It was a long afternoon, my classmates and I just wrapped up our senior high graduation practice and we sat at our seats inside an empty classroom with chairs on the walls.
We wanted to go home, but we were waiting for an important announcement on who was going to be on the honor roll.
After some time, my adviser walked in and started announcing names and my name wasn’t on it.
At that moment in my life, I felt betrayed.
I poured my heart, my soul, and my blood on getting through the honor roll. But, for what? Nothing!
I met the grade point average, exceeded it even.
Yet, I was held back by one subject for a decision that would forever haunt me.
Two years before the graduation, we had a test. It was a practical exam that consisted a major part of our grade.
I didn’t study (wasn’t able to), so I struggled a lot. However, there came an opportunity straight in my face.
An answer sheet.
Inside, I was in a dilemma should I cheat or not? I decided not to. By the end of that decision, I learned that I failed the exam and got a failing grade.
I didn’t know it at the time but when the time to compute for who gets into the honor roll came around, that failure to act in the moment-to cheat, became my downfall.
Who would’ve known that I had traded my honor, for “honor”.
I chose my integrity over a spot on an honor roll, and I deeply regret it.
One must understand that when you get into the honor roll, you’ve had plenty of doors opened up to you. Scholarship opportunities, prestige, and a future.
Should have I cheated back then? Present me would say yes.
The practical benefits you would get over integrity is a hundred times better than being stuck in situation you can’t escape.
That’s when I deeply internalized if given an opportunity to have an upper ground in life take it, use it. Doesn’t matter the means. Deal with the consequence, but know damn well that you made the best option for yourself.
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