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It is a new semester at the University of Ibadan. This happens to be the second semester of the 2024/2025 academic session. While it is the second semester for a freshman, it is the last semester for a final year student who feels the journey in the institution is finally coming to an end. All in all, the majority of the students feel it is another opportunity to get it right academically. Irrespective of the different perspectives to it, the second semester comes with varying realities at UI.

The break between the first and second semester is usually short. Compared to other breaks between semesters, many students seem to have gone home. This is according to the SU president’s post on his Twitter page who requested what could be the reason for it despite the availability of electricity supply on Campus. Perhaps, the first semester activities have drained students and they perceived the need to unwind among their loved ones. With this, many students seem to delay their resumption. Slangs like “na UI resume no be me” have been flying around which is to show the hesitation in resuming class. Most students have resolved to resume school in two or three weeks after the resumption date, since not all the faculties will resume classes immediately. They hope to recharge and get ready for the usual rigorous academic activities in UI.

Another reality of the second semester is that it is relatively considered a short one coupled with many activities aside from academics. It is often charged with energy and vibrancy on campus. Sooner or later, “vote for this”, “vote for that” will fill every corner of the university as students will emerge with political ideologies in their departments, faculties, halls of residence and at the student union level. Their supporters are readily proactive both online and onsite. They engage every group, sending the graphics of their candidates to both appropriate and inappropriate groups such as their class’s WhatsApp platforms that have their lecturers in them. Taking to physical campaigns, they seem to be at every corner and meeting students at ungodly hours and unexpected places. The school environment becomes polluted with different colours and shapes of stickers, pictures and posters. Basically, elections are one of the many realities in the second semester.

In relation to the vibrancy on campus is the social gathering. This is always on the increase as the semester gradually goes to an end. Almost every week comes with its own gathering. Many organisations will announce their dinner, handover or award ceremony. Departments, faculties, halls of residence and the Student Union will come up with different themes to suit their celebration. This also extends to the religious gatherings as they also celebrate their final year brethren and handover services. Soon, students begin to be preoccupied with the thought of what to wear, where to fix their nails or which event should they go or not. Easily, a student who promises to do an “academic comeback” can be distracted.

Back to academic-related activities, the semester is coupled with different competition such as debates and essay writing. The most notable of these competitions is Jaw War. It is the biggest public speaking and debate event in Sub-Saharan Africa, organised annually by the Literary and Debating Society (TLDS) at the University of Ibadan. The competition features halls of residence, faculties, and even other universities, where students engage in intellectual debates on critical social issues, using eloquent arguments and witty “banters” to win. This engages most of the students as they eagerly anticipate the event.

We can not but mention the academic reality of students in the school. As usual, UI students know it comes with extra work to maintain their grades. For the final year student, it comes with anxiety in juggling their courses with their project works. They are mentally caught between the excitement of graduating and “life after school.” Other students outside this category prayerfully await their first semester results and promptly seek the appropriate help to avoid repetition of any mistake they perceived in the previous semester. As the semester continues, everybody will be caught between attending classes, writing assignments, tests, and term papers.

Seeing how the semester is occupied with varying realities that can either mold or mar a student’s academic journey. It would be appropriate to suggest some measures students can take to avoid being swayed away in them.

All students should endeavor to remain academically focused. Setting clear academic goals to decide on the grades they want to maintain or improve on. It is advisable to start early and to also join or form study groups with friends to stay motivated as the semester will soon become stressful. Students should seek opportunities and be mindful of distraction such as unnecessary outings. In the same vein, final year students should engage their alumni and supervisors for a smooth and successful project work.