Students Flock Back to the University of Ibadan After the Holidays

 

By Abraham Favour

As the festive holidays fade into memory, the University of Ibadan is busy with activities as students return to campus. From the gates of the university, the surge of students carrying different types of travelling bags shows the end of rest and the resumption of academic activities. The once-almost-empty campus is coming back to life, with its walkways, lecture halls, and other main areas filling up with the energy and chatter of students. Classes have resumed, and with week ten of the eleven-week semester underway, the rush to meet academic goals is evident.

For final-year students, this semester represents the last stretch of their undergraduate journey. The air is thick with a mix of excitement, nostalgia, and the pressure of looming project deadlines. 

“I’m very happy this is my last time having a break from school. This is the final lap, and I’m elated I don’t have to go through this stress anymore,” says Ebunoluwa, a finalist. 

For many other students, the holiday was a welcome relief, a chance to unwind and temporarily escape the anxiety and pressure of assignments, tests, and exams.

 “I was at home eating lots of food and running errands. It was enjoyable, minus the visitors,” shares Grace, a Queenite, reflecting on her break with a laugh.

Some spent their time reconnecting with family and friends, while others shuttled between school and their houses, due to having important academic activities that had to be attended to.

The transition back to the university environment is not always smooth. Many students find themselves struggling to adjust to early morning lectures, lengthy walks to classes, and the pressure that comes with campus life. 

“It’s overwhelming because everything will be rushed and I’m unprepared. I’m doing this because I must, not because I want to,” laments Darasimi, another Queenite.

At Queen Elizabeth II Hall, luggage rolled down corridors and the rising chatter in rooms as her residents returned. As roommates reunite, they exchange holiday memories, share campus gossip, and begin planning for the weeks ahead. Although the hall isn’t fully occupied yet, the gradual increase in activity hints at a campus returning to its once-full self.

The start of the new year brings renewed hope and aspirations. Students are ready with New Year resolutions, as different students keep saying the mantra “New Year new me!!”. They are determined to make the most of the remaining semester. For some, it’s about having better studying habits and striving for better grades, while others are simply focused on enduring the hustle of campus life until the semester’s end.

The semester’s conclusion carries different meanings for everyone. For finalists, it’s a time to cherish their final moments in an environment that has shaped their lives over the years. The significance of these last few weeks is known to them, as they prepare to step into a new phase of life beyond the university gates. For other students, it’s a time to double down on academic efforts secure better grades, and get ready for the remaining part of their academic journey.

In the words of an anonymous finalist, “As stressful as it has been, I’ve grown so much here. This semester is my last, and I can’t wait to start a new chapter, but I’ll always treasure the memories I’ve made.”

As the University of Ibadan shifts from the quietness of the holidays to the hustle of academics, one thing is certain, the cycle of university life continues. The echoes of students’ footsteps, the rustle of lecture notes, and the chatter of discussions in classes and halls of residence remind everyone that time waits for no one. With the semester nearing its end, students face their future in anticipation and determination, ready to make the most of the days ahead and leave their mark in th

e sands of time.