On Academic Comebacks and the Drive to Succeed

 By Agarah Bibisinuolwa

The start of a new semester is a time that is ripe with the scent of fresh notebooks and new resolutions. The University of Ibadan welcomes back a familiar crowd: the academic comeback specialists, the untouchable overachievers, and the cruise captains. Each group comes with its unique vibe, drama, and, let’s be honest, predictable routines.

Let us begin with the loudest of the trio: the academic comeback crew. You cannot miss them. They are the ones who boldly declare their intentions to “turn a new leaf” as if they aren’t recycling last semester’s failed resolutions. By the first week, motivational quotes flood their WhatsApp statuses: “Locked in!” and “We go again today”. Their to-do lists rival presidential campaign promises, complete with detailed plans to “attend every class,” “submit all assignments early,” and “stop attending unnecessary parties.”

But their commitment falters before completion. Within the first two weeks, these same students go back to their old habits. It is not that they lack good intentions, it is just that execution requires discipline, and discipline is... well, boring, and there are so many other fun things to do. By mid-semester, they’re back to their default settings: skipping classes, cramming for tests at the last minute, and blaming “unforeseen circumstances” for their latest academic mishaps.

Meanwhile, we have untouchable overachievers. These are the mythical creatures of Nigerian universities. They don’t need a comeback because they’ve never left. While you’re deciding whether it’s worth attending the 8 a.m. lecture, they’ve already claimed their front-row seats, pens/recording devices at the ready. Their notes are colour-coded, their assignments are submitted early, and their questions in class make even the lecturer pause for a moment to recalibrate.

Finally, we have the cruise captains, the chillest of them all. For them, life is not about grades; it’s about vibes. They are the philosophers of our generation, wielding phrases like “First class will not take you to heaven” with the conviction of someone who has never actually checked theirs.

These students are a marvel to watch. When it comes to assignments, they will copy someone else’s five minutes before submission. What about tests? A decent attendance record will suffice. They will show up for lectures if the lecturer has a reputation for surprise quizzes. Their motto is simple: “At the end of the day, na God dey run am.”

What is truly remarkable is their resilience. They have mastered the fine art of cruising through school with minimal effort and maximum fun. And while you’re stressing over grades, these legends are busy securing what matters—social connections, free meals, and planning events.

But let us give credit where it is due. Whether you’re an academic comeback specialist, an untouchable overachiever, or a cruise captain, there’s a little bit of each group in all of us. The comeback crew reminds us that hope springs eternal—even if it’s misplaced. The overachievers push us to aim higher, even if their methods are exhausting. And the cruise captains? They teach us the importance of balance and the occasional need to take life less seriously.

As a new semester begins, one thing is certain: everyone will be back to their usual ways by Week 4. The comeback specialists will be scrambling for past questions, the overachievers will be securing their spot at the top of the class, and the cruise captains will remind us that “last last, everybody go dey alright.”