Determination, key element to succeed in life — UNIOSUN overall best student
In an interview with Afolabi Dayo Esther, the overall best student from Osun State University from the Department of Business Administration spoke with Ismail Azeez on how she achieved the feat. She revealed that four of her friends graduated with first class. She charged students to make use of their first opportunity to become successful in their academic.
How did you achieve the feat?
For me, I do say it didn’t happen all of a sudden, it was a build-up of little diligence and commitment to hit the lecture, each course and all semesters. All of those contributed to the attainment of the feat and like it’s been said little drop of water makes a mighty ocean. I believe in putting in my little best all the time. That contributed to the attainment of the feat.
Did you envisage being the best graduating student when you gained admission?
I didn’t envisage being the best graduating student as at the time I gained admission. I didn’t come to school having that as a dream or a goal. The goal I was very sure of was that as I came to UNIOSUN, I would leave the school with a first class that was basically and the simple goal I had, having a first class and that was it.
What were the challenges you faced while trying to be the best?
The challenge is said to be the breakfast of champions. And life is filled with challenges. So yes, I had some challenges during my course duration, ranging from finance to even not able to comprehend certain courses, maybe due to the lecturing format or pattern that was being used. Sometimes, time constraints were there as well, having a whole lot to do within a limited time. These were some of the challenges I would say I encountered in trying to be the very best while on campus.
I had a group of friends that we needed to meet at some points to trash out difficult topics which really helped in easing the journey and making it easier for me, not just me, and all of my friends as well. I want to point out that even among those my friends that we did meet, four of us had first class. I believe that that kind of association contributed to our success.
What’s your greatest motivation?
My greatest motivation is excellence. I believe so much in excellence. I believe so much in being the best I can be, because God didn’t make any inferior creature or any inferior being, and looking at the creation, everything God created was perfect, excellent, beautiful, efficient and effective. And the Bible says, (I believe in the Bible) whatsoever your hand finds doing, do it with all your might, I believe in giving my best shots at everything I’m doing at any particular point in time, because I believe that having an opportunity to do something most of the time, if the opportunity is messed up, it may not present itself again. So whenever you have the opportunity to do something, or I have opportunity to do something I believe in doing it the best way the first time. That is what I see as my greatest motivation, excellence.
How would you advise those willing to be like you someday?
Those that are willing to pursue the path of success should know that it is open and they do say there is so much room at the top for anyone that aspires to get there. First, I will say believe in yourself, make a decision to succeed. Be determined, because determination is needed when the challenges come. That decision you have made wouldn’t fluctuate. That is why determination is necessary. And also your association, association matters a whole lot. Determination and association are key elements you need to succeed in life.
What was growing up like for you?
Growing up for me was moderate. It was fair, and the family was average. In my family, we had the basic necessities of life and I’m grateful to my parents for providing basic education and being there for us. We didn’t have it all, but we are able to get basic necessities of life. So it was fine, it was good. We have challenges but threw it up here. I am what I am today by God’s grace.
