INTERVIEW WITH FACULTY OF ARTS BGS, ODULATE MISTURA

Foyin Ejilola sits with Faculty of Arts best graduating student, Odulate Mistura and discussed her journey in the university and the faculty.

Who is Mistura Odulate? Introduce yourself, please.
I am Odulate Mistura, a first-class graduate of the Department of Classics, University of Ibadan and also a recent best graduating student of Faculty of Arts. I am a professional volunteer and I have joined quite a number of organizations such as Volunteer Hub Africa, Plugin Club Nigeria. I am also an Alumna of Junior Chambers International University of Ibadan.

How does it feel to be the Best Graduating Student of the Faculty of Arts?
Of course, I still cannot get over the happiness of being the best graduating student of my faculty. It felt so great, I felt on top of the world. I felt fulfilled. I felt that hard work really pays. I felt good; I mean I don’t even know how to qualify my feeling of being announced as the best graduating student of my faculty. Yeah, I felt fulfilled.

So, given the tough competition in the Faculty of Arts and the 4-point grading system, how did you achieve this feat?
Let me just give the honour and admiration to God. It’s been great, really. It is not my ability nor is it by my power. It is God and the amazing people in my life for their support and also it’s my hard work and determination and discipline. That’s basically what I’d say, and when I got to see my first result as the first class student in 100 level, I made up my mind that I am going to nurture this. Also, let me add that, in fact, I wasn’t expecting to be the best graduating student of my faculty. It was such a great shock for me when I got to see that and it was a surprising moment for me but still I am not the person that settles for less. I always want to be the best version of me. Those are just the things that help me achieve it when I made up my mind that I didn’t want to settle for less. I go for the best. I keep pushing for the best.

What CGPA did you graduate with?
3. 83

What were the specific obstacles you faced?
The major obstacle that I will just like to point out is the usual break in session and the strike. It’s always so hard going back to being a student. I think it’s noticeable during the 2020 COVID period where we had to stay for a year at home. Yeah, it’s was a really great obstacle for me because when I got back, I felt out of shape. It was so hard before I had to flow with being a student again.

In what particular ways were you aided that played a great role in maintaining a First-class since 100l?
One thing I’d like to say that played a role in getting that first-class is that I never waited for the last minute to start reading or rushing everything. You know in Classics, we had to deal with languages, so I never waited until the last minute. I moved with the way it was being taught in class. At home, I would go back, research, and browse more on it. I did not wait until the exam was around the corner before trying to cover like 12-week topics.

How many extra-curricular organisations and activities did you join and take part in respectively while in UI and how did you balance them with your academics?
When I was in 300 Level, I joined some organizations. I was a Jaycee, member of Junior Chamber International and while being a Jaycee, I got to know more about volunteering. So that led me to volunteering for some organizations such as Volunteer Hub Africa, Eleven Eleven Twelve Foundation (EETF) and Plugin Club UI which is an environmental advocacy organization. Besides that, I also participated in sensitizing people on some major issues affecting society.
In addition, I was also a pressman of my departmental press. However, my participation was not 50/50. I prioritized my academics on front and any other thing will come after that.

It has been almost a year since you signed out, what do you miss about the Faculty of Arts and the University of Ibadan?
I miss being a student in the Faculty of Arts. I was at the faculty few days ago and I was feeling nostalgic about so many things. I miss classes, I miss learning, I miss researching and most especially, I miss the quadrangle of the Faculty of Arts. There is something about that quadrangle that gives you a sense of belonging and UI as a whole. I miss all the activities I do go for, all the extracurricular activities and of course, I miss the item 7 too. I also miss volunteering, but I have not been able to get myself back to volunteering after signing out.

Besides education, what else did you gain in UI that might have been different if you had attended another institution?
One thing that I would say I actually gained aside from education is how I learned how to impact society. It does not have to be much. I learned from Junior Chambers International while in school and also what I gained is giving back to society. Volunteering. That’s basically what I know that I actually gained. Like giving back to society without even thinking twice even though it’s just little. That’s basically what I gained. It opened my eyes to how fulfilled someone can be while giving back to society.

So, what is the next plan on your list?
My next plan right now is to further my studies. I want to continue learning. And the right time is now. I want to strike while the iron is hot.

What’s your parting word for AFASites?
I would like to say to my dearest Afasites to never stop being the best version of themselves. Do not settle for mediocrity actually, just spread your wings and fly. I think the sky is enough for everyone to spread their wings and fly and also, I will just like to add that we should not allow anyone to talk us down on any course of study that we are pursuing; like a couple of times that people will just look at me somehow, studying Classics, that it was a waste of time. No, nothing is a waste of time; opportunities will always come anytime just be the best. Never settle for less, and just be the best version of yourself. And I would like to add again that we should not be deceived that education is a scam. It is not a scam. Hence, probably you just have the mentality and you decide not to strive for the best. It is never a scam, we should just try to be the best anywhere we find ourselves, any situation we are in.