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Latwell Nyangu

Youth Interactive Writer

As you wake up every morning going to college, think about that parent or guardian who is paying your school fees.

One of the most painful moments for a parent struggling to make ends meet is seeing their children being turned away for not having paid tuition fees.

Many times, I have seen parents or guardians running around to settle the fees and being unable to pay fees and other education expenses keeps many children out of school. But despite all the challenges,  parents and guardians go out of their way to save for their child’s fees.

After paying the fees, they have to confront the fear of failure. It is an unpleasant and unwanted experience for both parties.

While undesirable, failure is a normal and necessary part of life. Yet, many people will go to significant lengths to avoid failure because the emotions we can feel as a result can be so painful. 

When we fail, we can experience a range of uncomfortable emotions such as shame, disappointment, sadness, worry, anger, and embarrassment, amongst others.

These emotions hurt, and our instincts are often to escape from by suppressing or avoiding them. Many parents over the years have had the initial reaction of shock or even despair upon hearing that their child was having academic problems in college.

 Above all, the pain is worsened by the thought of having wasted fees over the years.

Each time you are at the campus, spare a thought for the person who is paying your fees.

I have paid fees for myself during my previous studies and I know the sacrifice, but much respect goes to my parents for the sacrifice they made during their days when they paid my tuition fees.

This week, I am dedicating this column to all the fees financiers for the scholar to go to college.

Many thanks to all of you.

When you leave home going to attend lectures, spare a thought for the sacrifices made by your fees financier. 

Each time you are scrambling to get into a ZUPCO bus, spare a thought for someone who is paying your fees.

If you are paying for yourself, you are a hero, well-done. 

If your parents or guardians are paying, blessed be them, if you are on scholarship, hail the sponsor. 

If you have ‘others’ who are paying, thank them in your own way. Parents and guardians are the backbone of the children and the family. They are the source of endless love and support throughout the life of a child and also the guiding star for a better future.

As such, an appreciation tor the parents goes a long way to make them feel good and happier. The best appreciation for the parents is through performing well at school.

When you go to school, do your best.

As parents, it is important to remember the impact that you are making, especially during the time when your children start going to college. 

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves to take each day as it comes, and to enjoy the small victories and the special moments.

 Although being a parent can be hard at times, it is full of intrinsic value and gratification as you influence and impact your child’s life.

One thing that excites a parent or guardian who is paying fees is seeing good results from their child. I have seen many scholars finding it difficult to go home with a poor report.

It’s one of the frightening moments, to take home such a report. But well, the world is changing very fast. 

Gone are the days, when parents would beat you for failing, and with the contemporary times within us, things have changed as it is no longer easy to just beat a child.

Children are no longer being ‘beaten’ due to the rights proclamations, but when you go home with a poor report, spare a thought for the tuition fees financier.

The previous week saw many learners sitting for their end of semester exams and best results will excite both parties.

Sometimes life gets in the way. It’s not all over if you flunk the exams or you lost out on your top choice. You won’t be the only one! Take a deep breath and recover before you do anything else.

But the pain of the fees payer is unbearable. When you pass, you feel on top of the world, the same with the parent who is paying for your fees. The awesomeness of the feeling is indescribable.

The schools have been repeatedly calling parents to pay fees and in trying to solve that issue, many have approached the authorities to negotiate for payment plans.

Its common that every parent or guardian faces problems say when schools open.

The moment you get to the campus, bear with the tuition fees payer, you ought not to waste every moment you get at college.

Passing is the only way you can pay back to your fees financier. 

Many students tend to forget the purpose of being at college, yet they are not the ones paying for the fees.

“Follow your passion”, is one of the most frequently repeated bits of advice not only for high school juniors beginning the college process; but also, for the many adults unsatisfied with their careers.

We develop passion for what we do over time, rather than starting out with a clear, defined passion for a particular career goal. 

Entering college, I knew I would have to take the same basic courses required for all college students, but I did not understand why I had to spend several hours each evening studying different topics —the bottom line being to pass.

College remains that wild pool where everyone desires to be, but whatever you do, spare a thought for that parent who is paying for your fees!