I Never Imagined I Could Graduate With a First-Class Law Degree

Against all odds—from missed admissions and tech setbacks to emotional lows—Olapade Oyinkansola Comfort’s journey through law school proves that with perseverance, support, and self-belief, even the most uncertain beginnings can lead to a first-class finish.

My academic journey was anything but smooth. I initially set my sights on studying Law at the University of Ibadan, but a missing document cost me the opportunity. I tried again with the University of Lagos, scoring 281 in JAMB—still, no admission for Law. Discouraged, I considered switching to English, but my mother encouraged me to give it one more try at Olabisi Onabanjo University.

Then came the pandemic. Technical difficulties disrupted my Post-UTME mock exam at home. Despite efforts to fix it, I ended up traveling to Ogun State to write it from my aunt’s house—only to face more disruptions. I was logged out after just seven questions. In that moment, I wondered if university was even meant for me.

Thankfully, my uncle stepped in. A kind university ICT staff member—truly an angel in disguise—gave me a second chance to retake the exam. That moment restored my hope. After nearly three years of trying, I was finally admitted to study Law in 2021.

Initially, I didn’t aim high—I just wanted to graduate. But in my first semester, I earned an A in Legal Method. That single grade sparked a fire. Though my GPA was 3.52 and I saw some Es that shook me, I realized I cared more than I admitted. The drive I had in secondary school was still there.

The turning point came with Law of Contract. I entered the exam hall full of fear, convinced I’d have to retake it. But I applied what I had learned and was shocked to receive an A. From that point, I started believing in myself. Another pivotal moment came when I scored an A in Labour Law—even though I’d barely studied due to falling asleep the night before. That win pushed me to aim for a first-class degree.

My journey wasn’t solitary. Friends, mentors, and senior colleagues supported me with advice, resources, and encouragement. Their notes helped me focus on learning rather than scrambling to compile materials. Their belief in me helped shape my own.

By 300-level, I was all in. I developed a deep interest in Criminal and Commercial Law. Though a B in Criminal Law hurt, feedback from my lecturer helped me improve my understanding. The next semester, I earned a perfect 5.0 GPA.

At 400-level, emotional struggles nearly derailed my progress. When results came out, I saw a D in Law of Evidence—it was devastating. I appealed the grade, only to discover my Continuous Assessment score hadn’t been recorded. It was a painful, uncertain time, but I held on. Eventually, the correction was made.

In my final year, I had a 4.75 GPA in the first semester. Yet a B in Company Law disappointed me—I loved the course and knew I’d done well. A classmate who got an A shared that the lecturer preferred brief, precise answers. That insight changed everything. I applied it—and ended my final semester with another 5.0 GPA.

Now, I’m graduating with a 4.53 CGPA. Looking back, it’s clear this was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But it taught me to stay resilient, to trust in my efforts, and to value the people who lifted me up.

You don’t need a perfect start to have a powerful finish. Even in chaos, you can succeed. You are enough. You are not alone. And you can overcome.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, BELLNIAJA