TDB chronicles

By: Kareem Olajumoke Khadijah

It all started with a “Congratulations, you have been given admission…” and then, boom! Everything moved so fast. You buy school supplies and start preparing to resume. The day of resumption finally arrives, and your parents say their last prayers, holding on to strong faith in God to keep you safe.

Gaining admission into a higher institution has always been a significant milestone in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, considering the high regard placed on graduates compared to non-graduates. This mindset persists despite the growing notion among some that “education is a scam.” While some pursue education just for the certificate, others apply what they learn to their everyday lives, making a living from it. For most students, the journey through education can be daunting and, at times, traumatic. To some, university is a place of freedom; to others, it represents endless opportunities.

My name is Doris, and I would like to share my campus experiences as a freshman with you.

As a fresher, you might think you have all the time in the world, but before you know it, the semester is over. During one of my lecture breaks in the first week of resumption, I noticed senior students were already studying. During such breaks, I usually hung around the faculty because it seemed like a waste of time to go back to my hostel and return to the faculty for another class. Since I was unfamiliar with other locations, I decided to spend my breaks at the faculty library until my next lecture.

From my frequent visits to the library, I was inspired by the dedication of the serious students there. It made me feel like the only unserious person in the room. That motivation pushed me to take my university education seriously not the typical glamorised version of Hollywood or Nollywood movies. After several frustrating days of queuing, I finally got my library card a week later. It wasn’t a pleasant experience, but it was worth it.

I began attending TDBs (Till Day Break) study sessions because I could only focus on studying at night. My bed was far too cosy, tempting me to sleep away for an entire semester.

One Friday night, around 10 p.m., I was heading to the school library as usual for a TDB session. Halfway to the library, the campus went dark due to a power outage, and silence enveloped the area. It was too late to return to my residence, and I assumed the library would have power, so I decided to continue my journey.

As I approached a turn leading directly to the library, I noticed four shadowy figures ahead. Goosebumps crawled over me as I felt an immediate sense of insecurity, especially since they were all male and their voices were deep. Trying to avoid them, I crossed to the other side of the road, but two of them followed me. I acted bold, pretending to be calm.

They greeted me with a “Hi”, I responded, though my tone betrayed my fear. One of the guys, tall and slender, said, “Calm… calm,” while gesturing wisth his hands. They asked if I was a freshman, and I confirmed it. After some brief conversation, they said goodbye, and I continued walking, relieved to be free from them.

As I neared the library’s narrow corner, I sensed movement behind me. I paused but didn’t see anyone. Suddenly, a strong arm covered my nose, and everything went blank.

I woke up later in a secluded area, disoriented and unsure of the time or location. After gathering myself, I made my way to the library, unable to return to my hostel. On arriving, I realized I hadn’t checked my belongings. To my dismay, I discovered my wristwatch and a friend’s power bank were missing. Thankfully, I had left my phone at the hostel to avoid distractions.

A few moments later, two guys entered the library, and I immediately recognized one of them as the tall guy who had spoken to me earlier. I was shocked and unsure of what to do, so I pretended not to recognize him and observed him closely.

About 30 minutes later, I noticed he seemed restless, pacing back and forth while eyeing a student who was asleep. I got distracted briefly, and when I looked back, he was walking out with a backpack. I was certain he hadn’t come in with one, so I raised an alarm. The commotion caught the attention of other students. Someone tripped him near the entrance, and though he tried to fight his way out, a stronger student subdued him.

The stolen bag was recovered and returned to its owner. During the search, I was surprised to find my missing belongings among his possessions.