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Life Of Jay Godwin

The Exam That Shaped Him

Exam Day 1 in the Life of Jay Godwin
The morning sun filtered through the thin curtains of Jay Godwin’s tiny apartment, casting golden streaks on the cracked walls. Outside, the bustling sound of traders setting up their wares filled the air, but Jay had no time to notice. Today was a defining moment—his first exam in B.Sc. Information Technology at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

Balancing work and academics had always been a herculean task for Jay. As a delivery assistant at an MMDC (Mega Market Distribution Center) depot under one of Coca-Cola's project warehouses, his days were filled with endless runs, loading and unloading crates of soft drinks on and off trucks, and navigating the chaos of Lagos traffic to meet delivery deadlines. The pay was a bit modest, just enough to keep his siblings in school, feed his aging father, and scrape together the fees for his education.

Studying Information Technology at NOUN had been a dream born out of necessity. Jay had always been fascinated by computers—the way they connected the world, simplified tasks, and opened doors to endless opportunities. Despite his circumstances, he wanted to be a part of that digital future. But at NOUN, success wasn’t handed to anyone; it was earned, often with blood, sweat, and sleepless nights.

The weeks leading up to the exams had been a whirlwind. Between 12-hour shifts at the depot and the grueling commutes, Jay had barely found time to breathe, let alone study. His Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) were the saving grace that kept him afloat. Each TMA was worth 30 marks, and Jay made every effort to ace them. Nights were spent poring over his notes, crafting well-researched answers that earned him scores between 24 and 29 out of 30 —marks that reflected his determination and grit.
But TMAs were just the beginning. The real test lay in the exams, which accounted for the remaining 70 marks.

By 6:30 AM, Jay was on a rickety bus headed to the study centre, his well-worn bag slung over his shoulder. Inside were the essentials: his NOUN ID card, a pen he had borrowed from his youngest sister, his signed and stamped exam clearance, and his calculator. His mind buzzed with a mixture of anxiety and resolve. He had submitted his last TMA just two days ago, squeezing it in during a short break at work, and now, it was all or nothing.

The exam hall was a blend of anticipation and tension. Rows of desks stretched endlessly, and students like him filled the seats, their faces etched with focus and fatigue from meeting up the deadline fixed at 8:00 AM before the gate was looked preventing late comers from entry. The invigilator, a stern woman with sharp eyes, handed out the question papers at exactly 8:30 AM.

Jay’s hands trembled as he turned the page. The questions stared back at him, a mix of algorithms, database management, and network security—topics he had stayed up countless nights reviewing briefly in his NOUN UPDATE Concise Exam & Course Summary (CE&CS). The first few minutes were the hardest. His mind raced, heart pounded, and for a moment, the words blurred on the paper.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and whispered to himself, 'Jay, you’ve got this.'
With newfound focus, he began to write. The clock ticked mercilessly, each second a reminder of how precious time was. He tackled the questions methodically, starting with the ones he was confident about. His pen moved furiously across the paper, his thoughts spilling out in clear, concise answers. The hall was silent except for the sound of scribbling pens and the occasional cough.

By the halfway mark, Jay felt a glimmer of hope. He had answered the first five questions and was halfway through a detailed diagram explaining a network topology. But the pressure never let up. The invigilator’s piercing gaze, the rustle of papers, and the constant ticking of the wall clock reminded him of the stakes.

With five minutes left, Jay scribbled his final answer, his hand cramping from the effort. When the invigilator called time, he reluctantly put down his pen. The weight of the moment hit him as he handed in his script.

Outside, the world seemed brighter. Jay leaned against a shop 'plank' pillar, exhaustion settling in his bones. The exam had been intense, a rollercoaster of emotions and effort. But as he sipped from his water bottle, he felt a flicker of pride. Day 1 was behind him. No matter how tough it had been, he had given it his all.

For Jay, every day of this journey was a step closer to a better future—not just for him, but for his family. Day 2 of exam, he would return to the hall, ready to face whatever challenges came his way.
To be continued…

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