By Toluwalase Oderinde
For many students, gaining university admission is a dream come true. Whether they have clear expectations or have simply heard stories from others, they often enter with a mix of excitement and curiosity. But what happens when expectations meet reality? Does university life live up to the dream, or does it turn out to be something entirely different?
To explore the contrast between the expectations and the reality of university, this feature contains interviews with students of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), who shared their pre-admission hopes and the realities they encountered along the way.
The Dream: High Hopes and Big Expectations
Before gaining admission, students often imagine university as an escape from strict home routines and a place filled with exciting opportunities. Esther Taiwo, a 300-level student, admitted that she had high expectations, especially since she had spent a year at home before gaining admission.
“First of all is freedom. I always pictured how free I was going to be. I also thought university would be my ticket to becoming a multi-billionaire. I know it might be weird, but it is what it is,” she said.
Soremi Oluwafemi, a 400-level student, had even bigger dreams. “I thought I’d meet people from different backgrounds, maybe even the love of my life. I also thought I’d meet rich kids who would spend money on me,” he joked. However, like many others, he also feared cultism and academic struggles.
Similarly, Thank-God, a 300-level student, envisioned university life as an exciting journey filled with new friendships and personal growth. “I expected university life to be full of excitement and freedom—an opportunity to meet people who could inspire me academically and personally,” she shared. She also thought it would be a time to take full control of her life and make important decisions about her future.
Bernice Adeshina, another 400-level student, had no grand expectations, but she was prepared for stress. “I had heard from senior students that university was stressful, so I prepared myself for that,” she said.
For Mubarak Olayode, freedom was the most attractive part of university life. “I thought I’d have time for myself, no assignments, just exams,” he admitted. He also expected to explore new experiences and meet people outside his comfort zone.
The Reality: Stress, ‘Shege,’ and Survival
Once they entered university, many students quickly realized that their expectations did not match reality.
“The university has been throwing a lot of big shades at me,” Oluwafemi said, laughing. “It’s full of stress—you barely have time to breathe.”
For Bernice, the biggest shock was the workload. “Submitting two or three handwritten assignments in one day, with each being at least four pages? I didn’t know they still did that in university,” she said. Financial struggles also became a challenge she hadn’t fully anticipated.
Toluwalase Samuel, a 200-level student, had mentally prepared for a stressful experience but was still taken aback. “I honestly knew university would be draining, but it turned out to be even more than I expected,” he said.
Thank-God was also taken aback by the level of responsibility that came with university life. “University is a lot more challenging than I expected. The academic pressure is intense, and managing time isn’t as easy as I thought. It’s not all fun and freedom—there’s a lot of responsibility,” he said. The biggest surprise for him was the independence required. “No one pushes you to study or keep up with assignments—you have to do it yourself.”
Financial constraints were another harsh reality. Esther quickly realized that university was not the money-making opportunity she had imagined. “I thought I’d be getting more allowance, but instead, my dad tells me to manage what I have for a set period. If it finishes before then, that’s my problem,” she said.
For Oluwafemi, survival in university has been his biggest challenge. “Academics isn’t the issue. It’s survival, especially for someone like me from a humble background,” he said.
Personal Growth: Learning, Adapting, and Evolving
Despite the challenges, most students agree that university has played a crucial role in shaping them.
Bernice reflected on how much she had changed. “The innocent girl that came to Ago iwoye is not the same again. I have learned, unlearned, and relearned, and I’m still learning. The growth is beautiful,” she said.
She also picked up valuable skills, such as video editing, designing, and content creation. “I started learning all these in school. I’m grateful to my parents for sending me here,” she said.
Mubarak shared a similar sentiment. “I’ve met different people, faced situations where I had to figure things out myself, and gone through ups and downs. Now, I don’t panic—I just stay calm and solve my problems,” he said.
For Esther, the university has helped her become more responsible. “It has taught me accounting, time management, and how to be more accommodating,” she said.
Oluwafemi also noted that the university has exposed him to social and political activities. “I’ve been involved in academics, social life, and politics. It has been a lot, but I’ve learned and grown so much,” he said.
Lessons and Advice for Incoming Students
With their experiences in mind, the students shared some advice for new students entering university.
Bernice emphasized humility and the importance of relationships. “You’re not the best. Some people know more than you. Be humble, relate with others, and learn from them,” she advised.
She also encouraged students to prioritize their faith. “University life is not easy. Put Jesus first, and he will help you navigate everything,” she said.
Oluwafemi warned about trust issues. “Don’t ever think you know someone very well. Never trust anyone blindly,” he cautioned. He also stressed the importance of academic focus. “You can only build a fine house on a strong foundation. Focus from the start.”
For Esther, financial management is key. “Don’t expect your allowance to come whenever you need it. Learn how to budget,” she advised.
Mubarak emphasized self-control. “Avoid peer pressure. Be respectful and have fun, but don’t let it affect your academics. Move with good circles and avoid negative influences,” he said.
Does University Prepare Students for the Real World?
There is an ongoing debate about how well universities prepare students for life after graduation. Some believe that while academic knowledge is important, real-world preparation comes from experience.
“University is just meant to open your brain,” Bernice said. “You don’t learn about the real world by reading books, but it gives you a foresight of what to expect.”
Mubarak added that university teaches adaptability. “The challenges, obstacles, and deadlines force you to work with different kinds of people, adapt, and think critically. These experiences prepare you for life outside university,” he said.
Oluwafemi had a more blunt take. “University prepares you ahead of the outside world because you’ve seen different ‘siege’ here. And there’s more ‘shege’ outside. You will cope.”
University life is rarely what students expect. It is a complex mix of fun, struggles, growth, and self-discovery. While some expectations are met, many are reshaped by reality. For the students of OOU, the university has been a tough but rewarding journey, offering lessons that extend beyond academics.
Ultimately, university is what students make of it. As Bernice wisely put it, “In Uni, you choose the life you want to live.”