Chapter 6

The pow'r of distraction

Finally it was nearing the end of my first year in college. Christmas was coming up and I was really excited, brought back memories of when I was in UK. The carols, presents, smiles and of course giving thanks to the Lord. But I had to get myself together, because before the holidays came I had to study for a big final exam so I can get my first year certificate. I was getting tensed up and all trying to buckle down and study.

So one month before the exams I had been asking the lecturers for more and more tips, and all they said were "Well, Spire. Here's your tip, Read through all my notes and I'll grantee you pass." I started to feel so Frustrated at that point.. I could visualize it.. A Thermometer Reaching it's top and bursting out.. I thought I had reached my absolute limit of hearing that phrase.. Read my notes, as I looked down I could see my hands stiffening into a fist shape.. Yet with all the pressure I felt I realized that there was no point getting angry over it. After all what they say is true, I took in a deep breath and nodded my head.

One week had past and I haven't had any sleep at all. You could see the bloodshot in my eyes, and the veins popping out of me, due to the lack of sleep, I had eyes like a panda, yet I was weak as a worm. When Sunday approached I went to church and Matthew saw the condition I was in. He asked that If I was ok, and I just said, it was school and all. Later after church they got together with me and prayed over me.

The following Monday I woke up and one of my class mates introduced me to a MMPORPG game, and told me it would release a bit of stress. So I thought I had nothing to lose and tried it out. On that very day I did nothing but play on the MMPORPG game.. I couldn't get myself away from the PC.. I was hooked, never the less he was right it did release a lot of stress.Day in Day out I couldn't stop talking about the game and how amazing it was, let alone playign it non stop... 2weeks past me by, and I had not been keeping track of time.. On the second week of that Sunday whiles I went to church, the pastor was talking about the power of distraction.. He challenged us to study 3 hours a day, and told us how the Devil has only the power of distraction... He will send distractions form every where trying to keep you away from God's blessings.. The more distracted we are the closer we were... Charge through quitting points.. At that moment of time it struck me. OH NO.. God was actually talking to me at that service.. And I realized that 2 weeks had past and my exam was just 1 week away...

I started to buckle down and banned myself from going on the PC.. I told my sisters to use it non stop and pull the plugs and hide them. I made sure I studied, and when I grew tired of studying I would read the bible.. Time past and one night felt like a couple of nights. I fell asleep on my books and woke up of bed the next morning," OH NO!!! I'm late I'm late.." I panicked and ran around trying to get overtaking together. I quickly drove to college recklessly which almost made me meet an accident.

The Day of the exam. I was nevous.. My hands were shaking and I was breaking cold sweat.I took deep breaths and stayed in focus, I could see a whole row of students looking anxiously at the clock.. waiting for it to hit 1:30 the time where the papers would start. and every second got closer all the students in that room gripped tighter and tighter to their pens.. " ALRIGHT EVERYONE YOU MAY BEGIN!" you could here a huge russle like a wave of leaves as the students turned over their first pages.. I was zooming through the papers.. In my head I was relieved.. My studyign paid off all the questions that came out were the same as the questions I studied... As an hour past I could see more and more students passing by me leaving the exam hall with a grin in their faces. I started to get anxious. I wanted to do nothing but to finish the paper as fast as possible.. There was 1 hour left.. And the last half an hour we would not be allowed ot exit the exam hall I thought to myself I want to leave 30 mins before, So I managed to finish the paper in 20 min and took 10 min to check for errors and mistakes. At the 30th minute I waved my paper in the air and gave it to the teacher. as they announced now you may not leave the exam hall until the paper has finished.

I took a deep breath and smiled... Then thought to myself I should not get too distracted again next time.. Even thought I knew I would... And so the holidays have begun...