A graduate of the University of Ibadan (UI) who served as the senior girl in her secondary school has opened up about her academic journey, revealing that she graduated with a Second Class Lower degree. The young lady, Ifeoluwa Bukola Ademola, shared her story on LinkedIn, detailing her CGPA progression from her first year to her final year.
From Senior Girl to UI Graduate
Ademola began her post by clarifying that she did not earn a First Class or a Second Class Upper degree. She wrote: "I graduated with a Second Class Lower and I'm not ashamed of it." She emphasized that her academic performance was not a reflection of her intelligence or capability, noting that she was the senior girl in secondary school. However, life presented her with different challenges.
After spending four years at home, she finally gained admission to the University of Ibadan. Her first year did not start well due to her mental state. In the first semester, she had a CGPA of 1.30 with two carry-overs. The second semester saw a slight improvement to 2.05. She admitted that at that point, it felt like the end, but encouragement from friends like Oyindamola Adeyanju and Rasheedat Oguntola helped her persevere.
Steady Progress Despite Setbacks
Ademola focused on her studies and gradually improved her performance. By her second year, her CGPA rose to 2.48, followed by 2.73 in her third year. In her final year, she achieved a CGPA of 2.88. Despite her efforts, she fell short of a Second Class Upper degree. She expressed gratitude to those who supported her, including Sis Yemi and Ayomide Afolayan, whose messages gave her strength.
She reflected on her journey, stating: "Start strong if you can. If you don't, start again. Progress is not always loud, but it counts." Two months after her final exams, she chose to focus on the resilience she built and the person she became, rather than the class of degree she obtained.
Similar Stories of Resilience
In a related story, another University of Ibadan graduate shared her academic journey after finishing with a Second Class Upper degree. She had always aspired for a First Class but felt disappointed with her 100-level results. Despite working harder, she could not achieve her initial goal but still graduated with a Second Class Upper.
Additionally, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member who served at the University of Ibadan shared his experience after his passing-out parade. He served in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and became the CDS President. He received leadership and community development awards and highlighted his achievements and research work after NYSC.
