Benjamin Adeniji
Gaining admission into the university of Ibadan is considered a great dream and also seen a herculean task to some individuals. Owing to the limited number of students UI admits per session, aspirants strive hard to put in more effort to be among the admitted students.
The newbies in the school popularly known as freshers, excited and curious about the new world they find themselves in, ranging from the level of freedom to a different life entirely on campus.
In an interview with a fresher who shared experience right from applying for post UTME to being admitted as a political science student of the university of Ibadan. “The adventure has begun ever since the information that UI does not include O’level result in their aggregate score spread out among the aspirants. This led to a great pressure in getting a high jamb score. And for the arrangement of the postUTME questions, it can usually lead to low scores if not properly examined before answering. Passing through the stress of these exams, and even admission feels like relief from a burden until resumption and its great demands stepped in. There is eagerness to resume, however this eagerness was short-lived due to the high level of stress, locating one’s hostel, cleaning, impromptu payments, registrations hit so hard even clashing with classes. These registrations take a lot time to get them done, further making it stressful and frustrating. Despite all these, there is a strong sense of determination to work it through even though school life is not what we see in Nollywood”.
Felicia, a 100-level Political Science student shared her experience on how there is the eagerness to start an academic journey in the university of Ibadan, even before post UTME, the joy of being a political science student, how exciting the first day of school was. “The first day in school was exciting and the structure of the school was impressive and surprising because it was different from what was expected. fetching water is stressful and time consuming as there are lots of things to do. Coping with campus life is overwhelming as there is a need to prioritize some work. The campus building was well arranged and astonishing as one can easily recognize them”
Another fresh student commented on her experience “During registrations, there are worries and stress that goes with it. Worries of trying to meet the deadline, as one must get all required documents ready before registration. The stress begins with the queue, waiting for one’s turn. Walking into the lecture room for the first time was exciting as some lecturers teach well. The first class introduced political science. The lectures were nice while some lecturers were strict, taking the lecture room in hot composure but at least there is the room for understanding what was being taught.
Campus life so far is adventurous to freshers, learning new things daily, different from what they are used to. Some have gotten on tracks, trying to focus on academics in other to achieve academic excellence, while some are yet to know their stance, striving to cope in the new world.
Definitely all fresh students have their experience to share ranging from how their days in the university have been, The first day in school, how the campus has been, registrations, financial life first day in lecture, social activities etc. with the ultimate goal of academic pursuits; time, test, exams, BOL, are metrics to measure if most stick to their ultimate reason for being in school.
