Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the wordpress-seo domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/bcm/src/dev/www/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121 uni students | Zikoko!
A lot of Gen-Z Nigerians grew up watching Nollywood movies that centred a lot on the University experience and campus life. Some of those movies may have gingered you to want to enter University. However, we were not expecting to be lied to, bamboozled, and led astray by Nollywood.
1) Hostels
What kind of hostels were used in those movies? Because it definitely wasn’t any federal University hostels. The hostels in Nollywood were too clean, organized and not crowded. Nollywood movies would have two or three girls in a room and that was it. While in real life, some schools have as many as 8 or 9 students in a room.
2) Normal class times
I think the biggest lie Nollywood told was that University classes started at normal times of the day like 9 a.m. or even 10 a.m. Unlike real life where some people start classes by 7:30 a.m. Nollywood should please.
3) Lack of bad boys
Nollywood promised me a Jim Iyke type boy that would be completely enamoured by me and worship the ground I walk on. I got none of that. They even went as far as promising a love triangle between the notorious cultist and the small town village boy. Where is it? The lack of well known bad boys that usually come late to class in singlet and sagging shorts with a bandana tied around their neck or head is really stressing me and my homegirls.
The characters in these Nollywood movies seemed so excited to be alive. This is very unlike University life where the collective will to live of your entire department can fit into one of those mini bags. A lot of University students do not want to be alive, so how come the ones in Nollywood do? Something is not right.
5) Lack of bad girl bullies
Not only are there hardly any bad boys, there is also a scarcity of bad girls. Sure there are baddies and slay Queens, but what about the girls that are meant to be bullying others because they did not have the latest phones. Where are the girls that go around school reminding everyone else that they stink of poverty?
6) Children of powerful government officials
The biggest lie Nollywood told was that a Senator’s child will attend the same Federal University as the child of a civil servant. Whereas, majority of them schooled outside the country. How did they convince us that the President’s daughter would be in a Federal University? If any of them were to even school in Nigeria, it will be in one of those Universities that cost millions of naira to attend. The leaders are scared that the people might take their anger out on their children.
I was expecting drama, suspense, intrigue, but I got none of that. Apparently, the fear of rustication hinders anyone from fighting inside the campus. Why then did Nollywood always show the two top “big girls of campus” bitchslapping each other because of a man?
Students in Nigerian universities have stories to tell, but hardly anyone to tell them to. For our new weekly series, Aluta and Chill, we are putting the spotlight on these students and their various campus experiences.
University life comes with a lot of pressure. At the top of it is the pressure to stay in school until it’s time to graduate. To make this happen, you need to pass your courses. It’s not a big deal until you remember that some courses, for myriad reasons, are designed to give even the brightest students a tough time. This is something I thought I should explore this week. So, I spoke to some students at University of Uyo and asked them to talk about the toughest course they’ve dealt with. This is what they said;
Unyimeobong – I had three lectures at the same time
I took this Biochemistry course when I was in 200 level. I’m not even studying Biochemistry, but my department said we had to register for the course. I knew something was brewing when I saw the performances of the previous set and found out that a sizable chunk of the class failed.
The problem started with the timetable. I had three classes scheduled for the same time. The university has three campuses and each of these courses had their venues on a different campus. I’m still not sure how they expected me to wing that. It was hard to keep up with all the classes, so I missed out on most of what they did.
The few times I made the Biochemistry class, the lecturer just came in, said a few things, and dropped a material for us. Unfortunately, I could never understand the content of the materials. When it was time to write the exam, I went into the hall knowing that I was essentially unprepared.
I hoped that I would get a D, but that didn’t happen. I failed the course and had to register for it again the following year. Luckily, the arrangement was better the second time — different lecturers took the course and that proved to be what I needed. I wrote the exam again and that was the last time I had to worry about this course.
Ima – I couldn’t keep up with the lectures
This happened with a prerequisite course, which was also a non-departmental course. I’m studying Food Science and Technology and the course was in the Faculty of Engineering. I lost interest in the course from the first day I attended the class. The lecturer came in and assumed that everyone in the class was well-grounded in engineering basics. It went downhill from there.
For the entire time the class ran, I could hardly relate to anything. I didn’t understand why I had to register for it in the first place. So, I practically couldn’t care less about the course. I couldn’t push myself to learn anything from the classes. That definitely didn’t end well.
I wrote the exam the first time and failed it. I can’t say that I was surprised that it happened. When I had to re-register the following year, I knew that I had to figure out a way to wing it — not that I was interested in it, but I didn’t think I would survive it if I had to go to the classes in my third year. So, I turned to tutorials and attended as many as I could. It was a lot of stress and mental torture. I wrote the exam again and I passed this time. I wasn’t ecstatic, I was just relieved that it was over.
