By Ayandare Ibrahim
The university ecosystem is a complex domain that encompasses more than just academics and provides a wide range of activities that are essential to the university’s survival and growth. While engaging in these activities can enhance the educational experience, they can also hurt grades, especially in the second semester. Using the University of Ibadan as a case study, two significant events that occur during the second semester—elections and social gatherings—stand out as possible distractions.
Elections: University elections are conducted to elect student representatives for various positions in the student body, departments, faculty, and residence halls. These elections are an integral part of the democratic process and provide an opportunity for students to exercise their voting rights while choosing their leaders. The election process consists of nomination, campaigning, and voting stages, overseen by an election commission to ensure fairness and transparency. The results of the election are then announced, and the elected representatives take up their roles to serve the interests of the student community. Students are given a voice in decision-making and a sense of belonging through this democratic process. A crucial component of these elections is the promotion of candidates and campaigning, which involves students in university governance.
Social Activities: Social activities are occasions and get-togethers planned to help students socialize outside of the classroom. These activities promote socialization, friendship-building, and the growth of a campus community. They can range from intimate get-togethers to big events like concerts, parties, sporting events, and cultural festivals. They contribute to a well-rounded university experience and offer a break from the demands of academia.Even though these events are essential to the university setting, some students find it difficult to reconcile them with their academic obligations. Here’s a cautionary story about a student who did well in class the first semester but struggled academically because of a second-semester election involvement. The election’s close loss had significant psychological and academic effects, causing a potential first-class grade to drop to a second-class lower grade.There are many similar tales of academic failures connected to election-related activities, which emphasizes how important it is for students to successfully manage these distractions.However, social interactions also frequently provide a break from the demands of school. The second semester is jam-packed with events sponsored by the Students Union, faculties, departments, and residence halls, including sporting contests, concerts, variety nights, and parties. However, some students run the risk of getting too involved in these activities and losing focus on their academic goals.Every student needs to learn how to manage their time between extracurricular activities and their academic obligations. Beyond academics, university life involves networking, personal development, and participating in various activities as representatives of the school and parents.Our next article will discuss how to find a healthy balance between learning and taking part in other required university activities.
