Once again, the golden gate of the University of Ibadan has been flung open for new set of students to enter. Of course, it is more than a privilege that you are part of the few ones selected in that big race for admission into the nation’s Premier University. However, in as much as you have every cause to rejoice for this wonderful achievement of yours, yet the truth still remains that this is not the right time for you to continue dancing at that great feat; rather, this is the right time for you to sit down and plan. It is the time for you to sit down and work. Your plans and decisions now will determine if you will graduate at the end of your program or you will be thrown out before you finish this session.
At this juncture, you need not be reminded again about your primary responsibility in this great citadel, of course it is your academic work. This notion at all times must always top the list of your priorities. You also need to be aware that there are one thousand and one forces that are ready to block your road to success on this very campus. These forces range from keeping bad company, the spirit of procrastination, lectures absenteeism and giving way to such attitudinal flaws like arrogance, restlessness and carelessness among others. It is better for you to watch out for these forces and try as much as possible to avoid their enticing invites as you continue on your academic journey.
Furthermore, you need to be aware that you can’t get everything you need to be a complete student just by attending classes, hence the need to participate in extra-curricular activities and to join one of such purpose-driven student organizations like the Union of Campus Journalists, Junior Chamber International, Sigma Club, ANUNSA, Nigeria Model United Nations Society, Insightt Organization, Students In free Enterprise (SIFE), ROTARACT, AISEC among others, to enable you have practical experiences of how things work out there. Though, it is advisable that you don’t join more than one or two of these organizations to enable you focus and get the best out of them. In the same vein you are also advised not to neglect your spiritual life but in all, moderation and the ability to balance them all is the most important thing.
Finally, you need to be reminded that you are a student in this great citadel of learning. This is a school, it is an intellectual environment not some dummy factory. Therefore you are encouraged to always be confident and protect your right when the need arises. Be courageous enough to ask questions whenever you are confused and know where to channel your grievances and complaints whenever any of your rights is being trampled upon, it’s primitive to take the laws into your hands. You will be given a student handbook that’s if you have not been given yet ,note, it’s not just some pieces of paper, endeavor to read through it as it contains virtually all you need to know about the University and things to help you live as a law abiding student. In all, it is important you know that this place is entirely different from your secondary schools and your various houses. This is a university and you will experience major changes so you will do yourself a lot of good by constantly drawing lessons from the words of Charles Darwin, “It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change.” Once again, you are welcome to the premier University, and we say “WELCOME”.
*Karibu – Swahili word for welcome
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