Mary — I had a weird lecturer
This story happened in my third year. The course was somewhat odd — you either pass brilliantly or fail woefully. I didn’t understand why this happened until I started attending the classes. The lecturer is from Akwa Ibom state and had something against “foreigners”. He taught all his classes in Ibibio and he knew that not every student in the class understood the language.
That wasn’t even the weirdest part. This man liked to make unnecessary jokes all the time. He could spend the whole lecture commenting on how a girl dressed and whatnot. It didn’t help that some students encouraged this behaviour.
If anyone complained about his teaching, he would ask them to tell him the state they came from and if the answer was not Akwa Ibom, he would ask them why they couldn’t go to a university in their state.
I understood Ibibio, but that did little to help me. He hardly taught us anything related to the course. His lectures were consistently a waste of time. To make things worse for everyone, he didn’t give any material out, even though he always brought a textbook to class.
I was the assistant course rep and my classmates thought he liked me, so they asked me to get close to him and get the material by any means possible. They wanted me to be the sacrificial lamb and that didn’t sit well with me.
So yes, the course was very difficult to deal with. It didn’t help that a lot of people who had carried the course over were attending classes with us. However, I always knew that I couldn’t fail the course. Luckily, I had a window to take pictures of topics from the textbook he brought to class and I took the opportunity. I added that to the breadcrumbs he’d given us in class and that did the trick. I wrote the exam and got an A.
Zamani — The lecturer expected us to figure everything out
I’m very proactive and I ask for help when I need it. So, when I went to some of my senior colleagues and they didn’t have good news for me about a course I had to take in my third year, I understood that I was in a mess. Unfortunately, it was a compulsory course and I couldn’t drop it and take another. I knew it was going to be near impossible to ace the exams, but I braced myself and gave it everything I had.
The course wasn’t exactly difficult, but the lecturer’s approach to teaching was a big disservice to every student in the class. The course involved a lot of calculations and the lecturer skipped everything that remotely looked like that. Apparently, he expected us to figure those bits out.
We were in for a rude shock on the day we wrote the exams. All 6 questions required us to make extensive calculations. Man, it was a sad day. I decided that I couldn’t kill myself and just did the little I could. It was certain that I was going to carry over the course but something happened and I got a D. Normally, that wasn’t something I would be proud of, but it was enough for me to move on totally from the course. And that’s all I wanted.
Can’t get enough Aluta and Chill?Check back every Thursday at 9 AM for a new episode. Find other stories in the series here.
In the months leading up to my first year in Uni, I prepared to have the time of my life. I was going to attend tons of parties and stay out past my curfew because I could. I’d also balance being a wild party girl with getting straights As and graduating with a first class in Law. In reality, I spent 80% of my time in Uni sleeping or eating. And I think it goes without saying that I didn’t get that first class.
Its been a couple of years since I left Uni and a whole other generation currently make up the larger percentage of University students than mine did. This week I talked to a nineteen-year-old in her third year whose struggles still sound a whole lot like mine.
Was getting into Uni hard?
Not really. I wrote JAMB and post jamb but I didn’t make the cutoff for law. Luckily I wrote the diploma exam and passed that. Most of us who did diploma ended up crossing over.
What course are you studying?
Law, I’m in my third year in UNILAG.
Did you pick it out yourself?
I don’t even know, I think I was brainwashed. My dad is a lawyer so since I was young I’ve been chanting ‘I want to be a lawyer, I want to be a lawyer’. I don’t think my dad will have opposed me reading anything else but I think he should have sat me down and talked about my options. Let me know that it wasn’t enough to want to a lawyer just because he was a lawyer. There was a Guidance and Counselling department in my secondary school that was supposed to help with that sort of thing but they were completely useless. As far as they were concerned if you were in Art class you should read Law. Science class? Medicine and that’s it.
Biggest struggle so far?
My biggest struggle is actually just waking up in the morning and going for class. Ok, I don’t know if it’s my biggest struggle but it’s the first one that popped in my head when you asked this. I’m only doing 5 courses this semester so it’s not like I even have a whole lot of classes to go for. The problem is my hostel is outside school. I have to walk to the gate, join the queue for cab, get to the main campus and walk again to my faculty. It’s a little stressful. I’ve been trying to get my parents to give me a car, but they said I’m spoiled. If they could see my daily struggle they’ll realise it’s a necessity.
No sexual harassment?
It’s only God that has been saving me because 1 in every 5 girls I know has been through some shit. My friend in English had to bring her mum to beg her lecturer to stop harassing her. And she couldn’t even do it in a ‘stop harassing me’ way. Her mum had to tell the lecturer to please see her daughter as his own daughter and treat her like his own daughter before he stopped sending disgusting text messages to her. She’s even lucky he stopped because some won’t have.
