Orientation, boarding, and the pledge ceremony are over, and first-year students are confidently immersing themselves into a new academic routine at AUN. The first day of classes for newly enrolled students was on Wednesday, October 20, and the exhortations of Dean Byron Bullock are still fresh in their memory.
"Wednesday is coming," Dean Byron assured them during the Convocation and Pledge Ceremony. The Dean's remarks were intended not to scare the freshmen but to motivate them to prepare mentally for their first day of classes, the beginning of their academic journey, and life-changing experiences.
In the stirring speech, titled: "You have been chosen," the Vice President for Campus Life and Dean of Student Affairs told the freshmen to prepare for their academic journey at AUN with the mentality of winners, of true champions.
"Like in the Olympics, there is no time for false starts. It is time to get out of the starting block. It is time to get over the hurdles of life and jump high and jump long. Your training has to be consistent. Your mindset has to be determined. Your game plan has to be strategic. You have been chosen.”
A few hours after their 'Baptism of Fire,' some of the freshmen shared their experience and expectations, barely catching their breath but putting on a smile nonetheless.
Emanuel Tom Babalola, a former student of Arewa Choice Academy Yola, who plans to study Software Engineering, said he met friendly students in his class. Emanuel also commented that he found the facilities in the classrooms much more cutting-edge than what he had in his Secondary School while the teaching standards are 'advanced.'
"One word to describe AUN is "fantastic." I will definitely recommend AUN to my former schoolmates, friends, and family because of my experience.
Freshman Law student, Aiyedun Ester Folashade, confessed that she had not had her first classroom experience yet because she is still completing her course registration. Nevertheless, she is blending well already and getting used to the routine. Much to her admiration, she described the facilities on ground at AUN as "above standard."
"Someday, I will graduate to become a lawyer, and I will remember my early days beginning from today."
A transfer student from one of the federal universities, Hauwa Ahmed, is enrolled in the Natural & Environmental Sciences (NES) program, majoring in public health. She was previously studying medicine in her former school and is already feeling connected to the campus.
"Everything runs smoothly at AUN, and people here are friendly. That makes things easier for me as a student, and I will like to be part of community service, but before then, I would like to know the school better".
She noted that her first class was interactive as expected in an American-style academic setting. As a transfer student, she has high expectations and will make tough demands of her time and energy here at AUN. While studying hard to earn her credits, she intends to take up sports to keep fit and healthy. "AUN is smooth; they make things easy for students."
Another freshman and Computer Science major, Umar Farouk, has already identified lots of challenges he will face but said he is ready and determined to excel.
"I have met with my classmates, and we all seem to agree that merely attending classes at AUN will not be enough guarantee for success. It will require hard work. I see myself coming out in flying colors".
That will be music to Dean Byron, whose advices ring out in high decibels:
"The world has been waiting for you. If we stand a chance of changing our present conditions, it is going to take new and bold leaders, people who are unafraid to make a difference. It will take leaders who realize and recognize that life is full of difficult decisions and understand that the right choice is not always the easy choice or the popular choice, but you have to stand the test and make the best choice in difficult situations.
"On this AUN journey, you can never rest on your laurels. No matter how high you soar or how many accolades you gain, do not rest on your laurels. You will encounter many successes as students that are going to be life-changing. Never miss an opportunity to learn and grow. You have been chosen".
Reported by Halima Mohammed