MEET THE BEST GRADUATING STUDENT

Over the past week, the University of Lagos students have been trending on social media with discussions about how achieving a 5.0 GPA or a first-class degree is easy in Unilag. This is baffling so I took the initiative to interview the best-graduating student from the Department of Economics at the University of Lagos. Let’s explore her journey together.

Interviewer: Congratulations on graduating at the top of your class in the highly respected Economics department at the University of Lagos. Not only did you graduate with a first-class degree, but you were also recognized as the Best Graduating Student of the ECN Class of 2023. That's a remarkable achievement! Can you introduce yourself to our audience?
Victoria: My name is Awopetu Victoria Jolayemi, and excelling in everything I do has always been my priority. Wait, it seems like I may need to know more about myself!

Interviewer: (laughs) You’re quite funny! Well, we at least got to know your name. Thank you for joining us, Victoria. It’s an honour to have you here despite your busy schedule. You mentioned that you always strive to excel. Were you an A-list student from childhood, or when did this journey begin for you?
Victoria: Yes, I've always been an A-list student. I graduated at the top of my class throughout primary and junior secondary school, and I even led the art class in senior secondary. Mathematics and English were my strongest subjects, and I excelled in them, winning several prizes. I graduated with the highest JAMB score of 308 and was the Valedictorian at my school. Academics have always been important to me, and while I did once receive validation for my performance at secondary school, excelling remains a top priority for me.

Interviewer: Wow, I must commend you again; these achievements are outstanding! You must be a genius! Do you believe geniuses truly exist? Victoria: (laughs) Rest in Jesus' name! I don’t consider myself a genius. Honestly, I believe there are areas where I still need to grow. I think everyone has a bit of genius within them. The key is that we are all willing to work on becoming the best versions of ourselves. Even the bluntest iron can become sharp when properly sharpened. There are geniuses, and they are identified by the singular characteristic of commitment to what everyone thinks is difficult.

Interviewer: Thank you, my BGS; I've just learned that I am a genius too, just like everyone else! The essential thing is our willingness to improve ourselves. (giggles) Can you share a bit about your childhood, the schools you attended, and the prizes you won? I’m here for all the gist.
Victoria: I’m the last card of three children, so I grew up doing chores like washing dishes. I completed my WAEC at Debis Land, a school near my home. Honestly, I can’t remember all the prizes I won—I was head girl and participated in quizzes and led debates, but I can't remember anymore.

Interviewer: It sounds like there were many! Have you always wanted to study Economics, considering you were in the art class in secondary school?
Victoria: I originally dreamed of studying law and often imagined myself as a lawyer when I was younger. However, in senior secondary school, we got a new economics teacher I greatly admired, and that changed my path. I decided to study economics because I excelled in it, wanted to be like my teacher, and learned from my mentors that economics could lead to greater opportunities. Although I was an art student throughout secondary school, I took the required commercial subjects for JAMB. Economics was my first choice, and I was determined to pursue it before I even received my admission.

Interviewer: And you followed through, congratulations again! Many students hold various mindsets about academics, with sentiments like "school is a scam" or "I don’t promise anyone a first-class degree." What motivated you during your studies? Did you simply believe in your ability, or was there more to it? You mentioned having mentors as well.
Victoria: Thank you very much! I can’t pinpoint a specific motivation, but I did have a lot of supportive people around me. I initially started with a second-class grade, and my first goal was to raise it to a first-class. I just wanted to graduate with a first-class degree, so I focused on gathering as many A’s as possible. Once I achieved a first-class grade, my drive shifted to earning as many prizes as I could. It wasn’t for monetary rewards; it was simply because I've always been accustomed to going up on stage to receive awards. I knew that my time at UNILAG had to be no different. People often say there’s no first position in a class, but that’s not true. There is always a best-graduating student, and even among them, there’s an overall best. While striving to improve my grades and collect awards, I ended up becoming the best and most decorated student in my department. With my determination to graduate well and the right support around me, I was able to surpass my expectations.

Interviewer: This is inspiring, and I am so motivated. I’m genuinely happy for you—you achieved what you wanted! Aside from being a regular student, what else do you do? I know you’re the outgoing financial secretary of Nesa. How do you manage to balance your academics and social life? Also, you didn't get a chance to tell us about your mentors.
Victoria: It wasn't just about the books for me. I enrolled in courses on data analytics and later transitioned into data science. I also became involved in several volunteering roles and internships. Additionally, I co-founded an eco-friendly NGO with a group of friends and joined a fellowship to broaden my horizons.