I have friends who never go to Ransome Kuti and Ozolua at night because they think they’ll get raped. I have friends there so I know it’s not that bad but I can’t say their fears are baseless. Anytime I want to see any of my friends who stay in High-rise BQs and I see a lot of boys at the entrance I just turn back because the last time I tried to walk between them someone touched my breast.
What still excites you about Uni?
Getting good grades. This makes me sound like an efiko but I’m actually not. But seeing just As and Bs when your result comes out our passing a course everyone else failed always gives me the best rush.
Want to talk about your grades?
My grades are pretty decent. I’m on a 2:1 and the worst grades I’ve ever gotten are 1D and 1E and the E was in a stupid GST course that Law students honestly have no business taking.
First thing that didn’t meet up to your expectations?
The party scene here. I was sold bare lies. I heard there were all these cliques and clubs that used to organise like really wild raves. Play is the only one I can remember now. My older brother came to UNILAG too and he was in Play and I can remember when they were organising G.O.A.T 2. I can never forget the name of the party because all the plans for it sounded so mad. Now it’s to be doing class excursion to the beach. Dead rocks.
Most jarring experience
Getting backstabbed because of man by someone who was actually a pretty good friend. It had never happened to me before then. We went to secondary school together, got admission here together and stayed in the same room for Diploma.
There was this guy we both knew he was our senior in secondary school. I think he was in SS3 when we were in SS1. We ran into him in Engineering one day and started hanging out with him occasionally but he and I got closer and he honestly just didn’t like her attitude in general. He was staying in a BQ and I used to go and see him a lot.
Next thing I heard was that she was going around telling everyone I was opening my leg for anyone who stayed in BQ because I thought they had money. Stuff was going down with the guy but I really liked him and it was just him I was with, so that was different. When I heard what she said I just stopped talking to her even though we were in the same room. She first denied it then tried to apologise when I confronted her but I wasn’t having it.
One constant in your life right now?
I’m always broke. The day my pocket money enters I’m broke. I’m on the same allowance my sister was when she was in Uni like 4 years ago. Times have changed, the economy has changed it’s ridiculous that I’m still collecting that.
How much is it?
35k from my dad. On some months my mum will add 5 or 10k. So let’s say 40 to 45k
What does it cover?
As far as my dad is concerned everything in this life except books and handouts. From making my hair to food to data. God bless my mum I still run to her to help me cover bills. Like if I want to buy new bundles or clothes.
How often do you collect money for handouts?
Every month without fail. If I could do it every week I would but I know that my dad will catch me. I usually collect like 5 to 7k. Then every other month, this super important new book we absolutely need to buy will cost another 10 to 15k because you know it’s a law book. Lol, the day my father should ask to see all the books I’ve been buying with his money I’ll just start planning my funeral.
Ever buy them?
Only when the lecturer puts a gun to our head which hardly ever happens in my faculty. As far as I’m concerned it’s part of my pocket money.
What are you most worried about?
My mental health and protecting it. Not just mine but those of my friends. I know a lot of people in really really dark places and no one takes us seriously. It’s always this same thing, you are in uni what do you have to depressed or worried about. But this shit is hard. Imagine telling someone about to get kicked out of MedLag or someone on a zero point something gap what do you have to be worried about. After the story they’ve been selling to us since we were born is that if you don’t go to school and finish with a first class you can’t succeed in life. I’m in a good place but I know that just one carry over could change that.
Think you are going to practice?
Nah. I heard there’s no money in Law for us. People in my father’s generation are colonizing the practice and leaving crumbs for people in my own generation to make. Story of Nigeria, right?
If I could start over I’ll just read a four-year course like MasComm or English. Graduate in 4 years and focus on my shit. Instead, I’m stuck doing this for 6 years so that people can call me the law and call my mother ‘mama the law’.
And what’s your shit?
I’m still figuring it out. There are so many things I’m interested in but so little time to really explore because of my course work. I like to draw and I’m really good at it, I also find graphic design interesting.
I don’t want to practice but I think it’ll be stupid to finish with anything less than a 2:1 so I have to focus on school. If I’m going to have a degree to fall back on it can be a pass or a third class or even a 2:2 sef.
In case you’ve somehow missed them, we’ve been curating stories from Nigerian students around the world for a minute now. You can binge on them here.
The end of another strike means the continuation of another struggle – Final Year.
Final year is the most frightening year in school. One wrong move and you’re getting slapped with an extra year. Add the emotional punishment called ‘project’ and you have a full stack horror movie.
It isn’t all nightmares though, and being a few months away from your great escape has its perks.
Clear The Way, Final Year Brethren Coming Through
You can’t be in final year and not raise shoulder. After years of suffering and emotional torment you want to be humble? My friend, raise shoulder and stunt, strut on these streets like you own them. Have your own entrance song if you can. Brothers and Sisters, you’ve come this far with pieces of your sanity intact, you deserve some respect.
