My name is Augusta, and I’m a recent graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), where I earned a degree in Chemistry with a strong upper class. But this story isn’t just about my final achievements—it’s about the journey, the struggles, the faith and the relentless pursuit of a dream that didn’t come easy.
When I first stepped into OAU, I didn’t even start out as a Chemistry student. In fact, I initially applied for Nursing but JAMB had another plan with Chemistry. For a while, I thought I need to follow my dreams since I loved the idea of caring for people.
But somehow, the passion for it just began to fade. When I first received my grades as a part one student, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of defeat. My GPA was 2.27. It wasn’t just low; it was a wake-up call.
I knew I had to do something drastic to change my path. But it wasn’t easy. You see, I was determined to cross to Nursing department while studying my given course, which wasn’t exactly a typical academic combination.
But in my heart, I felt like I had to push forward. I kept studying Chemistry, knowing that I needed an extra ordinary grade to make the switch to that department.
By the time I got to my second year, I knew that my effort wasn’t sustainable. The reality hit me: Nursing was no longer my dream. That’s when I decided to be real with myself—I had to focus on Chemistry.
By the time I reached part two, I had already come to terms with my decision, and I was ready to dive headfirst into my studies. But it wasn’t an easy transition. I had to catch up with a lot of concepts, and I spent countless nights reading, re-reading, and doing problem-solving.
Part three was where things started to change. I made a vow to myself: no more half-hearted efforts. I began to read seriously and pour my energy into mastering the subjects. Slowly but surely, my grades began to improve. By the end of the semester, my CGPA had risen to 3.00. It wasn’t perfect, but I was moving in the right direction. Still, I had to keep pushing—there was no time for complacency.
One day, during a morning Mass at the campus chapel, I reached a breaking point. The weight of juggling academics and my small POS business was too much. I broke down in tears, overwhelmed by the pressure. But as I knelt there, I felt something shift. I felt this overwhelming presence, like God Himself was standing next to me. My shoulders felt suddenly cold, as though His hand was resting there, giving me strength. In that moment, I knew I wasn’t alone, and I felt an overwhelming peace wash over me.
With renewed faith, I pushed harder. By the end of part three, my CGPA had risen to 3.15. It wasn’t where I wanted to be, but it was progress. The next semester was crucial—I had only one semester left to prove myself. I knew I had to finish strong.
By part four, first semester, I had managed to raise my CGPA to 3.30. But I knew I couldn’t stop there. I studied harder than I ever had before. The pressure was immense—graduating with a degree I could be proud of and securing a better future meant everything to me. So I poured everything into my final semester.
And then, to my absolute amazement and gratitude, I achieved a perfect 5.00 in that last semester.
In the end, I graduated with a second-class upper division, and I could hardly believe it. Looking back on the years of struggles, doubts, hard work, and the moments of despair, I realize that this victory wasn’t just mine. It was the result of determination, faith, and believing that no matter how tough life got, I could always rely on God to guide me.
From a 2.27 GPA to a second-class upper division in Chemistry
