Recently, the University of Ibadan held its convocation ceremony and Badru Oluwabunmi, a graduate of English language scored a 3.67 CGPA to emerge as the best graduating student in the Department of English.In an interview with KOREDE BADMUS , Badru shared insights into her academic success, setbacks she overcame and valuable advice for aspiring high-achievers.
Badru says he was a Proof English Is Not an Easy Course, adding that self-discipline and God Set her apart . Enjoy the excerpts.
Congratulations on achieving the highest honours in your department! Can you describe how you felt when you were announced the best graduating student of the department?
I was excited. I was happy because my hard work paid off.
What inspired you to study English and Literary Studies, and how do you see your course of study making a difference in the world?
I was inspired basically because I wanted a course that would allow me to express my creativity and also explore the world of literature. Of all the courses available, I realized that law was not the right course due to my lack of passion for it. I also felt like the department was crowded. Considering my background, I realized that I’m from an average family, so I chose to study English and Literary Studies. Throughout my studies, I have learned a lot.
Were there times when you felt like giving up? If yes, what kept you going?
I’d say I never felt like giving up. It has never been in my plan to give up. Although there were days I felt tired of pursuing a first-class degree, I was only tired — I never thought of giving up. Whenever I’m tired, I take a break. When I say break, I mean I temporarily stay away from academics, then come back to it later. However, I never felt like giving up.
Can you walk us through your process of writing literary essays?
First, I followed my syllabus. In the literary world, you would be given specific texts to read, so I ensured I went through my texts properly. I didn’t always read my texts just once because studies have proven that when you go over things again, you get the information better than the first time you came across it. I made sure I went through my texts not just once for easier assimilation. When taught anything, I made sure I went through everything, reading different things from other scholars in order to fill in the gap and know more about what I’d been taught in class.
Looking back, what would you tell your younger self about the journey ahead?
I would advise my younger self not to settle for mediocrity and to be hungry for success because success is only achievable when one is truly hungry for it. I’d also tell her that the path ahead may not be easy, but the reward will be worth the effort.
If you could go back, what would you have changed or done differently?
To be honest, it’s difficult to pinpoint what I would have done differently. I’m not sure what changes I would have made.
If you did not study your course, which course would you have offered?
If I hadn’t studied English, I would have gone for Medicine.
What was your experience at UI like?
There wasn’t much time for enjoyment. As an undergraduate, I didn’t have time for social activities like going out because, then, I was involved in politics. Also, I served as the president of the University of Ibadan Poetry Club in 300 level. Coupled with this, I was also the treasurer of my department in 200 level. Politics really took my time, and it didn’t allow me to have time for other social activities. In a word, my experience as an undergraduate at UI was “busy.”
What advice would you give to scholars who aspire to make a meaningful impact in the literary world?
I would say that it is important to strike a balance between academic pursuits and extracurricular activities. As scholars, we shouldn’t limit ourselves to just books. Engaging in extracurricular activities will help in building our intellect, providing that when crafting our CVs, these experiences are needed. It is not a must to go into politics; you can join a poetry club, press club, or other organizations that will help sharpen you. So, my advice to young scholars trying to make a meaningful impact in the literary world is to strike a balance and not just put all their eggs in one basket.
What’s the biggest risk you took in your academic journey, and was it worth it?
In my 100 and 400 levels, I took the risk of combining academics with working outside school. I needed money, so I taught students in tutorials, which affected me somewhat. But I’m happy that God helped me to balance both. By my 300 level, I had to stop working outside school because I felt like it wasn’t worth it. I already got what I needed the money for, so I stopped and decided to focus on my academics.
What’s the one thing you’re proud of accomplishing, even if it wasn’t perfect?
One thing I’m proud of is receiving an award that had never been given to anyone in the department before. I am the first person to receive this award in the department as the best graduating female student who has also been active in politics. Most best graduating students in my department were not involved in politics. I’m proud of this accomplishment because it’s something big for me.
Many people think English is an easy course. What’s your take on this?
That’s just a misconception; it’s not based on fact. Only a person that has undergone the course would say something that would be factual, and I believe I’m that person. English is not an easy course. I’ll start with the cutoff mark. In the University of Ibadan, the cutoff mark is very high — 71 points, compared to 74 points for Law. My UTME score was 290, and I scored 79 in my Post-UTME before I could be admitted to study the course. This is a guarantee that it is not an easy course. Also, in my department, only seven people graduated with first-class honors. I understand why some people might think English is easy, which is basically because they assume it’s just about speaking the language, but they don’t know that English and Literary Studies is a complex course that comprises both language and literature. English as a language is different from English as a course. Again, English and Literary Studies is not an easy course; it is only based on sentiment. When you study it as a discipline, you’ll understand that it is complex.
What do you think sets you apart from your peers in terms of academic performance?
Firstly, I attribute my success to God, because without God, achieving things would have been difficult. My relationship with God has been pivotal. Another key thing is self-discipline. Though I was involved in other activities, self-discipline helped me to balance them effectively. I had my personal timetable, and this enabled me to make sure that no matter how tired I was, my study time remained uninterrupted. Self-discipline is quite challenging for students to develop, but in the long run, it helps. So, I’d say self-discipline set me apart.
What strategy or study method did you adopt that helped you throughout your undergraduate studies?
The first strategy I adopted was having my personal reading time and creating a personal reading timetable. I read beyond what was taught in class and made effective use of Google and YouTube. Using these tools, I made my own personal notes. I barely had time to sleep because I aimed to cover my syllabus three times. Unlike some of my peers, I didn’t just study my syllabus once but always ensured to digest every bit of it. I highly recommend this strategy.
What advice would you give to students struggling academically but wanting to improve their grades?
My advice is to avoid depending on yourself. Don’t depend alone on your ability, leaving God out of the equation. I was once in that situation, but God helped me. Always acknowledge God and allow Him to help you. Also, believe in yourself. Challenge yourself to push beyond your limits. Know that there is no dream too big when you are willing to pursue it wholeheartedly. You must also be dedicated and disciplined.
As you move forward, what do you hope to achieve, and how do you see yourself making a meaningful impact?
Currently, I’m serving in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and I’ve recently been posted to a location that is in line with my career. After completing my service, I plan to pursue my master’s degree, and I’m already applying for scholarships abroad. Giving back to society as well as building a massive tutorial academy for students is one way I hope to make a meaningful impact on others.
“Balancing Academics and Leadership: UI’s Top Graduate Shares Journey to Excellence in English and Literary Studies”
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