Here is a brief description of my university, located in the ancient town of Ife, in Nigeria.
"The university was founded in 1961 ... as the University of Ife by the regional government of Western Nigeria,
led by late chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, and was renamed Obafemi Awolowo University..."
[source] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obafemi_Awolowo_University)
Ever since I was a kid, my university had always been my first choice because of its popularity, its massive buildings, and most of all because it was the only university in the state that taught my course.
29th May, 2015:
At about 6:00 in the morning, I was already awake with my eyes red and swollen due to an improper sleep I had the previous night. I was just so excited about the new life I was about to start living!
It was at 10:00am when I finished packing all my stuff into the car which included my bucket, clothes, foodstuffs, etc., and ensured I didn’t leave anything behind. Having done all these with happiness in my heart, I felt it was proper for me to have a last look around. I headed for my barber shop to get a new hair style. Having done these, I headed back home to see my friends, chat with them, and pay them my last visit. We chatted for about an hour, talking about how we are going to miss each other. I also received several questions from them asking me if they will ever get a chance to visit, and I assured them of inviting them immediately when I had everything ready.
It was now 2:00 in the afternoon, and I was all set, waiting for my dad to arrive from work and drive me to school. I pleaded with my mum to allow me drive the car because it was already getting late and I was so anxious to leave. My mother turned down this request, telling me I wasn’t perfect enough at driving and she couldn’t risk allowing me to drive a long distance.
It was 3:30pm when my dad arrived and we all hopped into the car, including my sister and my cousin. We were about to leave when I saw one of my friends running from afar calling my name. We stopped and asked him what the problem. In a loud voice, he shouted he was ready to accompany me, lest I forget he is my best friend. His name is David.
We arrived school at about 4:30pm. I started to panic when I saw the large crowd of people taking passports and filling different forms before they were allowed into their various hostels. I finished filling my form within 20 minutes and got a “wait and get” passport. Then I was fit to enter the hostel.
At the entrance of the hostel, my mother and sister were stopped by the hall warden, going by the rule that females were not allowed into the boys' hostel. With this, I felt like crying because I felt it was so soon to leave my relatives. After some minutes of my mother talking to one of the warden who was her friend, they allowed them in, and soon we arrived at my room.
I was as surprised as sad when I saw no one; perhaps I was the to arrive. My mum and my friend helped me in arranging my things. I quickly secured a good space and wardrobe, having got information that it was on a “first come, first serve” basis.
After helping with my stuff, my relatives and friend were set to leave. I accompanied them to the car and bade them goodbye. Seeing my mum leave me with her eyes red, I could not stand it so I ran into my room and started weeping. One of the alumni who was in charge of showing the fresher’s how things were run heard me crying and came to my aid. We chatted for about 2 hours and he left when it was about 8:00pm.
It was now about 9:00pm when I received a call from my mother. She inquired if any other student came in. I answered that no, I was still the only one. She then instructed me to lock my doors well and also pray before I sleep.
30th may, 2015:
I woke up as early as 5:00am and freshened up, but I was too anxious to take my breakfast. I arrived at my first class 30 minutes late because I was unfamiliar with where the building was located, and I got lost several times. Now in the class, I was unable to get a seat, so I stood. I began to wonder how I was going to cope with a thousand students, where the lecturer doesn’t even know your name.
I soon finished the class and headed for another, but unfortunately the rest of the classes were not held, being the first day of lectures. I headed back to my hostel. To my surprise, I met four guys lying on their beds and two others arranging their things. With joy, we exchanged greetings. We introduced ourselves and I told them how I slept alone the previous night.