I was left confused of all that had been discussed there instead of being convinced of anything. I became afraid of what had happened, I felt like a dummy who was capable of knowing just one thing - nothing. Immediately, I left there unhappy and physically and psychologically I was deflated and exhausted from my experience. I went back to my hostel and into my room, I then ate to stupor having negative thoughts about myself. I told myself that I could not cope with school work again. I told myself that if and when I fail and I am being asked by anyone why I failed, then I was prepared to say that the reading of the book was beyond me. I would say I tried my best, but it did not yield the desired result.

That is quite a funny experience though and I am glad I had such a "marvelous" experience. It was not until much later that I found out that I was better than so many persons in my class. I found out that there is nothing they or anyone could know that I am not capable of knowing. I was by far intellectually ahead of them and that got me going to be one of the best students that anyone could boast of. I have a bragging right to say that I was relieved that I got the right mindset that has spurred me on in every endeavour that I find myself in. I just hope this entry is valid and good enough for consumption as a motivation that we should look inwards into ourselves as a means towards ending our problems and anxieties over things.

I would like to ask the organisers of this contest if it is possible that I put this comment of mine as a post in my blog.