FUNAAB Pride: Bolaji’s Journey to Academic Excellence and a 4.57 CGPA

Oloniyo Bolaji, a first-class microbiology graduate from FUNAAB with a 4.57 CGPA, shares her journey of academic excellence, highlighting her study strategies, challenges, time management, and insights on the future of microbiology in Nigeria.

Oloniyo Bolaji, a distinguished graduate of Microbiology from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), shares her journey to academic excellence and her perspective on the future of microbiology in Nigeria. In a conversation with Korede Badmus, she discusses how she became a night reader despite previously being averse to late study hours. Enjoy the excerpts:

Bolaji was deeply inspired by the study of microorganisms and their impact on human life, both harmful and beneficial. Her guiding principle has always been to pursue excellence in all endeavors, which motivated her to aim for a first-class degree.

She graduated with a CGPA of 4.57.

In her first year, Bolaji experienced a manageable transition from secondary school. The virtual classes during her second year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, provided flexibility but also posed challenges. By her third year, she had developed effective study habits. However, the final year was the most challenging, as she balanced classes, assignments, and her project.

While Bolaji performed well in secondary school, she had to adapt to the demands of university. Notably, she became a night reader, despite previously being averse to late study hours.

Understanding the material, rather than cramming, was crucial for her. She also found note-taking during lectures to be effective and emphasized the importance of starting revision early.

Bolaji scheduled tasks meticulously and kept visible reminders to stay organized.

She focused on attentive listening during lectures and consistently revised her notes in preparation for exams.

A significant challenge was the lack of practical sessions, as the curriculum leaned heavily towards theory.

Bolaji found abstract courses challenging but overcame these difficulties through persistence and thorough review to grasp their concepts.

She coped with stress by prioritizing sleep and maintaining a resilient mindset, often reminding herself of past successes.

Bolaji prioritized academics over social activities, though she now reflects on missed opportunities in her social life.

She advises students to commit wholeheartedly to their goals and maintain self-motivation, emphasizing the importance of pursuing excellence for oneself, not for others.

While she has no regrets about her first year, Bolaji would adjust her approach in subsequent years.

She believes the future of microbiology in Nigeria is promising, with opportunities in antimicrobial resistance research, infectious diseases, and public health initiatives.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, PLATFORM TIMES