MY LIFE IN CAMPUS {PART 1/3}

Just like that, it’s over! (Read oveeeeeeeeer!). Honestly it does not feel like five years are gone already. Time sure flies. I still remember how young, fragile and innocent I was when I walked into Stella Awinja hostel for my first year in campus. I would say I was mature and responsible though, I brought myself to campus most people don’t.  Then papa came to check on me later and brought my luggage and I remember him questioning the custodians why I had to share a room with five other ladies yet the forms clearly stated sharing two. Best daddy ever, he cared enough to know where his daughter was going to live.

Sharing a room with five other adorable ladies turned out to be the best thing. I made friends that will forever remain my friends both in their presence and absence. The many Luhyia songs and ohangla dances done in that room, sweet old memories. Shout out to Brenda Nanjala, Rhoda Odongo, Sylvia Awori and Merlene Ndolo, I miss and love you lovely ladies. You made my first year worth it.

And then there was getting used to Geospatial engineering. Engineering school was quite uncomfortable at first, men all over the place. The transition from having ladies all over in high school to men was a little intimidating. Just a little because I had prepared myself well and knowing we all qualified to be here made me fit in perfectly. Years went down the line and I actually learnt that men too make good friends, good and reliable friends with very little or no drama. We all admire drama less life don’t we?

 

Life here has been a roller coaster I don’t know what to write and what not to, the memories are so many. Both good and bad memories that made me into who I am today but most important are the lessons I took from all of them, they will stick with me forever.

Being in the University of Nairobi makes you an alert hard core. You really have to be one to survive all the rioting, teargas, gun shots, stiff competition in everything; studies, fashion name it. It has been crazy to the point I literally go on my knees to say thank you Jesus for taking me through this stage safely. Several people joined but never came out alive; we hear all these in the news. There are those who were killed during riots, others were caught in the wrong acts and killed through mob justice, some allegedly drowned, others jumped over hostels for fear of terror attacks and the reasons are many, unbelievable and sad. I have learnt one lesson through all these deaths that life is not guaranteed to anyone and the distance between life and death is a thin fragile thread. We all should not take life for granted but live each day being grateful to God and loving to man. On that note I remember a good friend and classmate who passed on during our third year in school. Rest in peace Nimrod Muyale. I still remember the many jokes and stories we shared, the jovial and friendly spirit you had towards all your friends. We miss you Nim, the whole class of 2011 misses you and wish you a peaceful rest with the lord.

Back to campus life, it can be that uncertain. I just remembered an instance during the previous student strike over the reelection of student chairman. I have never heard teargas blasts that close to my room! I was so sure the sounds were gun shots and for a moment I pictured GSU storming into my room and beating me mercilessly. It is a scary thought and sadly enough this was a reality to someone in this very same university. I had to act quickly on this thought; you just never know I mean anything can happen. In a moment my roommate and I switched off the lights and dived under our beds just in case these crazy fellows storm our hostel. Under my bed, I sent a quick text to family to pass my love, again just in case anything happens. I am still here so nothing more than horrible sounds happened. They left me traumatized for a couple of days. A slight movement or loud sound literally made my knees weak. Each of those moments made me imagine death.

Enough about the sad and scary stories now to some hilarious memories. Exams! However much I do exams the experience never stops to feel horrible. I don’t know if it is just me but the mood created by this act of testing what I have learnt just feels very uncomfortable. Of course the feeling is different when results are brought and all is well but that moment right before a paper when you realize there is a topic you haven’t studied and chances of it coming are 90% is torturing. It’s actually a mixture of fear, torture, anxiety and prayer all in one.  But then again why don’t I just read everything and fill it all in then wait for the exam? Well, in engineering school that is almost a dream. It happens but not so often. So I have been battling this feeling of anxiety four times every year, times the number of units, times the number of years. That makes twenty times the total number of units I have done. Not funny! Good news is, all that is all in the past at least for some time.

Would you like to hear more of my campus stories? Part 2 loading..