My first semester in MAPOLY greatly exceeded my expectations. It has been an interesting and a learning experience. Lots of ups and downs, excitement and challenges – new student orientation, first day of class – and indeed I loved every second of them all.
I remember the first day I entered the polytechnic, I felt excited and at the same time I was very nervous because it was my first day in a higher institution and I didn’t know jack talkless of Jackson in my department.
The first day was good, giving love and pain to me coincidentally. I recall how finding my lecture room was difficult. I was lost and had to ask someone where the lecture room was. The person was nice and instructed me to the right direction. I found my lecture room, attended lecture, afterwhich, I started registration.
Carrying out my registration in MAPOLY was a stressful exercise I had to pass through, walking up and down to do photocopy and to take a lot of passports. After doing all the photocopies and the passports as well asarranging all my documents – the infamous File A and File B – I had to start looking for the offices of the appropriate school officials that will sign my clearance form. I recall how I struggled against all odds to finish my clearance that same day. It was very stressful. The scenario was the complete opposite of what I thought would be.
The first week I started receiving lecture was interesting, not until the second week when I had to start dealing with assignments. I had to do and submit different assignments everyday of lecture. MAPOLY is somewhat cold in dishing out assignments to fresh students. Dealing with assignment was another stress because I had to do today and submit tomorrow. I found myself getting overwhelmed because of the truckload of assignments.
The school has indeed, within a short while, taught me a lot, both academically and outside of the lecture room. I have learned much about writing and rhetoric. From here, I have learnt that the lecture room is not the only place where learning takes place. I have learned so much from the relationship I have made. I have made incredible bonds with the amazing people I met this year.
Then came Press Club MAPOLY. Being a member of the polytechnic’s press club is also an advantage I don’t play down on as Press club MAPOLY has helped in so many ways. I really do believe that the club has added to my experience. It has helped me take a step forward and do something I never thought I could do. The club taught me how to get my priorities straight and to take charge of my life. It helped me in developing my writing skills as well as exposing me to different media houses and their workings. The club has helped and will hopefully continue to help me overcome personal barriers of confidence and independence. This coming semester, I am looking forward to what else the club is going to offer me and the different opportunities I am going to meet.
Importantly, I must state that my first semester in MAPOLY taught me that being successful in higher institution depends on how you prioritize your studies and how you take it seriously. Higher institution is nothing compared to secondary school. You suddenly get so much freedom, have the choice of going to class or not going to class, have the choice of going to events or studying for exam, have the choice of grabbing a midnight snack or going to sleep. You are literally spoilt for choices but not immune to the consequences of the ones you decide to take.
The examination period in MAPOLY is yet another talking point to major on as it is not something easy. The exam in MAPOLY is quite different from the exams I have been writing. Having written my first set of exams in the school, I understand perfectly why before then some seniors were always apprehensive to see their results, because sometimes the exam question smiles at you and sometimes it frowns at you. Writing exam is another major experience in MAPOLY.
Overall, it was a semester laden with lessons as I got a good hang of the need to start early, get as much experience as possible, take chances, be careful, work hard and learn in and out of the class.
For years, the experience and memories will live with me as much as the lessons certainly promise to prove vital. For nothing will I exchange my first semester in MAPOLY.
Nofisat Adedeji is an ND1 student of the department of Mass Communication