Interviewer: Oh, really? What's the NGO about?
Victoria: The NGO was an eco-friendly organization that focused on converting plastic into renewable materials. While plastic is technically renewable, we aimed to transform it into other items that can also be renewed. It was a great project, but we weren't able to move forward with it. It was something we were passionate about at the time, but unfortunately, it no longer exists.

Interviewer: I’m sorry to hear that.
Victoria: You don’t need to be sorry.

Interviewer: That’s fine. What were your most feared courses? Which courses did you find difficult, and which ones were easy?
Victoria: Most feared courses? I don't think I had any— I always looked forward to each course. The easiest courses for me were those that involved calculations; I find them very easy to pass because I enjoy math. As for how I navigate my studies, I try to study every day. I’m not too rigid about it, though; I make sure to be consistent, studying at least every other day.

Interviewer: Do you usually study alone, or do you have study partners?
Victoria: I prefer studying alone because I don’t assimilate well when I study with others. I do have a small group of friends with whom I occasionally review materials, but it's mostly about going over what I’ve already studied. It’s about 90% reading alone and 10% studying with friends. I believe the most important thing is finding what works for you. I know that studying with friends doesn’t suit me, especially when I’m trying to understand a topic and someone else starts asking questions about something different. That can be overwhelming for me.

Interviewer: I can relate; I also don’t like studying in groups. Have you ever failed, perhaps in secondary school, or has it all been smooth sailing for you?
Victoria: Hmm... have I ever failed? It depends on what you mean by failure.

Interviewer: How do you define failure?
Victoria: To me, failure means not trying again. I’ve never reached a point where I wouldn’t try again. If you’re asking about failing academically, I did experience something in primary school. I didn’t come in first place one term and was second instead.

Interviewer: You view the second place as a failure?
Victoria: I was in primary four at the time. It didn’t feel great, so I considered it a form of failure.

Interviewer: That’s impressive; many people would celebrate being second. It’s clear that everyone has a different definition of failure, and yours seems quite high. Did you stay in the school hostel, or did you have your own place? Because environments can also influence success.
Victoria: I didn't stay in the school hostel until my third year, and honestly, I stayed at Honours, however, I believe it’s all about your mindset. You can ignore these challenges because they will always be present. The key is focusing on the positives rather than the negatives. Also, you should schedule your study time when others are out of the hostel.

Interviewer: Thank you for sharing that, Victoria. We've discussed a lot, and you've given some great tips. I still have a few questions. What advice do you have for undergraduates who are juggling subjects like Econometrics, Microeconomics, and others?
Victoria: I would say to take it one step at a time. While it’s good to listen to others and seek their advice, it’s essential to listen to yourself first. When I entered the University of Lagos, my classmates were often reaching out for help with courses and getting discouraging feedback, like "You’ll fail Econometrics" or "Just expect to get an E or F." That kind of talk was intimidating, but I told myself that I was going to read and pass no matter what. It’s crucial to filter out the negative comments; people will always have opinions, but you need to learn to shut your ears to the negativity.

Interviewer: Very true, most of us still have fears of some courses. I’ve also read somewhere that there’s no such thing as time management since time is static, but there is self-management. I noticed from your LinkedIn profile that you interned at several firms. How did you manage yourself?
Victoria: For me, it was all about putting myself forward for opportunities. The important thing is to be proactive in seeking what you want; the worst that can happen is receiving a rejection email.

Interviewer: You also won an AESP award in 2023. Would you like to tell us more about it?
Victoria: Yes, the AESP (African Economics Scholars’ Program) is designed for those pursuing pure economics, such as macroeconomics and policies. I had the opportunity to participate in the 2023 program cohort, where I led my team and graduated as a top three scholar. If you’re interested in entering the field of economics, I highly encourage you to apply. Interviewer: I will look more into this and make sure I do. Thank you very much for taking the time to participate in this interview and for sharing your insights. It was a pleasure to hear you speak and to learn from you. Congratulations once again! I am proud of your achievements.

It’s evident from our conversation that Victoria Jolayemi didn’t become the top student by chance; she put in her utmost effort, and the results speak for themselves. Her perspective on failure truly resonates with me, and we can all learn from her approach to academics. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to ask on our social media platforms, and we will be sure to respond. Thank you for reading, and we encourage you to share your thoughts on the interview in the comments.