That year, when I couldn’t meet up with the cut off mark for medicine and surgery, l almost thought it was the end.
Everyone wanted me to study medicine and surgery. I had wanted it too. It was later I knew I wanted it for some funny reasons though.
There was nothing I could do but change my course.
I tried changing my course to Human Nutrition and Dietetics which was my initial personal choice (a story for another day) but I was told it wasn’t possible.
At last, I picked up the change of course form and changed to Chemistry as my first choice and Industrial Chemistry as the second choice.
Chemistry is a course I had also admired greatly. I always thought if I study chemistry, then, I would be fit to work in any production company.
Alas, when the admission list came out, I saw BOTANY (also known as PLANT SCIENCE) written bold and clear in front of my name
Please, what is BOTANY for crying out loud?
I couldn’t stop myself from crying.
Oh! I cried so much.
My dad and mum on the other hand were just praising God. Oh my sweet parents! They’ve been too much of a support system.
Yes, I know they must had probably felt unhappy, still, they needed to stand by their daughter.
My parents are both nurses and as much as they would have wished that their first daughter becomes a medical doctor, they also had to know that God’s will should be done. At least, mum too never wanted to be a nurse initially.
However, the journey afterwards was not such a smooth one. I had many criticism from all sides.
Many thanks to my parents. They let me understand that they were ready to support me and that they were not going to force me do anything I don’t want to.
They advised to start the course and that along the way, I could either change my course or take up another form. Well, at the long run, I didn’t go for any of the options for many reasons which I’ll talk about later.
Many thanks to Mr Daniel Oni. He was over joyous when my dad told him about the admission. He said he even prefer I’d rather opt in for a science course than study medicine.
Let me also chip it in that the idea of Botapreneur and the name itself came through him by the inspiration of God (a story for another day as well).
Next to him was another strong support system, Mr Opeyemi Opayemi.
On one of my crying moments, he said, “Lizzy, all those that wanted you to study medicine, was it God that told them that? If all of them can prove it that God told them, then, he will personally sponsor the money to get another Jamb form. If not, they all had better keep quiet.
These two together with my parents and siblings were those that stood by me.
Many later supported along the line as well.
However, a larger percentage opposed it.
I heard a lot of talks that could turn one’s head upside down.
What’s the essence of Botany?
Don’t you want your husband to respect you?
Do you want to serve your mate?
Do you want to waste your brain?
These were some of words I heard from people.
Someone even affirmatively said that he must never heard that I finished with Botany.
I remembered while I was in 200level, someone still suggested that I wrote another Jamb and start all over again.
Really?
At that point, I already made up my mind.
“Well, if at all I will still study medicine, I must finish this one I have started, I told myself.”
I started dodging people that could damn my spirit and I focused on my studies.
At the end of it all, I finished as the best graduating for my set even though I didn’t meet my targeted goal. Still, I give all glory to God.
One day, I’ll still share the story of how and why I couldn’t meet up with my targeted goal.
Now, those that thought nothing good could come out of the course are those that had become so interested in it now.
“Really? Lizzy, you studied plant Science? We need plant scientists at a time like this. Why can’t you help us get some plants we can use to fight this corona.”
I’ve been hearing this and many more recently.
So amazing!
I thought they all didn’t see anything good in it before.
Today, I’m grateful to the all knowing God, the one that knows the end from the beginning.
Today, I’m grateful to those that I’ve been my strong support system.
Today, I’m grateful for those whose good words encouraged me and those whose not-so-good words made me to work harder.
Today, I’m grateful to know that God is just starting with me.
🛑 Dear one, yours might not in the area of choosing a course. Whatever area it might be, I want to tell you that you shouldn’t let the words of people get to you.
As much as advice is good, learn how to know sieve the good from the bad.
Always base your decision on what God says and not by what people say.
🛑 The path you’re treading might not make sense now, trust me, it will make sense at the long run.
Just follow the path God has chosen for you.
🛑 To those that still feel sad and scared to talk about what they study, I will love you to look inward and encourage yourself like David did. Know what you want and go for it.
Like I’ll always say, if God says I should go back and study medicine, I will do that. However, for now, I’ll keep choosing Botany (plant science) over and over again.
You can always try again if you fail but don’t allow failure keep you in one spot.
Know when you probably need to change or move ahead.
🛑 Build your confidence. Be positive about life.
Do your best and leave the rest to God. Strive to be the best you can in any area of course you find yourself.
I will leave you with this verse of the Bible that says, “Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.”
#YoursFaithfully
#Elizabeth Tolulope Egbeniyi.
#Your one & only Botapreneur.
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Cheers 🙌.
God bless you 🙏.
