Fatima Zahra Yahaya: How Gaining Admission to University Late Was the Best Thing for My Education

Fatima Zahra Yahaya's story is one that resonates deeply with many young Nigerians who have found themselves at a crossroads, unsure of what the future holds. For Fatima, that crossroads came three years after finishing secondary school, when she was still waiting for university admission. It's a scenario that's all too familiar for many, but for Fatima, it was a journey that would ultimately lead her to discover a new path, one that would transform her life in ways she never thought possible.

As Fatima stood in the market, trying to hide the truth from a junior student who had just returned from university, she felt the weight of expectations bearing down on her. It was a feeling she had grown accustomed to over the past three years, as she watched her friends and peers move forward with their lives, while she remained stuck in limbo. The shame and frustration that came with this realization were overwhelming, and there were times when Fatima felt like giving up. "I said that plainly because it is true," she writes, "That is where shame and frustration eventually take you."

But something shifted in Fatima, and she began to see her situation in a new light. She realized that she couldn't control when university would happen, but she could control what she did while she waited. And so, she started volunteering to teach English to nursery school pupils, a experience that would not only give her a sense of purpose but also help her develop valuable skills. She also found a free TEFL course online, which she completed, and started learning Korean on Coursera, simply because she was curious. These small steps may have seemed insignificant at the time, but they marked the beginning of a new chapter in Fatima's life.

Fatima's story is evidence of the power of finding purpose in the waiting. It's a reminder that life doesn't have to stand still just because our circumstances change. As she wrote fictional stories for online platforms and applied for scholarship after scholarship, Fatima was slowly but surely building a new identity for herself. She was no longer just a student waiting for university admission; she was a writer, a teacher, and a learner. And it's this sense of purpose that ultimately helped her navigate the challenges she faced.

• Fatima Zahra Yahaya spent three years waiting for university admission after finishing secondary school.
• She volunteered to teach English to nursery school pupils and completed a free TEFL course online.
• She started learning Korean on Coursera and wrote fictional stories for online platforms.
• Fatima applied for scholarship after scholarship, some of which were rejected, while others offered partial funding.

As I reflect on Fatima's story, I am struck by the resilience and determination that defined her journey. It's a reminder that life is full of unexpected twists and turns, but it's how we respond to these challenges that truly matters. Fatima's story is a powerful testament to the human spirit, and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a brighter future. And as I look to the future, I am convinced that Fatima's story will inspire many young Nigerians to find purpose in the waiting, and to turn their circumstances into opportunities for growth and transformation.