The Quiet After Drowning There was a time I knew where the light slept. I could find it, even with my eyes closed — a soft hum beneath the bones, a reason for the pulse. But something swallowed the dawn. Now every morning tastes like forgetting. I wake, but not entirely. The air feels borrowed, the days — rehearsed. I move through them like a shadow trying to remember the shape it came from. Sometimes I think of endings, how gentle they might be — like water closing over sound. How quiet. How kind. But then the dream returns, thin and trembling, refusing to die where I buried it. It sits beside me, its heartbeat faint but certain, and I keep breathing — if only to hear it again. I am not alive. I am a rehearsal for it. A ghost still chasing the warmth of what it once meant to want. And if I keep walking, it’s not toward the light — it’s just away from the dark that knows my name too well.

 Sink Phase (Journal entry – October 26 2025) The air here tastes like waiting. Every wall memorizes my silence. They say obedience is holy — but what if it’s just another word for erasure? I keep washing my face in water that never forgives. My reflection asks, when did survival become your only prayer? I’ve been burning on low flame — a candle too afraid to melt. They call me ungrateful, but I’m just choking on the smoke of all the things I swallowed to stay good. I stopped cooking because they said my hands were wrong. I stopped speaking because they said my words were sharp. Now even my breath asks for permission. Everything I once believed keeps crumbling under its own scripture. God feels like static. Hope, like an echo I used to know. I want to run, but where do you go when home itself is the wound? So I stay — haunted by half-light, counting the cracks on my ceiling like verses that never saved me. Some nights, I hear the walls breathing — like they’re tired of holding me i...

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the timetable for the 2024 May/June SSCE examination in Nigeria. The WASSCE exams will commence on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, with foods and nutrition 3 (practical) planning session and home management 3 (practical) planning session.  This is according to their post on X formerly Twitter (@waecnigeria) Here is the the link to the Time Table (note: the link is to WAEC website) WAEC 2024 TIME TABLE

Stress and anxiety are familiar companions for students, often presenting themselves simultaneously and posing unique challenges to academic success and personal well-being. In this essay, we will explore why it's essential for students to cope effectively with stress and anxiety, examine the consequences of unmanaged stress and anxiety, and provide practical techniques tailored to the student experience. First and foremost, let's understand why coping with stress and anxiety is crucial for students. As students juggle academic demands, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, and personal responsibilities, they often find themselves feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. The pressure to perform well academically, meet deadlines, and excel in various aspects of their lives can lead to heightened stress levels. Simultaneously, the uncertainty surrounding future outcomes, such as grades, career prospects, and social acceptance, can trigger feelings of anxiety and apprehension. Cop...

Self-confidence plays a pivotal role in a teenager's academic success. It significantly influences their performance in school, the grades they achieve, and their overall learning experience. In this article, we'll delve into the relationship between self-confidence and academic achievement and explore strategies to enhance academic self-confidence among teenagers. How Self-Confidence Influences Academic Success: Motivation: Self-confident teenagers are more motivated to excel in their studies. They believe in their abilities and are willing to put in the effort required to succeed. They have a positive outlook on their academic goals, which fuels their motivation. Resilience: Self-confident students tend to be more resilient in the face of challenges and setbacks. They are better equipped to handle failures and bounce back from disappointments, which is crucial for long-term academic success. Participation: Confidence encourages active class participation. Students who beli...

Self-confidence is a valuable asset for teenagers as they navigate the challenges of adolescence and prepare for adulthood. It empowers them to face life's hurdles with resilience and optimism. However, building and maintaining self-confidence is a journey that often requires guidance and practice. In this article, we'll delve into specific techniques and exercises that teenagers can use to improve their self-confidence. 1. Practice Positive Self-Talk The way we talk to ourselves can greatly impact our self-confidence. Encourage teenagers to become aware of their inner dialogue. Are they frequently critical of themselves? Help them replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations. For instance, instead of saying, "I can't do this," they can shift their mindset to say, "I can learn and improve." 2. Set Realistic Goals Setting and achieving goals is a powerful way to boost self-confidence. Teens should start with small, achievable goals and gradually ...

"Why Can't You See Me" is a villanelle, a highly structured form of poetry characterized by its specific rhyme scheme and repeating lines. This poem consists of five tercets (three-line stanzas) followed by a quatrain (four-line stanza) at the end. The rhyme scheme is ABA for each tercet, and the last quatrain follows ABAA. The poem appears to explore themes of identity, recognition, and the struggle for individuality within the context of familial relationships and societal expectations. The speaker grapples with feelings of being overshadowed and unrecognized, particularly in comparison to a sibling or someone else who holds a prominent position in the world. The repetition of certain lines serves to emphasize the central ideas and emotions. The lines "In shadows deep, the firstborn takes her place" and "A nameless fame, a life's illuminated grace" are repeated throughout the poem, anchoring the reader's attention to the speaker's struggl...

In shadows deep, the firstborn takes her place, A limelight's hold, a crown that's hers alone, A nameless fame, a life's illuminated grace. Her presence strong, a sun in endless space, And I, a figure in her shadow known, In shadows deep, the firstborn takes her place. Distinct endeavors, still I find no trace, Of recognition for the self I've grown, A nameless fame, a life's illuminated grace. Though efforts bloom, yet tethered in embrace, A label ties me, one that's not my own, In shadows deep, the firstborn takes her place. With every step, I yearn to set the pace, For destiny's unique path to be shown, A nameless fame, a life's illuminated grace. Let others see me, not just a case Of mirrored kinship, roles forever sewn, In shadows deep, the firstborn takes her place. For all of us, distinct in life's embrace, Deserve a chance to let our light be known, A nameless fame, a life's illuminated grace. With courage, I emerge, find strength to face...

Goal-setting and achievement are critical components of academic and personal success. Goals provide us with focus, motivation, and a sense of purpose. However, setting objectives is not always easy, and achieving them can be even more difficult. In this post, we'll go over several critical actions to help you develop and achieve academic and personal goals. Establish your objectives. The first step in defining and attaining goals is to identify your objectives. Consider your long-term and short-term goals in both your academic and personal lives. Make sure your objectives are explicit and measurable. Instead of a general objective like "get better grades," pick a specific goal like "raise my GPA from 3.0 to 3.5 by the end of the semester." Make a plan. After you've set your objectives, it's time to devise a strategy to achieve them. Divide your goals into smaller, more doable actions and set a timetable for finishing each one. Make certain that your str...

  For many secondary school students, navigating the college application process and selecting the correct college or university can be a daunting undertaking. With so many possibilities, determining which schools will be the best fit can be tough. You may, however, make informed judgements and locate a college or institution that suits your requirements and ambitions if you take the correct approach. In this post, we'll go over several important stages to assist you navigate the college application process and select the best institution or university for you. Determine your priorities and objectives. Before you begin your search for colleges and universities, consider what you want from your college experience. Take into account your academic interests, career objectives, and personal preferences, such as location and school size. Make a list of your priorities and use it to help you limit your options. Research potential schools Once you have a clear idea of what you're look...