For many university students, school is not just about earning degrees but also about coping with the high cost of feeding, transportation, housing, tuition fees, accommodation, personal care items, and much more.
At 19, Abigail’s life was no different from that of a bird that had just been freed from its cage. Not only did she pass her secondary school examinations with flying colours, but she also gained admission into the university of her choice. From the moment she entered university, the peace she once knew disappeared. It was replaced by fear and uncertainty.
From struggling to pay her tuition fees to paying house rent and buying provisions, Abigail realised that her parents could not handle all the bills alone. As a result, she took up different part-time jobs to help support her education. At times, she did not have enough money to buy textbooks. Most times, she missed classes simply because she could not afford internet data subscriptions.
Abigail often questioned herself: “Why must it be different when it comes to me? Why can’t I be like my fellow course mates who have drivers dropping them off at school and sometimes picking them up? Am I not good enough?” So many thoughts flooded her mind that she could barely cope.
In class, Abigail could no longer focus on what was being taught. Instead, all she thought about was how to afford transport fare for the next day’s classes. Temptations came from different angles. Seeing her course mates with designer handbags, wigs, and trendy shoes made her wish she could have them too, but she knew what she wanted and remained focused on her goals. She continued struggling until she thought she had adjusted to the system.
However, in her 200 level, she was faced with a project fee of ₦300,000. Neither she nor her parents had planned for such an expense. Somehow, she managed to raise the money and continued living her hectic life as a student, hoping that her hard work would eventually pay off.
A 100-level student who chose to remain anonymous said in an interview that life in the university is “like a dog chasing a bone.” He explained that university life was never as sweet as he had imagined. According to him, being a man comes with responsibilities that rest heavily on his shoulders. He revealed that he rented a bedsitter apartment earlier this year for ₦450,000, even though the apartment was not worth ₦300,000. He stated that the apartment had several faults, including difficulty getting water and water leaking from the bathroom into the room.
During the interview, I witnessed several occasions when his neighbour had to drain water from his room. Despite reporting these issues, nothing had been done to address them. He also mentioned that school is all about the survival of the fittest.
Similarly, a 200-level student lamented that she should have listened to her siblings’ advice to learn a few skills before entering the university. However, she ignored their advice and now regrets that decision. Being an orphan, all her expenses are covered by her siblings, including her feeding. She said she has no choice but to continue her education because she has already come this far. She recalled several occasions when she went to bed hungry, hoping that the next day would be better. She also revealed that many of her course mates had to take loans in order to meet school fee deadlines.
In the few years Abigail has spent in the university, she has come to understand that there are both good and bad sides to university life.
Although there is a fun side, such as freshers’ parties and competitions like “Queen of the Campus,” there are also many struggles and untold stories behind the admission letter. These include the costs of projects, handouts, and technology expenses such as laptops and other academic requirements. University life is much more than simply gaining admission.
To Abigail and every struggling student: do not let your efforts be drowned by the weight of financial challenges. Instead, focus on the reason you began this journey in the first place. While financial difficulties may slow your progress, they do not have the power to determine your future. The sacrifices, sleepless nights, and hardships you endure today are all part of a story of resilience that will one day inspire others.
. Oghenefejiro is a student of the Delta State University, Abraka.
