05/09/2026
Remembering 2014 G11 Moment the turn around Decision
My G10 academic start was not so good, relaxed and performance was so pathetic such that the Teacher of Accounts Mr Chavula was always on me and the class took a share in throwing tantrums and could feel so out of place in class.
Fast forward to Grade 11 in 2014 in term 2 at Kawambwa Boys Technical Secondary we were writing tests in those 1963 built buildings G11 Section. My Friends, Brian Mutale,Sitali Sitali and I were beaten by the tests and I do recall standing by the Ablution block opposite 12 E my class with these gentlemen, complaining and lamenting over our trajectory of failure and the looming danger of the final exams.
It was that bad, we looked at each other with long faces, asking one another deep thought provoking questions as to why others are doing fine in the same class,same teacher, same prep time, same meals at the di**le and in the moment we were trying to find a solution to our situation. On that day, I recall, Brian who was senior by age amongst us suggesting that we resort to sleeping in the classrooms after normal prep time and jokingly we all agreed.
The decision was made, after the normal prep from 18:00-20:30 we would retreat to the Hostels, I was at Luapula hostel wing 1, have some snacks( Nzanzi: Kandolo,Tute and some zig) and take up a blanket and the program kicked off that very day at even time, we sneaked in 11 E , the goal was to study the whole night right through morning prep which started at exactly 03:45—05:30. Did we sleep? yes we slept on those wooden desks and chairs in the cold of the night the three of us, for how long? just an hour or so to cool off the brain and wake up for a marathonic study session. It was strange and a name was born AJ ( Abnormal Jobber)
As crazy as the idea was, it worked wonders, consistently, doing the same from term 2 G11 To Term 3 G12 on 2 October,2015 which was the last day.
In this period I also spent nights in the library with my Friend gift Chomba now an engineer who at the time was the Academic prefect and had access to the library 24/7.
It is from that experience that I believe in the power of consistent commitment to studying and prolonged hours of study, if you are an average person, you need to be sincere with yourself and commit yourself to more time to books, a little sacrifice here and there, nothing beats consistency and well organized study plans and strategies.
From where I stand, I call on you to give yourself wholly to studying and researching, it may be uncomfortable at first but the benefits are immerse , G11,10 and 12 what sacrifice are you going to put in? I put in 9hours at maximum in daily studying and minimum of hours daily, unbroken cycle, and rest at intervals.
Time is 24 hours.,,. How much are you giving academia?
There only best way out of academic woes is facing your books head on, attending class and participate in all learning activities.
Leakages are never reliable....
Katunga Ngosa ( Bana Ciwelele AJ96 old Prof was my nickname those days).