Ekene Aka
If you’ve ever been lucky (or not so lucky) enough to spend your formative years in a Nigerian boarding school, you’ll totally get what I’m about to spill. So, brace yourselves for a trip down memory lane with “10 Things You’ll Only Understand If You Grew Up in a Nigerian Boarding School”!
1. Early Morning Devotion Struggles: Rise and shine, right? Every day kicks off with the unskippable morning devotion, whether you’re a churchgoer or not. Skipping it? Trust me, you’d be better off playing hide and seek with a pride of lions. Those prefects can spot a truant from a mile away!
2. Receiving Provisions from Home: Packages from home are like winning the lottery. Chocolates, toothpaste, and more chocolates – it’s like Christmas in the middle of the term. But guarding your stash from would-be snack-nappers is like a full-time job.
3. Navigating Senior Discipline: Seniors are like unpredictable weather patterns. Some days, they’re all sunshine and smiles, and other days, you’ll feel like you’ve been hit by a storm. You’ll need a manual on how to dodge their mood swings and survive minor infractions.
4. Sneaking Out for Entertainment: Who knew boarding school could be so James Bond? The thrill of sneaking out to watch a football match or a movie is second to none. But, beware! The principal’s office is not on your list of desired destinations.
5. Inter-House Sports and Cultural Competitions: The roar of the crowd during inter-house sports is like nothing else. It’s all about showcasing your house’s prowess in everything from track and field to debates. Cheering on your house is a true adrenaline rush!
6. Exams and Test Preparation Stress: Balancing your studies with the elaborate pranks your classmates cook up can be a real test of your nerves. It’s like trying to juggle flaming torches while riding a unicycle.
7. Excursions and Field Trips: Educational outings were a breath of fresh air! Getting out of the classroom to explore museums, parks, and zoos was like a mini-vacation. Plus, you got to add a gazillion photos to your social media (or maybe just your diary).
8. Hostel Boredom during Holidays: Staying back during the holidays? It’s like being the last person at a party when the music’s died down. There’s a lot of “me” time, which is great for self-discovery, but sometimes, you’d trade it all for a taste of home-cooked jollof rice.
9. Adjusting to Diverse Languages and Customs: You’ll become a polyglot in no time. From speaking Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, to mastering Pidgin English, you’re like a linguist at a cultural fair. And don’t even get me started on the food – you’ll be craving Egusi soup in your sleep!
10. Nostalgia upon Graduation: Graduating is like a bittersweet rollercoaster ride. You’re pumped about the future, but you’re also drowning in a sea of nostalgia. Saying goodbye to your boarding school family is like a plot twist in your favorite novel – emotional and unexpected.
So there you have it, the boarding school experience in all its glory! It’s a wild ride of devotion, provisions, seniors, secrets, competitions, stress, excursions, holidays, diversity, and graduation nostalgia. These ten things are the essence of growing up in a Nigerian boarding school – a place where you not only get an education but a crash course in life.
