Ogunleye Kolapo Layemi
From “Two weeks is still a long way to go” to realizing “I’m too weak to go into the examination this unprepared”—the reality of exam season has set in. With the much-awaited second-semester examinations just days away, students are caught in a familiar cycle—panic, last-minute revisions, and whispered prayers for a miracle. Some claim to be fully prepared, while others are relying on “vibes and Insha Allah.”
To get a glimpse of how students are preparing for the coming exams, we spoke to several of them about their readiness, strategies, challenges, and expectations.
Self-Assessment: On a Scale of 1-10, How Ready Are You?
If we’re being honest, students can easily quantify their level of preparation—ranging from the super-confident, to the 60%-ready folks, and then the “God abeg” gang.
“Well, I’ll give myself a 4 or 5,” says Leo, a 300-level Political Science student. “If I were still in 100 level, I’d probably be around 8 by now. But at this stage, we’ve learned the ‘UI survival tactics’—you don’t have to be 100% ready to ace your exams.”
Pelumi, a 100-level Economics student, rates himself a 7. “I’ve been preparing for the examination since the start of the semester, so yeah, 7 it is for me.”
“I’d say 4,” says Kehinde, a 100-level Psychology student. She feels unprepared because she hasn’t covered some courses.
So, where do you fall? Are you an exam OG like Leo? A team always ready like Pelumi? Or are you still in the “God abeg” category?
Study Tactics: Cramming, Group Discussions, Loner Reader, or the Night Watchers?
Every student has a go-to study strategy.
“It depends on the situation,” says Esther, a political science student. “If it’s a course I struggle with, I do TDB (Till Day Break) for maximum focus. But if it’s just revision, I use the faculty library or my hall’s reading room.”
“I don’t have a specific reading method,” admits Farouk, an Economics student. “But one thing is clear—I prefer reading alone, especially in a quiet environment. Also, I find it easier to study in my room. TDB? Well, I sometimes read from 10 PM to 3 AM in my room. Does that count as TDB too?” —he laughs.
Favorite Study Spots on Campus
Students have personal reading sanctuaries—some prefer the library, while others stick to their rooms or outdoor spaces like Love Garden.
“I prefer reading at Love Garden,” says Ifeoluwa, a 100-level Political Science student.
“For me, it’s my room,” says Farouk. “All I need is silence, and I’m good to go.”
“I don’t even know where my KDL (Kenneth Dike Library) card is,” Leo admits. “I do most of my reading in my room, so outside of that, I don’t have a preferred spot.”
Of the 15 students interviewed, most prefer reading in their rooms. And my favorite study spot? Well, it’s the now late Heritage Park Garden.
The ‘I Give Up’ Moment
Every student has that moment when the book is not booking, and frustration takes over. Some shared their experiences:
“SOC 104 is it for me. I struggle with mathematics, and this course has a lot of calculations. I’m really just hoping on God,” admits Ebunoluwa.
“So many times,” says Ifeoluwa. “There have been moments I felt like giving up, but I still find the motivation to keep reading.”
Biggest Challenges So Far
Students face different hurdles while preparing for exams. Some struggle with financial constraints (SAPA), others with noisy roommates, and some with poor electricity supply.
Mr. Pelumi, a Geo-Information postgraduate student, voices his frustration: “It gets really ugly when you’re battling unstable power supply—especially when most of your reading materials are on your laptop or phone.”
Ifeoluwa’s biggest challenge? Heat. “I find it very uncomfortable to read when the weather is too hot.”
“My biggest challenge is my phone,” says Esther. “I get easily distracted. You want to check just one message, and before you know it, two hours are gone.”
For Ebunoluwa, it’s friends. “Because I’m so popular in my hostel, people jokingly call my room a ‘hotel.’ Now that exams are near, all these visits are becoming a distraction.”
If Your Exam Preparation Had a Theme Song, What Would It Be?
Music is a big part of student life, and if preparation had a soundtrack, these would be the top picks:
“Ọ́rọ́ mi lọwọ Oluwa lo wa,” says Kehinde, channeling her inner Sunny Ade as she songifies her exam prep.
Esther picks “God Go Run Am.”
Ifeoluwa goes with “It Is Well.”
Leo’s anthem? “God Abeg.”
Pelumi chooses “Favour Raining.”
Words of Wisdom: Advice from Students
“My advice? Start reading ahead. It always helps,” says Kehinde.
“Don’t settle for ‘just let me pass.’ Always aim high,” advises Pelumi.
“The key is knowing yourself,” Ifeoluwa says. “Are you someone who understands a topic after reading it once, or do you need to go over it multiple times? Know what motivates you, and don’t follow the crowd.”
Conclusion: Ready or Not, Here We Go!
With exams just around the corner, students are doing their best to prepare—whether through disciplined study, last-minute panic, or sheer hope. One thing is certain—everyone wants to pass.
