The Agony of Exposure: How The Book of Life Affects Students Emotionally

By: Oladele Robiat

Book of life is one of the many traditions in Nigeria’s first and supposedly best University. Book of life, popularly referred to as BOL, is an allegedly confidential document containing student academic standing for the semester or session. Despite its being clearly stated that the document is strictly confidential which insinuates that it shouldn’t be found with students, Book of life is now every UIte property

The abuse of confidentiality is not the only problem facing this document, but also the emotional baggage this Book of life comes with. While everyone agrees that it is normal for students to be tense about their result, the tension accompanied by the book of life is beyond normal.

For many, the release of results is a time of anticipation and anxiety. With the Book of Life’s unauthorised circulation, students’ private academic struggles are now publicly visible, fueling feelings of vulnerability and fear of being judged. This breach of privacy causes emotional meltdown for students as peers and coursemates’ reaction to it may be traumatic. Some of them get bullied by their result during anonymous or an argument with their peers.

“I had always been afraid of failing, and when I saw my results in the book, I felt like I had been exposed to the entire school. It’s been weeks, and I’m still struggling to come to terms with it.” Lamented a UI student.

The culture of anxiety that pervades our institution has been worsened by the leak. Students struggling with self-doubt and fear of failure are now forced to confront their worst nightmares. The pressure to perform is intense, and the knowledge that their results are being shared among their peers has created a sense of dread that is hard to shake.

The emotional toll of this leak cannot be overstated. Students are experiencing feelings of shame, fear, and vulnerability. Many are struggling with anxiety and depression, and some are even questioning their worth and ability. The long-term effects on mental health are a serious concern, and it’s important that the institution takes immediate action to address this crisis. “I felt like my world had come crashing down,” said a student who wished to remain anonymous.

It is noteworthy that not all results as stated in the Book of life are accurate, due to outstanding results as at time of collation. This means that while the book might not be a true reflection of someone’s academic standing, its leak has led to a situation where students with outstanding results find it hard to convince people of their true standing.

The lack of trust and accountability this book has caused is also a major issue. Some students are left wondering how such an important document could be allowed to circulate freely, and why the institution has not taken any decisive action to stop it. The breach of confidentiality has eroded trust between students and the institution, and a lot has to be done to put things in place.

It’s essential that the university management prioritises the well-being and mental health of its students. This includes providing counseling services, and other resources to help students cope with the emotional trauma caused by the leak of the document. It’s also crucial that the institution takes concrete steps to address the leak of the document, including reviewing its policies on confidentiality and data protection

The “Book of Life” leak is a wake-up call for our institution. It’s a reminder that the emotional well-being of students is just as important as their academic performance. By taking immediate action to address this issue, the institution can help mitigate the damage and create a safer, more supportive environment for all students.