Yinka’s hands trembled, the weight of the operations management textbook, a reminder of what was to be. Sunlight streamed through the double paned library windows, illuminating aisles of library shelves, computers, students and desks. The library, an amoebic shaped theatre of unending dreams stood at what looked like the centre of the University of Portsmouth, well, at least from experience of roaming the school environment locating different lecture rooms. It was currently a jumble of hopeful strokes, unorganised chatter and frustrated swipes. Yinka bit his lip, the familiar sting of self-doubt pricking his eyes.

“Not good enough” he whispered, the words echoing somewhere in his subconscious. Every re-read line, every wrong calculation seemed to whisper the same thing. Maybe a Masters degree wasn’t for him, maybe his friends were right and he should just stick to car sales, drycleaning, to something safe, something…practical.

A sigh escaped his lips as he slumped into the chair. A mail alert flashed across the computer system. It seemed it was from the university, his department to be specific. Clicking it open, a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. It was results from last semester, he actually scored way above average, in the region of an A student. ”Emi ika’, his thought transformed into a smile, filling up his entire face.

Suddenly, the library air was not choking anymore. It was filled with memories, with the unbridled joy of success. Yinka remembered the pure pleasure of his undergraduate days mixing academics, the thrill of playing football nearly every day, the swings of relationships yet just missing a second class upper degree by a few marks. Back then, believing in himself was effortless.

Taking another look at the mail, Yinka felt a spark ignite within him. It wasn’t about being perfect, it was about the joy of the journey. He grabbed the textbook again, the hard cover cool against his palm. This time, when he read and did the calculations, there was no hesitation.

The theories began to take shape. Each problem solved held the weight of his renewed belief, the determination of an African student rekindled. Hours melted away, the sun dipping below the horizon, painting the sky in evening colours, one that mirrored Yinka’s new found spirit.

Finally, he stepped back, breathless. He had solved and passed all the past questions. It was a testament to his determined spirit, a celebration of believing in himself. In the corner, he sighed it with a flourish, “Hmmmmm”.

As he made his way towards the bicycle park, a new found confidence filled his steps. The path wouldn’t be easy, there would be more doubts, more stumbling but Yinka carried the spark within him. Is there anything like second class upper in masters degree?, ”I would achieve that”, he said to himself as he pedalled into the night. That was all the magic he needed.