Delta State University Student Rewrites UTME After First Year, Achieves First Class in Pharmacy
A young lady from Delta State University has become an inspiration after sharing her remarkable academic journey. She initially studied Human Anatomy for a year but decided to rewrite the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to pursue Pharmacy, ultimately graduating with a first-class degree seven years later.
Academic Redirection and Perseverance
The student, identified on TikTok as @ellas.hair.lab, revealed that in 2019, she completed her first year in Human Anatomy with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.54. Despite this solid performance, she felt uncertain and stagnant, leading her to make a bold decision. She rewrote UTME, restarted her university education from scratch, and faced additional challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected her confidence and social connections.
In a heartfelt post, she expressed: "There was a season when I felt like I was unsure and I felt like I was stagnant. After studying human anatomy for a year in 2019 with a CGPA of 3.54, I took jamb again and started all over again plus covid 19. I lost my friends, I lost my confidence... But this is me 7 years later, inducting into pharmacy with a CGPA of 4.57. Grace brought me here."
Social Media Reactions and Shared Stories
Her story quickly went viral on social media, sparking widespread congratulations and similar accounts from other students. Many users shared their own experiences of academic redirection and perseverance.
- queenblessing commented: "I scored 271 in JAMB 2020 and applied for Pharmacy. Somehow, weeks before matriculation, I found myself in Microbiology. I did my 100 level there. I even left with a good CGPA. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t where I was meant to be. So I made a bold decision. I rewrote JAMB in 2021. Today, I’m in 400 level PharmD, induction in view. Sometimes you don’t fail — you’re redirected. And sometimes you have to fight twice for the life you want. Delayed… but never denied."
- SymplyKaro added: "Omg One day. I’m also studying pharmacy in Delsu 100lvl. Congratulations Ma. I tap oo. Hope you will share jotter for Induction????????? This is exactly my story only that I’m going to be graduating with a lower GP but I’ll be a Pharmacist."
- Hairventilator noted: "In Ekpoma Congratulations Stranger… Graduated from human anatomy, because I wasn’t strong enough to take this bold move to switch courses… super proud of you."
- Candy shared: "I studied health care management for 4 years, wrote utme last year to study pharmacy but ended up studying industrial chemistry but I'm so confident that'll I'll become a D.pharm one day."
- Dimma said: "I'm proud of you stranger for taking that bold step. I'm in 200l studying microbiology but I'm rewriting jamb this year jamb to study nursing which is my dream course, I hope my hard work pays me this time."
Broader Context of Academic Struggles
This story highlights a common theme among Nigerian students who face academic challenges and make difficult decisions to pursue their true passions. It resonates with other recent reports, such as the University of Lagos best graduating student who was initially rejected by the University of Ibadan, and a graduate staging a protest over unemployment. Additionally, the Lagos State University best graduating student has shared her own admission struggles, emphasizing the perseverance required in higher education.
The Delta State University graduate's achievement serves as a powerful reminder that setbacks can lead to greater successes, encouraging others to stay determined in their educational pursuits.
