By: Sonaike Peter

Onikemba (real name withheld) is one of the recent fresh graduates at the University of Ibadan. Reflecting on his journey as a final-year student, Onikemba said the first challenge he faced as a finalist was securing favorable accommodation. Although accommodation for final-year students at the University of Ibadan was guaranteed, he, as a resident of the Great Independence Hall, desired D-Block, a finalist block coveted by every final-year student. Though he was able to secure a spot in the block, the allocation process was stressful and time-consuming.

Speaking about his final-year project, Onikemba said that it was challenging, particularly since he had no prior knowledge of how to conduct an academic project. He, along with some colleagues, had to seek guidance from their graduated seniors to learn the basics of conducting research for his project.

He admitted that his project was financially demanding. The costs of data collection, transcription, correcting errors, and printing were not only expensive but also left him physically and mentally exhausted. He also noted that the challenges were even more overwhelming because he started his project lately. The financial burden of his project was further worsened by the unfavourable policies of President Tinubu’s administration.

The challenges didn’t end there. Upon discovering that he had graduated seeing the “book of life”, Onikemba began his final-year clearance process. This process, he said, came with its own set of difficulties, as he had to move from office to office to submit various documents. For him, the clearance process was also financially burdensome, as he had to pay fines for misplaced documents.

In addition to the costs associated with his final year project, Onikemba had to balance other responsibilities with his academic workload. In his faculty, the Faculty of Law, he paid #17,500 for a final-year get-together ceremony. In his church, he also paid for “Aso Ebi.” As an ‘elder’ in the Great Independence Hall, he was saddled with the responsibility of addressing issues within the hall, often at the expense of his academic performance.

“Nobody gave us a rundown on what project entailed in our 400 level. When we reached 500 level, we were ignorant of how to conduct a project. We were the ones sourcing information about how to approach a project, meeting our seniors. This came with a lot of frustration. But I feel that if there is a general course like GES on project writing, nobody will be confused. It will also eliminate the fear associated with it because nobody knows the head and tail of what they are working on,” Onikemba told IndyPress.

Charging the current final-year students, Onikemba advised them to start their projects on time and settle finances required for their final-year academic project and year early. He also urged them to prioritize time management, describing final year as a delicate stage in students’ academic journey on campus.

What It Means to Be a Final Year Student in UI

The final stage on campus is a critical time, as unseriousness can hinder graduation. Some students take this period seriously, understanding that their futures depend on their focus and commitment, while some don’t.

From collecting data, transcribing, correcting errors, to printing, the process is demanding and exhausting. Even after graduation, students must navigate the clearance process, which can be overwhelming. This involves being accountable for documents from their first year up to their final year, which must be submitted before graduation is authenticated.

The final year is a time when students must balance their finances, mental stability, and physical well-being. It is also a period that requires students to begin their projects early to avoid unnecessary stress. At times, some students might even need to distance themselves from extracurricular activities, focusing entirely on their academics.

“I Dropped Some Organizations in My Final Year to Focus on My Academics” – Daniel Ocho

For Daniel Ocho, a graduate of Law, the first thing he did in his final year was step down from some organizations he had been a part of in order to concentrate on his academics. He regarded this as a critical decision for ensuring his graduation.

Daniel told IndyPress that the financial cost of running his project was high and worsened by the current harsh economic conditions. Despite these challenges, he was managed through the period, as he was into writing, which provided him with some extra money.

Daniel also faced additional financial responsibilities, such as paying 17,500 Naira for a final-year get-together ceremony in his faculty, Faculty of Law. Also like Onikemba, Daniel advised current final-year students to start their projects early and to consider cutting back on certain activities to focus on the time-consuming task of completing their final-year projects. According to Daniel, final year is the time when students begin to plan for life after graduation.

“Concerning final-year students, see, begin your project early. Don’t wait. Just start your project early. There are many things you have been doing from your first year until now. If possible, the things you know you have already paid your dues for or done your part in, reduce some of them. In your final year, you will have a lot on your table, especially in your second semester, when you have exams, and projects to write. If you are members of many organizations like me, you are really going to face a lot. If there are things you can cut off, do it to make life easier for yourself. Don’t go and kill yourself,” Daniel advised.

“Start Your Project Early” – Babalola Gideon

Not starting his project early cost Babalola Gideon a lot. A graduate of Sociology, he began his project in the second semester. Gideon worked on a qualitative project, which, for him, was energy-exhausting. At times when he felt fatigued, he would delay the project until he was mentally prepared to continue. He went through the stressful process of data collection, transcription, and printing his project. On several occasions, he had to go beyond his budget to cover unforeseen expenses. Gideon emphasized the importance of being financially and mentally stable in the final year.

Besides addressing his project, Gideon was involved in several activities, particularly those aimed at social impact. He saw this as his way of giving back to society. He also shared the stressful process of his final-year clearance, which required him to gather all documents from his first year through to his final year for submission.

Like Daniel and Onikemba, Gideon urged current final-year students to start their projects early to avoid the stress and financial burden they may face later.

“The advice I will give to anyone writing a project is to start early. Start as soon as possible. Because, to be very honest, it is very stressful, and it will take your time. It can even affect your mental health. The earlier, the better. There are some problems you will encounter in your report. It is better to start early so that you can tackle them,”Gideon admonished.

It is crucial for final-year students at the University of Ibadan to prepare adequately for their projects. As Gideon and Onikemba advised, students must start their project work early. Given that the final project is financially demanding, it is important for parents to prioritize supporting their children with project-related costs to ensure they succeed. Additionally, as Onikemba suggested, the university should introduce a course on project writing, so students have a clear blueprint for their projects well before their final year.