With a total point of 71.3, Oguntola Gladys emerged as the best graduating student in the Department of Nursing. She also emerged as the best graduating student of the Faculty of Basic Medical Science.
Gladys shared her journey and experience she had during her undergraduate years at Obafemi Awolowo University in this interview with an ACJOAU Correspondent.
Introduce yourself to the generality of the campus populace.
I’m Oguntola Gladys Eniola, a graduate of the Department of Nursing, at Obafemi Awolowo University.
With first-class honours, you emerged as the best graduating student of the Faculty of Basic Medical Science. How was this possible? What was your secret?
I will say hard work, diligence, determination and perseverance brought me here.
And my ‘secret’ if something like that exists is the ‘Power of God’ because I achieved this not by my strength.
Would you say you knew you would be the best graduating student?
Well, I dreamed it, just like any student would have when I was offered admission to study nursing back in 2017/2018. But I would say I saw it coming after part 4. That was when I realized it could be achieved with a little more push during my final session on campus, so I journaled. I wanted it, and God made it happen.
Why did you choose Nursing, and why Obafemi Awolowo University?
Why I chose to study nursing, is because Nursing is a noble profession. I have always wanted to be in the healthcare line. I will say my desire to help others, career growth opportunities, diverse career paths and also job stability and high demand made me study nursing.
Why OAU?
Sincerely, I wouldn’t know. Spoke with a friend that year about OAU and he told me a lot about The Great Ife, I would say my interest in OAU started after the conversation and I put in for it against all odds.
What was your reading pattern? Were there any special methods you adapted?
I will say everything starts with being self-aware and I think that helped me a lot.
So, I know I assimilate better earlier in the day and during the day, so I am not a night reader, I sleep well at night.
Then I am more of an audio learner than any other form of learning, I tend to remember most things I hear, so I try my best not to miss any lecture.
Plus, I try not to pile up my materials as much as possible.
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Were there any low moments for you while in school? How did you overcome them?
Yes, life they say, is full of ups and downs. I had down moments. When I resumed OAU, I did not resume with a single grain of rice, no gas cooker, and no bed ( I slept on the bare floor for close to two months, ants feasted on me), I resumed school with just #1,040. But I was still delighted, all because I got what I wanted- ‘NURSING’, so I guessed that kept me on the move then. Thank God for my roommate in part 1 that God used for me in those earlier days because my resuming then was one of the craziest moves of faith I have ever embarked on. There was another time my phone got stolen in part 1 when preparing for a test, CHM 102 to be precise, I remained focused till after the test, and it was after the test, that the reality dawned on me, and I had to go a whole semester then without any phone. I had financial challenges at some points too, there were times when I read and slept on an empty stomach, and I could not even afford some hard copy textbooks even though I prefer hardcopy materials to soft copy, these are but a few. But in all, I know I am more than a conqueror through Christ, thank God we don’t look like what we are going through or what we’ve passed through.
Anytime I am feeling under, I cry, talk with friends, watch football and PRAY.
At what point did you start making conscious efforts to make sure you graduate with excellent grades?
Like I said, I already proposed in my mind before I even resumed OAU. And I will say I am just like that, I like excellence so I make sure in all I do, I excel. But, I consciously walked towards it right from part 1. I made sure each semester or session was better than the last
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Would you say your choice of friends influenced your grades in any way, and how?
Yes
Association is very important too- they say your friends determine your end, and I would say they helped.
My friends and I are alike, we aim for the best we can get, and encourage one another to do better and they are very resilient too.
How many awards did you receive? Can you list them?
Well in OAU,
1. 2021 SNEaward for the National Outstanding Nursing Student of the Year award
2. OAU Star award for the 2019/2020 Academic session as the Best student in the Nursing department
3. OAU star award for the 2021/2022 academic session as the Best student in the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
4. Overall Best Graduating student in B. Nsc degree program (2022/2023 session)
5. Overall Best Graduating Student in Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences ( 2022/2023 session)
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What were your most fun moments as an undergraduate?
I watch and love football.
A proud and loyal Manchester United fan.
With a first-class honours in Nursing, what do you plan on delving into?
Nursing is so versatile, but one thing I know for a fact is that I can’t spend so much at the bed-side
What advice would you give to students who want to achieve great academic excellence like you?
You can be anything you want to be. Always remember Excellence is a mindset. Be focused and don’t be distracted. Don’t be discouraged when it seems tough. Have fun and live a balanced life. And finally, God’s power is working!