I was always amongst the first five in our class during my secondary school days. From people's compliment, I was hardworking, determined and obedient. I had a friend by name Levi. He was my reading partner. We did everything together; solved our maths assignments, looked for specimen for experiment, and participated in debate competitions. In all honesty, Levi and I complemented each other in so many ways.
He was science inclined while I was at ease with Arts. He would take the wheels during science activities while I handled the Arts aspects. Learning became much more easier and going to school looked less frightening and scary. Science subjects lost their intimidating status before me because of my partnership in studies with my friend.
With Levi, I was sure to understand it later during our group studies. After our classes for the day, Levi and I will quickly go through our notes together to ensure the contents sank in. We sometimes went on individual experiment just to see what happens. A case in mind, was the day we arranged dead batteries, put wire and bulb, gbam ! light appeared. As common as it looks now, then, it was my milestone.
That was the situation before uncle Samson came into the picture. Uncle Samson was our new English teacher. We all respected him.
Everyone, including our Principal commended the plausible partnership between Levi and me except uncle Samson. He insisted that I must begin to live in my own space and build a castle for myself. In his words " why would you allow yourself remain at the same position with Levi when you can take charge and be ahead". He sounded concerned and interested in my academic success; as my teacher too, I had to listen. But how can I cope even when the collaborative camaraderie in studies spelt no harm?
Finally, I yielded to his persuasion and put a stop to the group reading, question and answer meetings and began to study on my own. Before long, my grades clash-landed and my studies suffered as a result. Needless to mention that my "unhealthy respect" for Chemistry today started thereafter. I do not know whether knowing uncle Samson was a blessing or a curse to my academic life.
In our world today, there's a strong yearning for talents, skills and knowledge to come together to make a good whole. We can't successfully eradicate, ignore or downplay the power of collaborative co-existence; more so, in the academic setting. Efforts should be made at different levels of education to encourage healthy academic research birthed in collaboration. Students need to understand that no one is an Island of knowledge. Two good heads will always be better than one. If they build " like-minds" circle, more academic exploits would be seen.
