By Emmanuel Oluwadola
Students in tertiary institutions have explained how they are coping with their unplanned courses.
In separate interviews with The Hope, the students shed light on their pursuit of purpose despite not studying their desired courses.
A student at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Adebayo Similoluwa, said her ambition was to study Law, but her mom convinced her to go for Mass Communication.
“My mom stopped me from studying Law for reasons best known to her. She thought Law might not be the best option for me. And I like Law because it has always been on my mind. It was what I wanted to study? Then a man said since you can’t study Law, why not go for Mass Communication. Then I went for it.
“I have been coping well. I am grateful that I chose Mass Communication. I felt like if I had gone for Law, maybe in the long run, I would have been tired by now, although I didn’t try it. But then, I am enjoying Mass Communication, not that it doesn’t have its downs, all departments have their downs, but it has been good and cool for me all the way,” she said.
Similarly, Afelumo Victor, a student at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), said his UTME score and post-UTME result hindered him from studying Law – his dream course, but he had to accept his fate to study Criminology and Security Studies.
“I have been coping. Even these days, I love Criminology more than Law. At first, my passion for Law started with the influence of my parents and others. But since I accepted Criminology, it has been interesting and God has been helping me because I’ve found a career path in it,” he said.
Akintulubo Precious Oreoluwa, a student at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ogun State, desired to study Mass Communication but she was given admission to study Social Studies Education.
“I had to develop an interest in the course because it aligned with the career I chose. It helped me understand more social issues related to the course. Meanwhile, I already found a career path in the course while at school because it lightened up my current career in journalism, content creation, and leadership,” she said.
Another student, Popoola Oluwafunmilayo of Guidance and Counselling, said: “I had a preference for Economics, but I’m studying Guidance and Counselling. In my UTME-selected subjects, I was wrong about the school requirements. Nevertheless, I have found purpose in the Guidance and Counselling course I was given.
“I am driven by purpose, and I find this course thrilling. Although the course is not that valued in this country, I hope to make Guidance and Counselling work in Nigeria,” she said.
Zainab Adewale, a fresh graduate of the English Department at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, said her childhood dream was to study Law, but she ended up studying Literature in English.
She said she developed an interest in the course over time as it requires skills and passion to excel in it.
