A few months ago, the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) conducted an exam for candidates looking to move to the university. September, this year, the lucky ones will be admitted into various universities across the country and it is going to be a whole new experience for them. Some universities have started to release admission lists so that candidates can check and know their stand. If you already have an admission letter or are hopeful that you will get one soon, then, you are about to be a fresher!
Fresher is the popular name given to anyone who just gained admission into the university. Oftentimes, jokingly, they are also referred to as “JJC” – Johnny just come. All of these names reinforce that there are people who are new to the system and do not know how certain things work within the university. If that is you, then, keep reading!
Understanding the University Admission Process
The admission process starts immediately you view your admission status on JAMB CAPS. Excitement is a thing, so you want to be careful while viewing the website. If you have been given admission, the website requests that you accept or decline it. Read through, calm down, and pick the right option for you. Don’t be too happy that you go ahead to make a mistake.
After receiving your admission, visit the school website or ask questions on the school groups that you belong to. Universities in Nigeria require that you pay an acceptance fee before you go ahead with other major processes. So, make inquiries about how to go about it; are you to pay online or go to a bank? Are you expected to generate a remita code? How much is the acceptance fee? When is the deadline to pay? Make sure you have answers to all of these questions before making any payment.
Furthermore, after sorting your acceptance fee, (depending on the admission process style of the school), you may have to be at the school premises for verification of your credentials. Nigerian Universities do this to ward off any form of fraud and maintain the integrity of their admissions and academic standards. They need to know that each of the results you are presenting are genuine ones. Hence, you may want to go with the original and photocopies of your Jamb, Post-Utme, or screening, SSCE results, and other documents requested by the school.
NOTE: You are to part with only the photocopies of your results and keep the originals.
Sorting your Accommodation
Except you live a stone’s throw or a few houses away from the University, you need accommodation. Universities in Nigeria – Private, Federal, or state usually have plans for freshers and it is important that you know how it works. On-campus accommodation, commonly known as “School Hostels” is the best bet for freshers because of the proximity to classrooms and other facilities. Also, freshers can meet with fellow new students, share information and ideas, and most importantly, feel a sense of belonging. But, if you would prefer even more privacy and opt for an off-campus hostel, it’s not a bad idea either. However, you want to be careful while checking out these hostels; consider factors like safety, cost, and closeness to the school because you don’t always want to be late for lectures.
If you are taking the school hostel, make sure that you are informed about how it works. Do you have to submit an application? Do you have to ballot? Where do you pay to? Is there a payment deadline? Ask questions, so that you don’t forfeit the opportunity to live on campus. For freshers who would prefer to live off-campus, check around to see what the available amenities are; does the building have enough freshers that you can relate with? Is there a library? Is there a good water and electricity supply? Are there laundry facilities? Are there other bills you need to pay apart from the hostel fee? The gist is that freshers always have questions, so don’t feel bad for asking too many questions.
University Orientation programs
These Universities understand that it is your first time in such an institution and you may be “lost” in so many ways. So, they deem it fit to organize an orientation program to help freshers acclimate to the new environment. During this program, valuable information and support will be dished out to new students. This can include introducing the students to the different layouts of the school, from the lecture rooms to the laboratories, Libraries, and administrative offices.
Also, students get to know the faces of certain lecturers and understand the university policies (what to wear and what not to wear, where to be and where not to be). If you have concerns about courses and course advisors, you will get answers to your questions at the orientation. This solidifies why a fresher should attend the orientation program. It may be tempting to stay back because you have had a long time hopping in and out of offices, fixing other admission processes but never skip the orientation program. All the information you need to have a seamless time as a newbie will shared at this event and missing out on them may cost you.
You need a Plan
You don’t have to lose yourself because you are a fresher. Remember that the journey has started and you are looking forward to a result in due time. So, start off well! Create a schedule for yourself; this can be done once you have access to your timetable. Check how many hours you have to spend in school each day and build a schedule around it. There is great fun in the university but you don’t want to get carried away which is why you need a personal timetable. Mark out time for classes, rest, leisure, and study, and stick to these times. Manage your time properly, if need be, download apps that can assist you to achieve your goals. What CGPA are you looking to have at the end of the first semester? Write it somewhere and remind yourself every day that it is doable.
Making University Friends
One of the most interesting highlights of gaining admission into the university is that you get to make new friends who are either freshers like you or other students who have been in the university for one or two years. Some days in the university can be too overwhelming for you that you suck at “getting it together,” your friends should be a support system for you to lean on and move through the stress together. A popular saying goes “No man is an island of knowledge” and this means that no one is self-sufficient and it is impossible to know all things. This is why you should have friends you can count on to be study partners or project mates. However, it is important to know that your choice of friends will greatly influence your academic performance. So, you want to do good justice to picking who your uni buddies will be.
Health and Wellness
If you have never been out of your parent’s reach like this, then, your health and wellness automatically becomes your job when you gain admission. Take care of yourself and maintain the best physical health because you will need it to achieve academic success. Only a fit person can attend classes, write tests, and ace exams. Eat when you should – don’t skip breakfast and go to class with an empty stomach. Drink enough water, sleep when you should, and never allow insomnia to set in. If you are struggling with your mental health, visit a therapist or cut yourself a bit of slack if that would work. If you don’t feel well, don’t stay back in the hostel hoping to get better, go to the hospital, get checked, and be treated. Take some time off classes to rest so that you can get enough strength to return. If your school has a gym, you may want to visit just to keep fit. Eat enough fruits, you need the Vitamin C. Stay clear of alcohol and drugs; they don’t help you to study better. They only damage your body system and rob you of your goals.
Handling Finances
The popular joke is that “University students are always buying;” maybe, maybe not. But, there is a great need to take charge of your finances the right way. You have to pay tuition fees, buy books, feed, and attend social activities, so, work with a budget. A budget allows you to spend within your means and manage your money. Also, don’t dabble into debt – if you don’t have the money, you don’t have to buy it. Savings may really “save” you on rainy days and you don’t have to start running from pillar to post to sort a bill. If you don’t have a saving culture, maybe it’s time to consider it. You will love it for yourself.
Furthermore, prioritize your needs over your wants. If you need it, go for it. If you want it, you may have to check your budget first to be sure you are not straining your finances. Teach yourself about personal finance, listen to finance coaches, and follow relevant pages. Poor financial decisions such as taking loans can lead to long-term financial burdens and take a toll on academic performance
Don’t shy away from Support
When you experience academic setbacks, don’t keep to yourself. It can be quite a chore to share this part of you with any other person but you need the support. Talk to a counselor or a friend that you trust as this can help you manage your stress and anxiety. They can also show you what next step to take. Your course advisor is another person who can be of help in times like this, talk to them. They understand how clueless you can be, so they provide guidance on course selection, study strategies, and academic planning. If you know anyone who has been through the same challenge, talk to them and ask for ideas they think can help you pull through the phase. Remind yourself that you can be even better and that the phase will pass and be gone for good.
Conclusion
Being a university fresher is a “phase” of your university life. It doesn’t last forever if you do the right thing. Count a few months to this time and you have moved from being a fresher to a 2nd year student, a 3rd year student and before you know it, you are writing your final exams. For some people, it is 4 years, for others, it is 5-6 years. Regardless of the years that you spend, make it count! Go for gold!
