“In My 400Level, I Regretted Being Too Serious With My Academics”- Imisioluwa #FreshGradTales
Hey there!!! Welcome to another episode of #FreshGradTales. If you’re visiting for the first time, FreshGradTales is a series of interviews with fresh graduates from universities across Nigeria. Today, I have the pleasure of sharing one of the thrilling interviews with fresh graduates that I have had. I enjoyed every bit of it! He is Owonikoko Lekan Joseph (Imisioluwa), a fresh graduate from the department of Music, Obafemi Awolowo University. Enjoy the interview as much as I enjoyed it. ?
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Why did you come to OAU?
First, interestingly, was because OAU went on strike regularly and that was going to work very well for me. I was going to need all the time to be able to do so many other things while in school and OAU was just perfect. Second reason why I came to OAU was because I was changing from the Sciences to do Music so I needed a school that could accommodate my O’levels. Then I wanted OAU because I was hoping I could be influenced with indigenous African Music. I really wanted to do African music.
Where did the love for music start from? What influenced it?
I believe every individual is wired in certain ways. I didn’t choose it (Music), I found out that I was just in love with it. I was particularly in love with how music affects the mind- the interactions between people and music and I saw it as a tool to influence people. I’ve always been around music but I didn’t always want to study Music because I didn’t think it was necessary.
Could you explain what your journey in OAU was like?
After my final exam, someone asked me how it felt to be a graduate. The first thing I said was that I felt cheated. I think Nigeria’s version of western education is highly overrated. The problem is not with education but the way we have been doing it overtime. So my journey in OAU has really not been too interesting in terms of the academics. I think I lost interest in the entire school thing after my first semester, part one. I realized that the school was not preparing me for what I wanted to be but for what my lecturers thought I should be. In my 400L, I regetted being too serious with my academics. It wasn’t until 300L that I began to do some other important things.
What were the “other important things” you started doing in 300L?
They were still part of music but were not core academic music. In 300L, I started an NGO- Music for Development- and the goal was to use music as a tool for social change. In 2015, we had our independence month which was to preach a message of responsibility to the youths to stop asking the system to necessarily change before we change. The next year, we did the Girl-Child Concert which was also in October and that was to advocate against rape, violence and harassment.
What were the challenges you faced?
The fact that the university is not equipped for what we are learning. Our lecturers also know that something is wrong with the system but they say there’s nothing they can do.
Any mistakes or regrets?
I didn’t do politics earlier. I contested for presidency in my part 3 but I stepped down. Looking back now, I should just have continued. A lot of people have not forgiven me for that.
So, what next?
For me, what next is not what next but a continuation of what has always been. I’ve always been an advocate of “If you are still waiting to graduate then you are late already” so there are a lot of things that I have been test-running. I’ll launch out now but it’s still around music. It’s time to solidify my NGO. I really want to be a music business entrepreneur.
Any words for students?
Understand who you are. Know that the world has changed and is changing rapidly. The system that held the former generation nay not necessarily work for us. We must open ourselves up to the possibilities of this generation because our children will take no excuses. If you need to read your books, read. Know who you are, know where you’re going and be bold enough to take steps to get there.
Thank you very much, Mr Imisioluwa. I have had a pleasant time speaking with you.
I’m very honoured. Thank you.
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FreshGradTales is a series of interviews for fresh graduates from ALL universities in Nigeria. If you are a fresh university graduate and would love to share your stories and experiences, get in touch via WhatsApp (08184908965) or send a mail to [email protected]
How To And How Not To Use Hashtags (For The Common Social Media User)
With the little time I have spent on the social media, one of the vital things I’ve had to relate to, learn and use are hashtags. Hashtags have basically been a part of my journey on social media and I would attribute my job as a social media manager to that. What I have observed over the years, though, is that hashtags are relatively becoming more popular than they were on social media a few years ago, especially on Facebook which was initially not designed to accommodate hashtags.
I love to use hashtags for whatever project I am embarking on because asides the fact that hashtags are cool, they very much pass your message across without you having to talk much. However, it is highly repulsive when I see someone use an hashtag in the wrong way. So, since I am tired of seeing such on my timelines, I have written this for the common social media user. Of course, they should help you if you’re looking at using hashtags for an upcoming event or for your business but this is basically for everyday use.
Hashtags are words following an Hash (#) character and are directed at passing a message across concerning a situation, an event, a business and whatever have you at first sight. In other words, when I see an hashtag, I should have a basic knowledge of what message you are trying to pass across. So an hashtag is meant to give an idea of what you’re trying to tell us- succinct and interesting.
What To Know Generally About Hashtags:
1. Hashtags are not meant to replace your long sentences (although this can be permitted on Instagram) but on Facebook and Twitter, please stick to short phrases. Don’t go writing something like, “#Ilovemymummysomuchicoulddieforher” or something like that. That is a very wrong way to use hashtags on Twitter or Facebook. Let your hashtags be short, straight-to-the-point and yes, relatable.
