The Diary Game || 21-07-25 || Writing my Last Examination as an Undergraduate in the University

Monday, July 21, 2025 — my sign-out day.

The day started with rain. The kind that makes everything dull and lazy. The sky wasn’t bright, and honestly, even most of our pictures came out looking like we were inside a filter. But deep inside me, the joy was shining brighter than the weather.

After everything — the stress, the failures, the “make-up” classes, and the night preps — I finally signed out as a student of Chemistry Education, University of Uyo.

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The Memo That Tried to Kill Our Joy

Before our final exam, a disturbing announcement came in — no signing on white shirts, no sign-out activity. And just like that, the spirit of excitement started disappearing. Some students even kept their white shirts folded back in their bags.

But as for me?

Strong mind!
I had already decided — this day must be celebrated. So when I finished my paper, I became the first to bring life back into the moment. I shouted:

“Strong mind ooo! Sign me! Sign me abeg!”

I started walking around like a bold canvas and slowly, others joined in. In minutes, markers were flying around, people were laughing again, and the fun returned. I had to lead by example — and I’m glad I did.

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NDDC Hostel: Security, Structures & Serious Laughter

We all moved to NDDC Hostel, that classic fine spot where final year students go for perfect pictures.

What greeted us?

Men with guns.
Security guards standing like statues, probably sent there because of a threat from some department — maybe Engineering — that caused the school to panic. It made sense, especially with the earlier "no sign-out" announcement.

Despite the tension, things were peaceful.

And it was there — at NDDC Hostel — that we, chemistry students, had a bright but hilarious idea: Let’s form ethene for a group picture.

Yes, ethene! Two carbon atoms, double bonded, no hydrogens. 😂

It flopped.

Then we shouted, “Let’s form benzene na! Let’s form ring!!”

Still flopped.

We kept shifting positions, forming weird angles, shouting things like “You’re carbon 4!” “You dey spoil the hexagon!” “No stand dia!” 🤣

Everyone wanted to teach chemistry, but nobody could organize the ring. At the end, we just laughed hard and took our normal pictures. No benzene ring, but 100% chemistry.

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The Letter That Melted My Heart

While the energy was still high, Jephthah, a fellow course mate and Steemit user (aka bossj23) called me and handed me something.

It was a handwritten, designed note — addressed to me: Aniekeme.

When I read it, my smile grew deep. He wrote:

"You were my first friend in this journey but it's sad to say that we're no longer double bond. My bad though. Every inch of my school life in year one and two was spent with you. You would also purchase snacks for both of us, and anywhere you went, I was seen there as well. I can remember when we walked together from University of Uyo permanent side gate to Mwangiba fountain just to purchase a broken lab apparatus. Your laughter was healing to my bones and I considered you as my brother and friend.

Can you remember?
You told me you want to manufacture soaps and that I should come and witness how you did it. When I came, you introduced me to Neo life....hahahaha"

Those memories hit. I remembered everything. And in that moment, I realized this sign-out wasn’t just about graduation — it was also about the people we shared this journey with. Jephthah is the one immediately after that touching and emotional letter. He was really my guy when we started as newbies and what he said was all right 👍

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My Brother Showed Up Like a King 👑

Facebook

Facebook

Not long after that, my brother arrived.
He didn’t just sign me out — he celebrated me and my closest friend Marvelous, popularly known in this community as edu-chemist, in a way we didn’t expect. He arranged an interview for us, took us out to a beautiful location to take pictures, and ended it with a fine restaurant treat.

I felt loved. I felt seen. I felt like I did something truly important.

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My Street Was Waiting for Me

By the time I got home, the love didn’t stop.
Unfortunately I couldn't collate all the pictures because most of those beautiful moments where not captured with my own phone camera. How I wish all those moments are safe with me in my phone gallery.

From the beginning of my street down to my compound, I was stopping by stores, homes, fashion places — people were signing me out like I was a local celebrity 😅. Everyone participated. Everyone shared in my joy.

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Final Words

I’ll miss everyone. My colleagues, my friends, the ones I spent countless hours studying with. The memories won’t fade.

And even though — like Jephthah said — we’re no longer double bonds, I believe we’re all still part of the same ring that made this journey memorable.

So to every Chemistry student, and every final year student reading this…

Don’t let a memo or bad weather kill your moment.

Have a strong mind. Celebrate your journey. And sign out loud.

— Aniekeme aka deportal

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@bosj23
@edu-chemist
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