CNF#139........ Project of Thorn

“You have been divided into groups and your names will be pasted on the notice board so you can know who your project supervisor is.” my HOD said. My Head Of Department was a very nice person, he never wanted any student in his department to fail any course during his tenure.

I was in my final year and about to write my project, I was expecting a very good supervisor. When I saw my name among those to be supervised by Mr. Anthony, I was very happy because Mr. Anthony happened to be one of the best lecturers in my department.

We were asked to submit our project topics to him. He told us write on three topics and one will be chosen out of it. It was easy at first because my supervisor asked me to choose the topic I would be able to write about very well. I chose a topic on conflict, since I had text books that woulf help me carry out the project.

I submitted my proposal which was approved without stress. My supervisor asked me to proceed to chapter one which happened to be the introduction of the topic I was writing on. My chapter one was okay according to my supervisor which means it was approved.

I did not have any problem with my proposal and introduction but after chapter one, my chapter two which was a review of related literature began giving me issues. I did my research with the help of my textbooks and the internet and got what I needed for the review of the literature. After writing, I went to my supervisor for approval but he said that I should submit and leave. He said that he would send for me after going through it.

After three days, I was in the lecture hall when one of my course mates, who was supervised by the same lecturer, came to call me.

“Faith, Mr. Anthony is calling you.”

“Do you know why he is calling me? I asked with curiosity.

“I don't know, I was only there to pick my project and he asked me to call you.”

“Okay, thank you Agnes.” I replied.

I left immediately to his office without wasting time since I was curious to know why he was calling me. On getting to his office, I saw him with a file in his hand and he was opening it one after the other.

“Good afternoon Sir.” I greeted. Looking up he saw I was the one, he smiled a little before going back to what he was doing.

“Faith, do you know that you choose a very nice project topic but this your review is not giving me what I want. Conflict is a very broad topic and what you submitted is not enough. You have to go and do more research.” He concluded by handing over my file to me.

I could not say a word, I collected the file and left the office with a sad look on my face. It was not easy for me to come up with the review but my supervisor was not satisfied. I went home that day and started doing more research to come up with something tangible.

Two days later, I went back to his office to submit but he was not on seat. It was his secretary I met so she asked me to drop it so that she would submit it for me. After some days, I went to pick up my project because I wanted to finish everything on time before leaving the campus.

To my greatest surprise, when I opened the file to check whether it has been approved so that I can move on to the next chapter, I was shocked when I saw Do more research written boldly. “Why is this man frustrating me?” I asked no one in particular.

“Why is he becoming a thorn in my flesh?” “What does this man want me to do?” All these were the questions I asked myself but I got no answer.

I decided to go and see him to know if he could just approve it so that I can proceed to the next chapter.

“Sir please what do you want me to do, because i have submitted this chapter three good times now and you are still asking for more review.”

“Yes, because you are not reviewing your work well,” he responded.

“Please sir, I've done more research like you asked me to and this is what I could get. Please sir just approve it for me so that I can go to the next chapter.” I pleaded almost in tears.

“Faith, I asked you to choose the topic you will be able to write on and you choose this so go and do more research.” He said without mixing words.

I couldn't say a word again, so I left his office with tears in my eyes. The lecturer I liked so much became a thorn in my flesh for no good reason.

Although I took his advice and went to do more extensive research on my chosen topic but the stress involved was not here. I spent a lot of money plus time and energy. There were many sleepless nights spent as well as I tried to gather a lot of information to please Mr Anthony.

When he finally approved it, I was almost at my wit's end. Thank goodness he finally approved it and I was able to complete my project.

I doubt that I would ever forget this ordeal.

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Thank you all for reading.

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