UNN First Class Graduate Shares Secrets to Academic Success with PurpleWorld

In a recent interview with PurpleWorld Correspondent Sarah Adeyemo, a first-class graduate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, shared valuable insights on achieving academic success in a fast-paced university environment.

A student and a spoken word poet, Iheoma Uzomba, bags a first class degree with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.72 in English and Literary Studies from the University of Nigeria, NSUKKA. She narrates her journey to Sarah Adeyemo, PurpleWorld correspondent, on how she was able to rise to the top of her class with hard work and determination.

Hello, can we meet you?

Hi, I’m Iheoma Uzomba—a spoken word poet, researcher, and everything in between. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Literary Studies from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where I graduated with First Class Honors and was the Best Graduating Student of my cohort. In 2022, I won the Lagos-London Poetry Contest and was selected as a Poetry Translation Center (UK) UNDERTOW Fellow. I also served as editor-in-chief of The Muse Journal No. 50, the oldest surviving students’ journal in West Africa, founded by Chinua Achebe in 1963. A passionate poet, you can find me on Instagram: @iheomauzomba.

How did your journey start at the University of Nigeria Nsukka?

Like many other students, I began my journey at the University of Nigeria with the zest of a fresher. I attended numerous night classes and read extensively without much focus. Being quite introverted at the time, I had no social life, so it was just me, my books, and I.

What inspired you to study English and Literature?

Lol, yes, of all the courses, English. There was no particular inspiration other than a deep-seated belief that this was my path. When I first took my JAMB exams, I scored 294, which led family, friends, and teachers to advise me to consider a more lucrative field in today’s Nigeria, like Law or Economics. However, I remained steadfast in my choice because I always felt that English was meant for me. Fortunately, having the best Literature teacher in secondary school made my transition smooth and stress-free.

Did you engage in extracurricular activities while in school and what impact did they have on you?
To be fair, I didn’t have much of a social life before university, and it remained minimal even after I started. However, my most significant extracurricular activity was stage performance. I began performing spoken word poetry in school, and it became the highlight of my university experience. It had so much positive impact on me, bringing my craft into the spotlight. One of my most viral videos, with over 2 million impressions across social media platforms, features me performing a spoken word poem in my classroom.

How were you able to balance academic activities with extracurricular activities?

To be fair, there wasn’t much to balance for me since my extracurricular activities were minimal and never really took a toll on my studies. This allowed me to focus more on my academics without feeling stretched thin between commitments.

What were the challenges you faced while in school and how did you overcome them?
One of my biggest challenges in school was learning to focus on what truly mattered. University is a fast-paced environment, and success often means prioritizing the most important tasks. For me, this meant being strategic with my reading by following the course outline closely, rather than reading vaguely and without focus. It helped me concentrate on what was essential and made my study time more effective

What was your reading pattern? Did you adopt any special method?

My CGPA was 4.72, and one of the key strategies that helped me achieve this was ensuring that I reviewed everything taught in class as soon as I got home. This habit kept me on top of my studies, prevented me from getting lost or distracted, and allowed me to stay focused on my academic goals.

How did you emerge the best-graduating student of your department? What was your secret?

The secret to my success was mastering the art of both reading and writing. It’s one thing to read effectively, and it’s another to write effectively. To succeed as a university student, you need a combination of both skills to truly excel.

If it wasn’t English and literature, then what?

Lol. Perhaps Economics or something in Finance.

”School na scam” is a popular slang in Nigeria. What is your perceptive on this?

I do not subscribe to the notion that going to school is a ‘scam.’ This phrase reduces the immense value of education to mere material worth. School offers more than just financial opportunities; it enriches your mind and equips you with critical thinking skills. However, it’s ultimately up to the youth to realize and harness this value for themselves

What is your advice to students aspiring to achieve the feat you achieved?

My advice to students is simple: Read. Read like your life depends on it. Read every spare second or minute of the day. Pick up a book every chance you get and read. This is how you expand your mind, build your vocabulary, and gain new perspectives. Reading opens doors to creativity, and understanding that will help you navigate through life’s challenges. So, immerse yourself in books, and let them shape your thoughts.