In the same way, you do not have to start all the words of your sentences with an hashtag. Writing something like, ” #Courage #is #needed #to #succeed” is totally off. Please be warned.
2. When using an hashtag, know that the word(s) you are meant to use should be directly behind the hash character. Don’t write something like, ” # Success” else you’ll be having an hash and a tag and not an hashtag. Okay?
3. When using hashtags, don’t use any punctuation marks in between (commas, fullstops, colon, hyphen etc). Punctuation marks will break your hashtag. Underscores (_), however, are allowed.
4. If you do not need to use an hashtag, really do not. I get displeased when I see people using hashtags that have no use in the first place. If all you need is a sentence, write your sentence. If all you need to write is an ordinary word, write it. Like I mentioned earlier, hashtags are meant to be phrases which can convey information on first sight, or at least, make people want to find out what the hashtag is about.
5. For business owners and organizations, be creative in your use of hashtags. You want hashtags that people could, over time, attach to your brand so use hashtags that are unique to your brand, specific, catchy and ones that can stick to the heads of your customers. So, as a personal advice, stick to one or two official hashtags for your brand. I could help out with this if you need help. I have a history of creating good hashtags ?
6. Asides Instagram, one or two hashtags are quite enough for every tweet or post of yours. You do not need to design your tweets and posts on Facebook with hashtags. Instagram allows this though.
I hope this helped. If you have any questions, I’ll be glad to answer.
You could connect with me on these platforms:
Twitter: @Orifunke
Facebook: Orifunke Lawal
E-mail: [email protected]
Photo-credit: Google
“I Recognized The Issue Of Boyfriend-Girlfriend As A Potential Unwanted Distraction.”- Kehinde Martin #FreshGradTales
Hello! Welcome to #FreshGradTales ??? Today, we have an interview with Mr Kehinde Martin who is a fresh graduate from the department of Geography, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Kehinde Martin hails from Ikakumo Akoko in Ondo State and is the last born of a family of six and enjoys football and reading. I am sure you definitely would enjoy his interview.
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How has OAU been for you from Part One till now?
Let me begin. I started as a Science student before I transferred to the Social Sciences due to some circumstances. In spite of this, OAU is a school that taught me real life issues. I would say the journey from Part One till now has been challenging, full of ups and downs. The OAU sojourn has moulded me to be a better version of me
Having to cross from the sciences to a department you didn’t have any intention to study in the first place, what did it feel like at first?
I would say it was very difficult at first, psychologically, most especially. I found it quite difficult to acclimatize myself to my new department but the support of my dad and siblings was there for me. I told myself I needed to mix and feel at home, which the Lord helped me to do.
All right. Are there any experiences you wouldn’t forget in a long while that you faced on campus- whether good, bad, funny or embarrassing?
Yeah.. There was this terrible illness I had in 2012, November to be precise. The intervention of God and a family friend ensured that I came through it unscathed. I had a lot of good experiences too, but I wouldn’t forget the day Dr. OLAPOJU called my name in GPY202 class (Economic Geography) and announced that I had the best score in GPY 201. I saved the date in my diary… *laughs*
Were you in any relationship(s)?
Nope. Not on OAU campus anyway.
Really, Why?
Lol..I didn’t have any before I left Geology. Getting to Geography, a new department, a new opportunity to start everything afresh, I recognized the issue of boyfriend-girlfriend as a potential unwanted distraction.
Could you share some of the life lessons OAU taught you with us?
Like I have earlier said, OAU is a school that has taught me many things. Discipline is an important lesson OAU has taught me. Maintaining a balance with the stressful demands of academics, spiritual activities and social life requires a huge discipline. Nothing comes easy in OAU. With this, the school has taught me to be strong mentally and always be prepared for anything. I do say that if you can survive OAU with all her trouble, thriving the outside world shouldn’t be much of a problem.
Any words of advice for current students?
A wise man once said, “Greatness is never achieved by never falling but by rising each time we fall”. Every successful person out there has had their own moment of real darkness too but what distinguished them eventually is their tenacity, doggedness and never-say-die attitude. To the current students of Geography and OAU at large, I would advise they shouldn’t let go of their academic dream and aspirations come what may. You will have challenges, for sure, but your ingenuity in turning your challenges to blessings and stepping stones to success will eventually define you. OAU will shake and almost break you, but never give up because all these will eventually make you.
Thank you, Mr Martin. Any final words, requests or shoutouts?
My shout out goes to my classmates- the Eximius class of 2016, my friend Oliyide Olushesi and other people who in one way or the other have helped made my OAU journey a success. I say God bless you all. Thanks.
Thank you very much for the time.
I really appreciate you too ma’am. You are always welcome.
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#FreshGradTales is a series of interviews for fresh graduates from ALL universities in Nigeria. If you are a fresh university graduate and would love to share your stories and experiences, get in touch via WhatsApp (08184908965) or send a mail to [email protected]