Oyewale Peace Oluwadamilare never imagined he would one day be celebrated for academic resilience. Once a freshman who struggled with a 1.28 CGPA and little interest in his assigned course of study, the Agricultural Extension and Rural Development student at Obafemi Awolowo University has now become a voice of motivation for others. In this interview with an ACJ Correspondent, Damilare opens up about his early challenges, the turning point that reshaped his mindset, and the intentional steps that propelled his remarkable academic comeback.
Can you tell me a bit about yourself, where you’re from, your course of study, and what kind of person you’d say you are and your background?
My name is Oyewale Peace Oluwadamilare. I am from Osun state and the first child and only son of my parents. I am quite extroverted, a very social person, I am a Christian, and I have businesses. I studied Agricultural extension and rural development at Obafemi Awolowo University.
What were your interests or passions while growing up?
I love art, I love music, I love watching movies, I love photography, I love looking good, I love fashion a lot, and to be honest, I am not much of an academic. I do not like books; I am not a bookworm. I wanted to become a medical doctor, and I love biology too; it used to be my best subject.
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Oh, it is almost unbelievable that you re not a bookworm.
Seeing everybody saying I am a scholar is very funny, it is an irony to be honest, because I do not like reading. If I had other ways, I would have tried, but I know it is something I just had to do, so I did it. What scholar would have 1.28GP?
About wanting to become a medical doctor, what changed?
What changed? OAU, after secondary school, I wrote JAMB and POST UTME, but I did not meet the cut-off mark, so I was transferred to Agricultural Extension and Rural Development.
Are you still trying or going to pursue that career?
No, because studying Agricultural extension and rural development over the years, I have come to realise that I might not have actually loved medicine, and I have also come to love my course too.
About that, could you walk me through what led to your initial academic struggles?
As I mentioned earlier, I wanted to study Medicine initially, and OAU gave Agricultural extension and rural development. I had to take the course like that; that was not what I wanted. So, when I resumed OAU in March 2019, I was already preparing to write another JAMB that same year, so I was sort of felt like I was not going to study the course and that made me feel relaxed, coupled with the fact that as a Fresher then, I was ignorant about the fact that GP matters, I had no prior experience, no predegree
About your ignorance, then about CGPA and whatnot, do you think other freshers face that challenge too, and what do you think can curb that?
I think a lot of freshers face that, especially those who have no prior experience, like myself, who came in straight from secondary school. I think the school should orient students more. I remember there was one organised by the school when I came in, but I do not think CGPA was really emphasised. I also think every department or faculty should have compulsory orientation where students can get a good understanding of CGPA, how it works and how their result in part 1 can influence their overall academic performance and what grade they graduate with. There should be more publicity for the freshers; it can be from the other students as well. I like what you are doing, because the departments and the school can not do everything, even churches, mosques and religious institutions generally should actually create awareness about it. The truth is that most freshers have heard and know about CGPA, but do not know how big a deal it is.
Did your decision to buckle down affect your relationship with people around you at the time, or did you ever feel misunderstood or judged by people around you?
My decision to buckle down did not affect my relationship with anybody. I kept my failure in part 1 to myself; I didn’t tell anyone, not even my parents, and they really trusted me because of my background; they wouldn’t have thought I failed. The mistake people make is thinking that deciding to buckle down has to affect relationships; it doesn’t. It does not mean the only thing you do is to read and stay secluded. I had fun; the only thing I did was manage my time well. I knew when to read and understand the system, so that one would be able to balance academics and relationships. I am a very social and playful person, and it did not affect me. Although I had to sacrifice some other things, I had to quit my business. Nobody judged me cause I kept it personal the whole time. It was till 400 level that I started opening up to people who gave me really good advice. And that contributed a whole lot to my success.
What personal habits or strategies made the biggest difference for you?
After the 100-level saga, I did averagely okay 200 and 300 level, at that point I had already lost hope on graduating with a second class upper; I had already given up until I spoke with a friend at the beginning of 400 level. She motivated me a lot and told me the goal was achievable, so I started being intentional about academics. Intentionality is very important; it was the first step. There has to be a change in mindset. I believed in myself and started. After I worked on my mindset, assuring myself it was possible, though I had a lot of doubts, I started paying more attention to my academics. 400 Level was ‘farm year’ for me, I went to farm all through and did not miss attendance, participated in projects and gave it my all to be honest.
I started reading way before exams and attended all classes; unlike before, I didn’t miss tests either, and my availability in school made me see more academic development. I started having As, and that motivated me more. 400 level, I passed well and was able to move from 2.93 to 3.3. All I did was to be more intentional, be more available, attend classes, do everything I was supposed to do, I read like crazy for the exam, I read a lot, and I prayed. Prayer is very important. It was after 400 Level when I was about to resume for 500 Level that I made a tweet about ‘Academic comeback’ because I was on 3.3 and the journey from there to 3.5 is very long, so I made that decision and posted it on twitter too and that was one of the things that contributed to my success, so every time I feel tired, I remember that I made a tweet about an academic comeback I was preparing for.
I also made sure I was talking to friends, too. The best graduating student in my department was my friend. I messaged him and told him I was on 3.3, and asked if graduating with 3.5 was possible. He said it was, and it motivated me. I spoke to about five different people who I know were doing well academically, too. They motivated me and also said it was possible. It is important to be open and speak to the right people because the wrong people will only demotivate you. Another thing that helped me is the fact that I planned it, which is very important. Before, when I resumed a new semester, I just went with the flow, but now I have a target that I must graduate with nothing less than 4.0. After registering for my courses, I sat with it and gave myself imaginary results, calculating and guessing what I would graduate with if the results were true. The courses I found difficult, I gave myself grace and focused on the other ones and that really helped me.
I also started studying and revising with my friends. I quit a business I was into because I knew it would be a big distraction. I prayed to God like crazy. And I read like mad, I spoke to my seniors, asking them about different courses. I knew lecturers who used attendance, I knew lecturers who used presentations, and who gave impromptu tests. God is very real. God helped me. He answered my prayers, but I did the work too. I know a lot of people have problems with discipline, being able to do what they are meant to do; reading, working hard and whatnot, but the solution is to focus on increasing their level of desire. If you desire something badly, you would do everything possible to achieve it.
What did it feel like to finally achieve the result you worked toward?
It is something that has always been on my mind, it’s the first thing I think k about when I wake up. Seeing that I am finally able to achieve it,
What is the biggest lesson this experience taught you about yourself and life?
The biggest lesson this experience taught me is the need to cultivate the habit of resilience, to be very resilient and not to give up easily, because that is what helped me. Had I given up, thinking it was not possible, I wouldn’t have achieved it. The problem is that a lot of people have given up. If you can, and you have calculated it, and you see that it is possible, then another thing is that there’s nothing you can do without God. God is very real. I know it might sound like it is nothing, but God is important, and prayer is important, because I prayed to God. Whatever religion you have, just pray to whatever God you serve and do the work.
Do you plan to use your story to motivate others, perhaps through mentorship or public speaking?
Yes, absolutely. I would love to inspire as many people with my story, and to also let them know that setbacks are part of life. We should just keep moving, no matter what.
Looking ahead, what is next for you personally and professionally?
I am trying out a lot of things, really, but yeah, I think I’ll get my master’s degree, get a job, focus on my other endeavours, business, modelling, build my brand and so on.