By:Ajayi Toyyib
Well, the tradition of every finalists on their last paper aftermath final exams is like a music played in auto repeat because every students like every other tertiary institutions across the country do sign and make autograph on plain white shirt to signify the end of that academic program. My account as a fresher though in 2019, I was gazed, enthusiastic and jealous while watching the felicitation amongst final year students on their last paper day, I was like wow! They are actually in celebration mood, and the signing on the plain-white round neck really makes sense on them, despite the fact that I’m unconscious of the circumstances surrounding their appearance and activities on that day.
Thinking ahead of various factors, a deep sigh of my seat placed in the fence while my fingers are crossed in my emotions, as finalists from various faculties had their last paper in commemoration of this same tradition, this thought brought a question within myself, ” Is it truly that the blue atmosphere after writing final exam paper actually worth it?
Even when you are not sure of getting good grades in that course, while signing, is that the end of your schooling? Yes, it might be a day of joy to finish that very stressful sessions, but I thought you said the finalists week(FYB) was meant to merry in celebration as a stress free week it is?
Well, I’m not saying the idea of the day tagged sign out day is bad, but I feel there is still more to the world out there compared to how much finalists emulate this day. Even as an ND finalists, some will have no opportunity to further their education, while some will process a direct entry into universities and some will have to write JAMB again for them to further. Some females might even get married after National Diploma and that’s the end of their study, while others probably because of financial constraints will have to stop there and fully go into a handiwork of their choice. At least to some extent I see the need why this category of people should partake in the activities of this day.
Hmmm! Just because of “Sign out” day, Many students ensures that they engage in the activities of this day through whatever means. And this is a case by which students disturb their parents that they are asked to pay money for castle built in the sky, mummy I need to pay SEWAGE fee before this weekend, dad I need to pay so so so amount for GC2, so as to source for money to get sign out hoodies, the white round neck itself, marker, foot wears, makeup as well as money to make beautiful hair, and those that are not opportune to blackmail their parents will start billing their boyfriends.
However, it is usually after a hot seat of the last paper that the scene of sign out begins, with a marker given to friends that are around as they use it to demarcate any writings of their choices on each finalists white clothes, some might even start a party and go nice places including eateries and clubs with their signed white on them. And above all, students love making memories with this, as they take a lot of pictures (personal and group pictures) to cheer themselves.
All in all, the ideal fact still remains that we meet to depart and vice versa if possible. And as finalists, we are all going out there to explore the world differently despite the same course of study but one thing that should ring in our mind is, Sign Out of the institution and Sign in to make the world a better shape.
