Alalade Toluwalase graduated with a first class in Economics from Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, having had a 4.54 CGPA.
He shares his experience in school and spoke about how his friends thought he should have taken advantage of girls when he had them at his beckon.
He said he knew what he was doing and has no regret..
Read excerpts from the interview belowWhat was your most memorable moment in school?
When I was in 100 Level, one of the professors that taught us would always call out test scores in class before he gave us our scripts. He made us walk to the front of the class to collect our scripts, and then you must be present to receive your script. I resumed late in 100 level and there was a test on my first day in class, so I scored two out of 10. However, the professor called my name and said I scored zero out of 10. For me, it was a walk of shame as all eyes were on me.
What motivated you to work towards a first class?
I had always wanted to finish with a first class. There is nothing bad in aiming and working towards being the best. When my sister finished with a first class from Bowen University, that was before I gained admission into the university, I looked at her transcript and it motivated me to work towards having a first class as well. It wasn’t easy though because I started with 3.55 GPA. With hard work and sustained determination, my CGPA increased. I finally made first class in 300 Level first semester but the result suffered again in my 400 Level first semester as I dropped to a Second Class Upper Division. I thank God because I had all A’s when it mattered most, and I was able to finish with a first class eventually. We had 10 first class graduates from my class.
What was your typical day like as an undergraduate?
Most times, I had lectures at 8:00am, so I used to wake up early. After lectures, I would go back to the hostel to have some rest and then study what I had learnt for the day. After that, I would have the liberty to watch movies, play video games or talk with friends. Regardless, I was sleeping for minimum of eight hours, because I never joked with my sleep, and I used to study for just about an hour because paying attention during lectures made studying a lot easier. I hardly used the library because I preferred reading in my room and if I needed any book, I would borrow from the library and read in my room.
What are your aspirations?
In the short/medium term, I intend to be amongst the best finance professionals in the coming years and I have taken steps towards achieving this as I am currently enrolled in the ACCA programme. In the long term, I have a keen interest in agriculture.
Did you have gestures from female colleagues?
There were times when ladies called me to teach them something they didn’t understand but I didn’t lead them on unnecessarily if the feeling wasn’t mutual. Some of my friends did make jest of me for not being the ‘sharp’ guy, but no regret.
What is your advice to students?
I implore students not to forget the primary purpose of being in school; they should always aim towards achieving good results to avoid having regrets after graduation. There is so much competition out there, so one does not need to settle for less to avoid certain things.
When I was in 100 Level, one of the professors that taught us would always call out test scores in class before he gave us our scripts. He made us walk to the front of the class to collect our scripts, and then you must be present to receive your script. I resumed late in 100 level and there was a test on my first day in class, so I scored two out of 10. However, the professor called my name and said I scored zero out of 10. For me, it was a walk of shame as all eyes were on me.
What motivated you to work towards a first class?
I had always wanted to finish with a first class. There is nothing bad in aiming and working towards being the best. When my sister finished with a first class from Bowen University, that was before I gained admission into the university, I looked at her transcript and it motivated me to work towards having a first class as well. It wasn’t easy though because I started with 3.55 GPA. With hard work and sustained determination, my CGPA increased. I finally made first class in 300 Level first semester but the result suffered again in my 400 Level first semester as I dropped to a Second Class Upper Division. I thank God because I had all A’s when it mattered most, and I was able to finish with a first class eventually. We had 10 first class graduates from my class.
What was your typical day like as an undergraduate?
Most times, I had lectures at 8:00am, so I used to wake up early. After lectures, I would go back to the hostel to have some rest and then study what I had learnt for the day. After that, I would have the liberty to watch movies, play video games or talk with friends. Regardless, I was sleeping for minimum of eight hours, because I never joked with my sleep, and I used to study for just about an hour because paying attention during lectures made studying a lot easier. I hardly used the library because I preferred reading in my room and if I needed any book, I would borrow from the library and read in my room.
What are your aspirations?
In the short/medium term, I intend to be amongst the best finance professionals in the coming years and I have taken steps towards achieving this as I am currently enrolled in the ACCA programme. In the long term, I have a keen interest in agriculture.
Did you have gestures from female colleagues?
There were times when ladies called me to teach them something they didn’t understand but I didn’t lead them on unnecessarily if the feeling wasn’t mutual. Some of my friends did make jest of me for not being the ‘sharp’ guy, but no regret.
What is your advice to students?
I implore students not to forget the primary purpose of being in school; they should always aim towards achieving good results to avoid having regrets after graduation. There is so much competition out there, so one does not need to settle for less to avoid certain things.
Good for him, congrats
ReplyDeleteBig congrats to him
ReplyDelete