AAUA Graduate Overcomes Obstacles and Negative Advice to Achieve First-Class Degree

Oluwadunsin Adeyemi, a linguistics graduate from Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA), overcame personal hardships, negative advice, and academic challenges to earn a first-class degree with a 4.66 GPA, driven by her passion, family support, and determination.

Oluwadunsin Adeyemi, a graduate of Linguistics and Languages from Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA), earned a first-class degree with a 4.66 GPA, demonstrating that hard work and determination can prevail over challenges. In an interview, the 26-year-old shared how her passion for linguistics, family support, and resilience helped her overcome setbacks, including discouraging advice and personal hardships, to achieve academic excellence.

Adeyemi revealed that her journey to success began with a deep love for linguistics, which she discovered in secondary school. A youth corps member had introduced her to English phonetics, sparking her interest in the field. Although she initially considered studying law, her growing passion for linguistics became the driving force behind her decision to pursue the course at AAUA.

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“The passion I had for the course was my biggest motivation,” she said. “From the moment I got into school, I was determined to learn and excel in linguistics.”

During her admission process, Adeyemi encountered discouragement from a woman at her church, who warned that linguistics was a challenging field. Drawing on her love for challenges, Adeyemi refused to be deterred by the negative comments. “I wanted to prove that it wasn’t as difficult as people made it seem,” she explained, using the criticism as motivation to push harder toward her goals.

Adeyemi’s journey was not without difficulties. In her final year, she faced significant challenges completing her thesis because she didn’t own a laptop. A friend lent her his laptop, but she often had to stay up through the night to meet deadlines. Adjusting to these demands, despite not being accustomed to late-night work, was a difficult but necessary part of her journey.

Her first major academic setback came in her second year, when she unexpectedly received a ‘C’ in a course she thought she had performed well in. The disappointment left her frustrated and fearing that her dream of a first-class degree was slipping away. However, a lecturer reassured her that setbacks were part of the process, sharing that he too had encountered similar challenges while pursuing his first-class honours.

“The lecturer’s advice stuck with me,” Adeyemi said. “It reminded me to stay focused and keep moving forward.”

Her third year proved to be the most difficult, as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted academic activities. Many of her friends who had aimed for first-class honours gave up, and Adeyemi admitted she also felt tempted to settle for less. However, she remained committed to her goal, determined to finish strong.

Adeyemi credits her parents and lecturers for playing vital roles in her success. Her father, who encouraged her from a young age, motivated her to aim for a first-class degree despite her being the youngest in the family. “His belief in me gave me the confidence to push harder,” she said.

Her mother’s health issues also became a source of motivation. During Adeyemi’s second year, her mother underwent surgery for a brain tumour, a challenging time that took an emotional toll. Despite the hardship, Adeyemi remained focused on her studies, determined to make her parents proud.

Several lecturers also had a significant impact on her academic journey. Dr. Ibikunle, who taught her phonetics course, recognized her potential early on and continued to support her throughout her studies. Although he wasn’t her official supervisor, he guided her through her thesis, providing invaluable assistance.

Another lecturer, Mr. Oluseyi Emmanuel, helped resolve a critical course registration issue that could have negatively impacted her GPA. His intervention, including paying for corrections when she couldn’t afford it, was instrumental in her academic success.

Adeyemi also highlighted the positive influence of her relationship on her academic journey. Her partner not only understood her goals but consistently encouraged her to stay focused. “During times when I felt discouraged, he reminded me of our goal to graduate with first-class honours,” she said.

Currently serving with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Akwa Ibom, Adeyemi described how the experience has deepened her interest in languages. Interacting with people from diverse linguistic backgrounds, such as those speaking Ibibio, Anaang, and Efik, has given her a practical understanding of what she studied in school.

Looking ahead, Adeyemi plans to pursue a career in psycholinguistics—a field that combines language and brain science. Her mother’s health challenges inspired her interest in the subject, but she discovered that no Nigerian university offers psycholinguistics at the master’s level. As a result, she is actively seeking scholarships to study abroad, hoping to specialize in speech therapy and related areas.

Adeyemi offered valuable advice to students aiming for academic excellence. “Set your priorities straight and stay focused,” she said. “Determination is key, and you shouldn’t let negative voices distract or discourage you.”

She emphasized the importance of finding effective study methods, warning against blindly following others. “Some students attend night classes but don’t study efficiently. It’s important to know what works for you and stick with it.”

Gratitude and Reflection
Reflecting on her achievements, Adeyemi expressed gratitude to God for her success and for keeping her parents alive to witness it. “Without God, none of this would have been possible,” she said. “I’m thankful for everything, including the 4.66 GPA I achieved.”

Adeyemi’s inspiring story demonstrates how passion, perseverance, and support from loved ones can help overcome challenges, turning obstacles into stepping stones toward success.

SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, PUNCH

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