20yrs Physiology 1st class graduate shares secrets to academic success

20 years Miss Tubolayefa Bebenimibo, a recent Human Physiology 1st class graduate from Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti has credited her impressive 4.70 CGPA to diligent reading habits and unwavering faith. 

In an exclusive interview with PEBNEWS, she shared valuable insights into her academic path, overcoming obstacles, and offered guidance to current students.

Tubolayefa described her academic journey as typical, noting that her initial two years were spent adjusting to the system, which impacted her results. However, by her third and final year, she had grasped the system and understood the broader purpose of education. "Education wasn't just about the degree but growing as an individual in all areas of life," she emphasized.

Reflecting on her achievement, Tubolayefa highlighted reading as a crucial strategy. "The major strategy that helped me was reading, it sounds cliche, but that's the truth," she stated.

The graduate offered words of encouragement to students, sharing her experiences and the factors that contributed to her accomplishment.

Full statement below:

"I studied Human Physiology and to be honest, I can’t really say that there was a major motivation. It wasn’t the course I initially wanted but it was the only course I felt drawn to pick out of all the other courses given to me to select from. Eventually, I just realized that I didn’t make the wrong decision picking human physiology.

"I would say my academic journey was a typical one. I spent my first two years trying to understand the system and that reflected on my results. By the third and final year, I had understood the system and even the reasons I was getting an education. I realized that education wasn’t just about the degree but growing as an individual in all areas of life. Some of my major highlights would be the memories with the friends that I’ve made here. Another major highlight would be the process of carrying out the research experiment for my project because that was a major learning curve for me and as God would have it, my hard work did not go to vain as I now have my first published article on Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, an Elsevier journal.

"In all honesty, the major strategy or habit that helped me was reading. It sounds cliche but that’s the truth. For me, the reading didn’t just start from one day. It was consistent effort. And lastly, maximise your God factor, I know that all that I’ve achieved would be impossible without God.

"The major challenge I faced was in my second year and that challenge was me not reading right. I was reading every and anything with a very short time frame. I overcame in my second semester by listening better in class to know those very important concepts that I shouldn’t miss on and I think things got better from there on.

"I would say those still in school should try to adapt the habits and strategies that I’ve mentioned and learn from my mistakes. I would also say that they should get or find someone that would serve as a mentor or a guide to them. I want you to know that you can do whatever you set your mind to do.

The graduate expressed appreciation for her parents, former Head of Department, Broadcasting, Journalism and Media Studies, Delta State University, Abraka, and Registrar, NMU, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, and Mrs. Ebierefa Bebenimibo.