<p>You’ve woken up at 6 am and your emotions are high,</p><p>It’s sign out day. You get ready and take it all in.</p><p>You’re waiting for the moment you tell your friends good bye,</p><p>You’re waiting for the moment you drop your pen and grin.</p><p><br/></p><p>You’ve dressed your very best,</p><p>Hair, shoes, makeup and the rest.</p><p>You’ve come to school, you’ve seen your peers,</p><p>You’re smiling so hard it almost brings you to tears.</p><p><br/></p><p>You’ve never liked this school or the four years you spent here,</p><p>You’ve hated the lectures, assignments and everything else that brought fear.</p><p>But today is the one of those days you’re truly happy.</p><p><br/></p><p>The invigilators are here, exam papers arrive,</p><p>They’re early and shockingly you’re not even angry,</p><p>It’s the best paper you’ve ever written and it’s also your last,</p><p>It’s the best paper you’ve written and it’s also sign out day.</p><p><br/></p><p>The energy outside is loud and high,</p><p>There’s cheering, screaming and shouting. </p><p>There’s pictures, gifts and music,</p><p>There’s hugs, pecks and tears. </p><p>This is what it feels like to be done. </p><p><br/></p><p>But then it’s all over and you’re back home. </p><p>Your parents are in the living room with their awaiting speech.</p><p>It’s time to talk about your future. Or rather it’s time for them to plan it. </p><p><br/></p><p>“You’re no longer a child. Life has started.”</p><p>Three simple words, one heavy sentence. </p><p>They throw the next steps at you without pausing, </p><p>NYSC, Job application, Masters. </p><p>It’s not even up to you to choose, it’s up to them.</p><p>Yet minutes ago, they said you’re no longer a child.</p><p><br/></p><p>Why do they need to decide, why do they need to demand?</p><p>I thought you’re no longer a child?</p><p><br/></p><p>Suddenly you’re in another battle,</p><p>The battle of choosing your next step,</p><p>If you’re even allowed to.</p><p>The options around you are too many,</p><p>And your parents have a dozen opinions about what they think is best for you.</p><p><br/></p><p>You didn’t know you ended four years of war to start another one,</p><p>You didn’t know your next big step already came, </p><p>Right after you submitted your final papers,</p><p>Right after you took pictures with your friends,</p><p>Right after you posted, “This user has signed out.”</p>