One Lecturer You Don’t Like Will Adopt You
This is the one that’ll shock you to your bones. The same lecturer that said A is for God and gave you an F in year 2 will start saying you’re his son or daughter. Excuse me sir, we’re not friends like that.
You Don’t Know Them, But They Know You
In every class it’s normal to have people you may never say a word to, especially if it’s a big class. There are also people you didn’t know were in your class to begin with. It will come as a surprise that you’re all friends, they know your name, your favourite food, and your BVN too.
Final Year Week
Get your dancing shoes ready because its party time. 7 days of food, clothes, hangouts with your classmates and going wild. But not too wild because there’s still your project defence. Be guided.
After Your Defence
The crown jewel of the final year race – your project defence. It marks the end to your rite of passage into the real world. The moment you close your project supervisors door and step into the sun a free human, the rest of your life begins.
On February 8th,2019 the Academic Staff Union of Universities announced their decision to suspend their strike after reaching an agreement with the Federal government. Students across the country came to a solemn realisation – school was going to resume soon. On the plus side, the final year brethren get to graduate this year. On the other hand, the battle with our archaic educational system for a degree continues.
Hope you’ve enjoyed waking up by 11 AM and eating whenever you like because it’s back to crappy hostels, terrible power supply, hot weather, boring lectures, mandatory pseudo-fasting, and “this-school-is-a-scam” rants.
Nationwide, academic activities are set to resume and we thought it would be nice to remind you of a few things.
Get Ready To Lose All The Weight
You’ve been at home for more than 3 months so it’s only natural that you’ve put on some extra weight. If you haven’t, contact your village people immediately and beg.
Things are about to change though, you’re all going back to your respective war camps and torture facilities. That means that some bald middle aged man with his notes from the 80s is about to bore and stress you till you can play do re mi with your rib cage.
Do You Still Remember Your Matric Number?
If, like me, you gave up on school and forgot your matric number during the strike, please line up according to your height. We’re buying zobo to wash away our sorrows make we dey alright.
PS – Ask your class rep, he’s been signing your attendance for you so he knows.
Time To Become A Bread And Beans Warrior Again
If you’ve grown accustomed to Basmati rice and Chicken fillet with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice to wash it down, I’m already crying for you. Brethren, forget the comfort you have known and return to your bread and agoyin ways as quickly as possible.
Hope You’ve Been Happy For The Entire Year
Fun fact about most universities – as you walk (or drive if you’re now a big somebody) through the gates, you’re leaving your joy and happiness outside, you’ll pick it up when you exit the premises.
A day will come in the life of most students when they’ll go and withdraw money and the ATM will read ‘insufficient funds’. That doesn’t have to be your portion.
First of all pack everything you can from your parents’ house whenever you go home.
Toothpaste, toilet roll, detergent, these things are cost in the market.
All those Uncles and Aunties that have been asking you so when will you enter school, call all of them.
I’m in school now o come and fund my life.
If the accomodation situation in your school is flexible don’t form ‘I like my personal space’. Better get yourself a roommate or two.
Anything you are buying for your room will be split between two or three people instead of just you.
Don’t finish your money eating in canteens, buy pots and a hot plate or camp gas and cook.
Do you know how long a pot of beans can last?
If you are in a Nigerian Federal Uni look out for your state’s annual bursary funds.
Some states give as much as 150k, better don’t dull it.
Sit down in your room on Friday nights, it’s not every weekend you must turn up.
Only go where you know the food and drinks will be free, you are still a student, please.
It’s not by force to buy every single book your lecturers say you should buy.
Buy only the most necessary books, if you aren’t sure what to buy ask people who were in that level just before you.
Even the necessary books you still don’t need to buy all of them. Check your school’s libraries for the books they have and just buy the one’s they don’t.
At least if you use in the library you’ll actually read it, instead of leaving it on your table to be gathering dust.
Do you really need to eat more than one meal a day? Especially that week before your pocket money enters your account.
Pata pata you only need to eat two. Uni isn’t the place to be eating breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Anywhere you see their sharing free food you better enter and collect your own.
All those school talks and seminars where they’ll share food or small chops at the end sign up for all of them. Who are you forming for?
If you have a very high CGPA, first of all congrats. Second all hope you’ve applied for all the scholarships you can find in this Nigeria?
From scholarships sponsored by Shell or Chevron to the ones sponsored by Morning Fresh, apply for all of them.
If you can manage it, start a side hustle. It could be as simple as being a social media influencer or buying sunglasses from Balogun, packaging it and reselling.
Don’t start anything that won’t let you face your books o.
The last one is not for you but for your parents and guardians. Please dears go to class and read your books don’t waste the school fees they are paying.
