Student Drops Out at 300 Level After Third UTME Attempt, Prepares for New JAMB Exam
A young Nigerian lady has made the difficult decision to drop out of university at 300 level, despite having gained admission after her third attempt at the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). She is now preparing to write the JAMB exam again in 2026, aiming to pursue her dream course.
Academic Journey and Struggles
Identified as @m.webber2 on social media, the student shared her story, revealing that she initially aimed to study medicine. In 2021, she wrote her first JAMB exam but did not score high enough. She attempted again in 2022 and was offered Medical Laboratory Science at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), but her parents refused due to concerns about her age and distance from home.
In 2023, on her third UTME attempt, she was advised to change her course to Human Anatomy to secure admission. She agreed, hoping to switch to medicine later, but described the experience as a nightmare. She faced academic challenges, including missing results in 100 level and a low Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), compounded by frequent illnesses that required her to travel home for treatment.
Mental Health Crisis and Decision to Leave
The student detailed severe mental health issues, including panic attacks, insomnia, depression, and anxiety, which worsened in 200 level. She stated, My department exhausted me, the school and environment drained me, and the course I lacked passion for left me looking like a madman. After her CGPA deteriorated to a point where she could not continue, she quietly dropped out five months ago, informing only her family.
She emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental health, advising others in similar situations: It's never too late to leave. If you're scared to leave because of money, don't worry...leave first, and money will follow. She expressed happiness since leaving and is now focused on preparing for the upcoming UTME to pursue medicine.
Social Media Reactions
Her story resonated widely on social media, with many users sharing similar experiences. Comments included:
- HE'S IK: Me in 400lvl studying a course I dreamt I'll stop in 200lvl.
- _Aniekpeno: Try score 290+ my school will give you MBBS on merit.
- Precious: Told people I want to go for MBBS after this my degree they said it'll be too late.
This case highlights broader issues in Nigeria's education system, such as the pressure to gain admission, mental health challenges among students, and the pursuit of passion versus practicality in course selection.
