Adebanjo Oluwafeyisayo Mary

It is said that ‘Stress’ is not the friend of the soul but as a UI student, “stress” is part of you, says a UI fresher. 

The school had just resumed another session on the 21st of August 2023. It is the commencement of a new year for both fresh and returning students. As at the first week of resumption, the enthusiastic freshmen are seen trouping into the school with their bags and baggage, the majority with their parents or siblings, each boarding cars or tricycles to their various residences. Their perky faces reflected their joy knew no bound to have finally become a student at the prestigious University. Little did they know what they had opted in for. 

At the entrance of the hall, they were requested to submit some documents and also to make the payment of hall dues in the school Microfinance Bank. This was the beginning of “stress” exclaimed a female student as most of them had come from faraway places and would not be assigned a room until necessary procedures were met. Majority are not familiar with their new environment and their faces soon show they are now confused. Those in Obafemi Awolowo Hall(Awoite) are faced with another round of “stress”. They will get used to the stairs anyways.   

After the Hall clearance came Admission, Medical, Faculty and Departmental, Library clearance where they had to face a long queue, orientation and make more payment. They never knew it was just the beginning of “stress”. 

The school activities started squarely and they were forced to wake very early to prepare for classes. Each lecturer gives bulky slides and assignments. They stay awake till late at night. They have never had such experience in their Senior Secondary School before. Many of them had to opt in for tutorials conducted by their Faculties and Churches.

I once found a young freshman crying profusely that he had missed home. They have a new life to live. They are to learn how to relate with their chosen friends and allocated roommates.Their meals and hygiene are now their responsibility.

However, The University is just a training ground for personal growth,building self-esteem and networking with others. It is practising the reality that will soon be drawn on them after the University.