Olamide Adekola, a project manager and MSc candidate at the University of Ibadan, has revealed the shocking intensity of postgraduate studies, which left her stunned despite her prior experience balancing work and undergraduate education. In a candid LinkedIn post, Adekola described moments of exhaustion and self-doubt as deadlines, coursework, assignments, presentations, and exams proved far more demanding than she anticipated.
Postgraduate Reality Hits Hard
Adekola, who previously managed work and undergraduate studies without major difficulty, assumed a master's programme would be similar. However, she admitted that assumption was quickly proven wrong. 'Before now, I never imagined deadlines, coursework, assignments, presentations, and exams could be this demanding... I forgot they are not the same,' she wrote. The experience, she said, has been far more consuming than anything she faced before.
Tenacity and Faith as Driving Forces
What keeps her going, Adekola explained, is the same quality she has relied on throughout her life: tenacity. Describing herself as someone who, once committed to a path, sees it through regardless of how draining the process becomes, she added that resilience and faith are sustaining her as she begins her first semester examinations. 'There have been moments of exhaustion. Moments of doubt. Moments when I wanted to run away from it all,' she shared.
Online Reactions and Encouragement
Adekola's post drew warm responses online, with one reader, Elijah O. OMISORE ACISCM, ACIWM, offering encouragement: 'I pray for you success on this journey.' The story highlights the often-unseen struggles of postgraduate students, particularly those balancing work and academics at Nigeria's premier university.
