MY ACADEMIC STORY (Vol. 2)

‘I LEARNT HOW TO HAVE FUN AND STILL PASS EXAMS’ 

Temitope Okesanya, 21years of age, graduated from the Department of Petroleum and Gas Engineering with a 4.93 CGPA. He graduated as the second best graduate of the University of Lagos in the 2014/2015 academic session.

Here’s what he had to say:

I was not the brightest kid while growing up; I never won awards neither was I in the top 10 or 15 in the class. I was just an average kid who loved playing. But my parents felt I would do better if I worked hard and read my book. My mum insisted and I had no choice. When in my primary five I started reading, I realized that having a good grade is not as difficult as it seems; it’s just by hard work and determination. Later on, I drove myself. No matter how smart you are, there must be an input to achieve your desired result, just that the input varies from one individual to another based on intellectual strength.

I was the best in my primary and secondary schools. I won some awards and even finished tops in an external competition in my school and I was the best student (Valedictorian) in my secondary school; Caleb International College, Lekki. I had distinctions in all the papers I sat for in my West African Senior School Certificate Examination and I also passed my National Examination Council exam at one sitting. When I wrote the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, I had 273. I was not too pleased initially because I aimed at getting over 300, but when I heard the scores of other people, I became grateful for my own score. I went for one year foundation diploma programme, where I finished with 4.95 CGPA, the highest in engineering for my set and I remember I had only one B. After that, I came into degree programme through Direct Entry in 2011.

I was not a total bookworm. Although people thought I was. My study pattern was not time specific, but I made sure my notes didn’t pile up. I studied every time necessary and I wasn’t a library person. In fact, I did not enter university library until my fourth year and it was to meet someone there. On the average, I slept for an average of four to five hours daily because one needs to rest well to function optimally. Also, I believe all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, so I usually play video games, especially FIFA, and I watched movies to relax. I used to play FIFA on PlayStation with my roommate, Uchenna Ogunka, who also had a first class in mechanical engineering. Whenever people visited and saw us playing FIFA on our PS, they would ask how we were passing our exams. The truth is that we had learnt the secret of how to have fun and still pass exams, which is simple; effective time management. I had time for social activities, but the priority was my book and fellowship activities. Some people even argue that involving yourself in extracurricular activities can affect your grades; this is not entirely true. It depends on the person’s discipline and time management skill.

I would advise undergraduates to keep a low profile when they are new in school and focus on building their GPAs before involving themselves fully in any activity. Until convocation day, some people didn’t believe my grade because they saw me as being very social. In fact, someone exclaimed when he saw my picture on the convocation brochure, “Tope Teflon! So you know book like this?!! It’s a lie!!!” I was able to balance it.

Talking about relationship, I was not involved in any. Funny enough, I had a lot of female friends but I never dated any one of them. I tried not to entangle myself in relationships; I just believe I would not be able to give the required time, dedication, care, priority, etc. because of my other academic and religious commitments, so I wouldn’t hurt the person on a long run.

It is easy for me to remember my GPAs because I had 5.00 in almost all my semesters, safe for just two semesters; I think I had just two B’s all through, both in my second year. Before I got into school, it was already in my plan to graduate with a first class because I had always aimed for excellence, coupled with the fact that I didn’t want to let a lot of people down, especially my family members and my secondary school principal, Dr. Olufowobi, who said I would have no excuse not to finish with a first class.  They all had high expectations and I’m glad I didn’t disappoint them.

Honestly, in my own opinion, having a first class is not as complicated as the society makes it; it’s just proper hard work, effective time planning and making sacrifices. It was not easy though; it involved a lot of sleepless nights, group study and sacrificing a lot for the sake of studying. It’s good when you know what works for you. My motto since high school has been, ‘do not let the notes pile up.’ It meant studying every day after class to make sure it sticks gradually before exams or tests. It is better for students to imbibe this habit than doing a crash study one week to an exam or test. 

It takes real dedication to revise and go through what your lecturer has taught you each day, but it was worth it. During my 500 Level first semester, I practically did not have up to five hours of sleep from Sunday to Friday. I did overnight study all week; from my study table, to the bathroom and to the exam hall and back to my study table, with a brief nap on the study table. I had a 5.00 grade point that semester. my happiest moment was at the convocation ceremony, when my name was being called for about four awards. Apart from being the second best in the entire school, I received awards for being the best in the Faculty of Engineering, best in the Sciences and my department. The atmosphere was terrific, the crowd was cheering and my family was very happy and proud of me. One of the most eventful moments was when they announced my name as the overall best graduating student in the sciences and I got a standing ovation from my colleagues. I don’t think I would ever forget that day.

My advice to students is that there is no truth in the saying that ‘First class is meant for some select few,’ and there are no hard and fast rules to achieving a first class, but there are basic principles for achieving a first class. I believe being a first class student starts from the mind. You have to dream it, want it, consciously work towards achieving it and move with friends with similar goals.

SOURCE/CREDIT: The Punch Newspaper

NOTE: Don’t forget that the important tips are emboldened

His academic story speaks of the following:

ü The fact that you were not the brightest in your primary school does not stop you from being among the brightest in secondary school. Neither does the fact that you were not among the brightest in Secondary school stop you from among the brightest in the tertiary institution. Just realize what you’re not doing! Wake up and get to work!

ü Hard work, making sacrifices, Dedication, Diligence and Determination!

ü Discipline and effective time management (avoiding procrastination & distractions, working, playing and resting when you ought to)

ü Ability to study hard

ü Self-discovery to know what works for you

ü Foresight (setting targets and making plans)

With all the above mentioned points put into action and use, success is at your door step!

Volume 3 coming soon….