The next decade....what's in store?

Looking back, over the years.

I decided to clean up a book shelf here at home in Jamaica. It was interesting to go back in time. Some of the things I found included past test papers for various subjects, from 1979/1980. I got a D in an English Literature test, probably because I hadn't read the book. I HATED Literature. Now I have come to know the value of reading.

Another thing I found was some books from UWI Nassau. Had lunch yesterday with two friends who I met there and it seemed like just yesterday that we were there sharing a rickety board house on Gregory Street. But it is in fact 20 years! On 20 August 1987, I wrote in my Accounts book at 3:27pm that I was sleepy. That's 20 years ago! (Oh, I misssed quite a few 9am classes because I overslept....didn't hear the alarm!)

Now the Accounts story in Nassau is quite a story, and one which I tell very often to show what luck and determination can do.

I went through first year Accounts at UWI Mona without understanding the concept of Debit and Credit. But somehow, I got a C at the end of first year. I could do Bank Reconcilliation and Cash Budgeting. (I use neither in life today!). When I got to Nassau and we did the first mid term test, I think I got 46%. I went to the teacher and asked him for private extra lessons. He said no. (There was a good reason I learnt afterwards). Tears welled up in my eyes, because I realized that if I didn't understand that concept, I would be forever trying to catch up. I was up a creek!

Now another Jamaican friend was also a bit clueless, and a fellow student who had taken a shine to her, offered to teach her. I tagged along one night, not to be a student, but just to do something. I remember this quite clearly, and he reads this blog so maybe he can say if he remembers this.

I was at the back of the Annex (classroom), sitting on the desk dangling my legs, while my friend sat up front listening to him. Then suddenly, something he explained made me get it. The lightbulb moment people talk about really does happen. The next mid term test I got 76% and my Accounts teacher, the same one who refused to give me extra lessons, wrote on my paper "way to go girl, I knew you could do it". One of my proudest moments.

I ended up with a B+ for the final grade after the exam. The next Accounting course the following semester, I was the only student to get an A! Sweet!

Now in the other post, I will share something else.....

Posted by yamfoot at August 30, 2007 09:37 PM