A life long lesson.

Growing up, my choice of friends was based on how good their fashion sense were. I had a lot of
friends because of my “friendship preference.” I enjoyed it—or so I thought. Some of those friends were
fun, intelligent and outgoing. But I never realized how much harm a bad choice of friends could cause.

The new term in high school had just begun. I was in my 8th grade. The morning was silent, and
rising from the bed was a struggle for me. Overcoming this struggle, I stood up with hands akimbo, then
prepared for school. The school had a new color on its walls, turquoise blue. The environment appeared
very clean as the teachers were modestly dressed in black suits and black shoes, standing at the
entrance of each classroom door. Few minutes after I had had my seat, a group of girls strolled in
majestically into the class. I was impressed by their charisma insomuch that I was attracted to them.
Surprisingly, they wanted me in their band too. Our friendship grew into walking home together, sitting
together in class, playing all kinds of games, wearing same clothes, and going to parties, doing virtually
everything together.

As a consequence of the decision I made to be friends with the most popular girls in school—Linda,
Ruth and Chinaza, my school grade dropped. Their unhealthy influence affected my academic prowess;
part

Before, I knew what was happening my grade began to drop because I no longer take my studies as
serious as I use to. My teachers began to complain,they became very dissapointed at my poor grade in
my school work. At some point, I had to go for counselling ,have my mentors help me through just to
make sure that I change.During this process, I began to study again, do assignments and attend classes
because all eyes were on me, I had no choice even my friends had to stay away from me in fact we all
stayed away from each other because the school authority was ready to expel any student who didn't
take his/her studies seriously as well as either encourages undiscipline,so we were all trying to avoid
that.

Three weeks later, we all agreed to go partying at Chi-baby date's birthday party.We finally attended
the party. At the party we saw our principal,she had been invited by Stanley's mum who was her best
friend.

"What a world, who could have thought that the Principal would be present at such party? And we
have been warned not to be together again". These were our words to each other as soon as we and the
principal meet each other.

The next morning,We all prepared and went to school separately. We were all afraid of what will happen
next because we already knew the principal was going to take action as regards to her instructions for us
to stay away from each other.We all could not help but to imagine what her next step would be like, the
kind of punishment we will be getting. Days passed, the principal didn't do a thing,she didn't even invite
any of us to get office and so we were became very excited,we felt like our burden has been taken away.
After a week,My parent were both invited to the school by the school authority where they discussed my
change of attitude towards my studies as well as my resent bad attitude and relationship with my
friends. After much talking, the principal decided that we should all be suspended for at least two weeks.
And then come back up take the terms examination, if we pass then we can proceed but if we feel then
we are don't then we might be ask to withdraw.

At the close of the meeting, my parent took me home along with them as instructed by the principal. As
soon and we got home my parents sat me down and talked to me, they made it clear that they were
both disappointed with me and that they sent me to school to learn not to make friends .Even if I want
too make friends I should learn to choose my friends wisely.

As I thought of my past choices and the way I choose my friends I realised that they were never a good
example in my life at that time rather it was a bad influence and its really affected me negatively even
though I wanted had good parent.Yet, I never understood why and how the choice of friends could lead
to until I learnt my lesson which was indeed a life learning lesson to me and to everyone around me.

One rainy Tuesday, I stumbled upon a quote that read, "Self esteem is a personal responsibility
but the friends you keep can determine how well you appreciate all the good virtues you have. Your
friends build your confidence". Making the right choice could sometimes appear as the most difficult
thing to do in life. It was more challenging when as a youth, I had to struggle with choosing the right
friend and as such I had to face the consequence of my choice.