Interview with Oluwabunmi Badru, English Department Best Graduating Student
Opemipo Olukoga
The University of Ibadan recently held its convocation ceremony, welcoming over 6,000 students into its degree programs on November 13th. The Faculty of Arts boasted an impressive 50+ first-class graduates, with outstanding students excelling in their respective departments.
Badru Oluwabunmi emerged as best graduating student in the Department of English. In an interview with AFAS Press, Badru shared insights into her academic success, setbacks she overcame and valuable advice for aspiring high-achievers.
Who is Badru Oluwabunmi? Introduce yourself please?
My name is Badru Oluwabunmi, from the Department of English, University of Ibadan.
What does it take to emerge the Best Graduating Student of the Department and how did you achieve this feat despite the competition in the University of Ibadan？
What it took to achieve this? Number one is God. The grace of God helped me. He directed me. His mercies spoke for me. Number 2 is hardwork and smart work. There’s a difference between hardwork and smart work. Basically, hard work is putting in the work. Smart work is putting in the work smartly. So, this helped me to achieve the feat. Reading, studying and not allowing too much distractions.
What CGPA did you graduate with and how many other awards did you win during your convocation?
3.67. I won all the awards in the department. 5 awards and they all came to me. Awards for Best Graduating Student, Best student in Literature. Best student in Language and one other. I was also awarded the Best Graduating Student (Female) who took part in politics and it is one award no one has ever won in the department.
How did you manage your reading schedule as an undergrad? What specific difficulties or setbacks did you experience?
If you were looking for me during my days in the University, you will not find me in my room. I was always in the reading room, KDL and especially my hall’s reading room. I lived in Queen Elizabeth hall. So, I was always in the reading room because I don’t like staying in my comfort zone when it comes to reading cause I feel like you’ll be deceiving yourself. You will be distracted for a while and always want to rest since you’re on your phone.
The difficulty? I couldn’t cook because I didn’t have the time to. I had to read. I had to finish the syllabus three or four times before examination. I always had to buy food and buying food can’t be like cooking. It is a difficulty for me because I lost weight. Also, another setback is balancing assignments, tests, presentations with reading.
What do you believe helped you maintain a first class grade since 100 level? Did your CGPA ever drop? How did you encourage yourself to continue striving?
God. You need to have a relationship with God. He helped me. I can’t begin to narrate how he came through for me. He helped me to maintain first class grade. Also, studying helped. You can’t maintain a first class grade in UI without being a ‘jacko’. You have to ‘jack’. You have to study. You have to be ahead of your mates in terms of studying, researching.
No, my CGPA didn’t really drop but when I saw my result this 400 level, I realized I dropped because in the other levels, it didn’t drop. I was in 3.71. So, it dropped in the final year. You know how the final year can be. I encouraged myself to continue striving because I am someone that do not settle for less. If you are someone that do not settle for less, you put in the hard work.
Did your dedication to academics ever affect your extracurricular activities? If not, how were you able to strike a balance?
No. As said earlier, I won an award that has never been won before in the department. The reason I won the award was I was the best graduating student (female) who maintained a balance with academics and politics. I was the President of the Okigbo Poetry Club in 300 level, the treasurer in my department in 200 level. I was able to strike a balance because I had a timetable I followed. No matter how hectic my day was, I disciplined myself to still follow my timetable. If I had 2 or 3 courses to study a day, no matter what I went through, I studied the courses. If I were not able to complete it during the day, I will continue the following day.
What were your most memorable moments and worst moments as an undergraduate while you were in school?
My most memorable moments were with my friends during group discussions. I love having conversations with people of intellect. So, talking with people of like minds as regards our courses really made me happy. My worst moments were seeing results, scores like 68,69 in certain courses.
It’s been months you graduated, Is there anything you miss about being a student of the University of Ibadan and Faculty of Arts?
I miss going to the reading room to study. Now in NYSC, you’re now working.
Your academic achievement serves as a source of inspiration. What advice would you give to students who want to graduate with good grades, just like you did?
I do tell myself that success goes to those who are most hungry for it. So, when I remember this, I don’t get distracted. Truth be told, it was not easy at all. There were times I’ll study, and I’ll be crying because I couldn’t rest or sleep like others. I couldn’t enjoy University life. When I remember that we are many in this race and the person that is most hungry for it is the one that will be awarded, I kept going. I’ll tell others that although it may not be easy, the end result is worth it. So, they should be hungry for success.
Now that you’ve successfully completed your undergraduate degree. What next?
Masters. I am currently doing my NYSC. I am currently in search for scholarships abroad. By the grace of God, I want to go for my Masters abroad.
