Fresh. Fresher. Freshest: A fresher’s guide to overcoming fear and pressure

When I was in 100L, people could tell I was a fresher just by looking at my style. I don’t know what always gave me away, but it was as if there was this huge, invisible placard glued to my forehead saying that I was a first-year student. I got a lot of advice—solicited and unsolicited—to ‘wise up’ and stop behaving like a fresher, a JJC. But how could I be what I was not? I’d never been a staylite, so I didn’t know how to behave as one (even though I lived and interacted with some of them).

Now, whenever I try to be a staylite, either I overdo it or underdo it. There was so much pressure, and there was no hiding for me. By their words and fashion, you shall know them. And trust me, there is no hiding for you, too. For this reason, this article has been put together to help you appreciate your freshness and sift through the pieces of advice you’ll get as a fresher.

Let’s begin with the possible list of advice you might come across, shall we?

1. Accounts of wicked lecturers

Oh, you will hear lots and lots of outrageous accounts until you begin to doubt your reason for selecting the course! You’ll hear that Dr. Ikopi never scores anyone beyond a B, not even in his dreams; no one has ever graduated with a first class in the department; Prof. Nsukka fails people on purpose and is never satisfied. No matter what you do, you should never ask him questions or challenge him in class because he’ll ask for your matriculation number and fail you unnecessarily in his tests and exams. Ehn ehn, is that so, Simbilola?

2. Don’t stress over GST; it doesn’t add to your GP

General Studies (GST) courses are the most underrated courses among students. Since it doesn’t add anything to your overall grade, you’ll be told not to sweat over it. You only need an E (40) to pass the course. There’s no need to study the bulky slides, as you can read them on the eve of your exam. And while writing the test, you can google the questions because it will be done online. Interesting. Very interesting fact, Brother Emeritus.

3. Relax! The first year is the most chill year in uni

It’s not the library every time, you hear? Don’t worry; when you get to year two, you get tired of attending 8 a.m. lectures. It’s because you’re still giddy with excitement; that’s why you’re always seated in the front seat. This one you’re going home every weekend, it’s because the shege hasn’t intensified. Keep enjoying your chill days. You’ll soon understand. Okay o, special advisor to the commissioner of human affairs in Kafanchan.

4. As a UNILAG babe/guy, you shouldn’t be caught wearing certain clothes

The University of Lagos is a house to numerous fashion police. One thing that UNILAG students are distinguished for is their fashion sense. From your staylite roommates to friends in higher levels, you’d be told not to wear pattern-on-pattern; to stop carrying that secondary school backpack; to dump your favourite slides because it’s old school; to stop dressing like an SS3 student; and ultimately, to slay like a UNILAG babe/guy.

5. Attend fellowships & seminars for first-timers’ package

When you’re broke or in want of party jollof, the surest way to get manna is by attending a seminar or fellowship for the first time. Fellowships in UNILAG are known to be welcoming, so you’d definitely get a pack of rice with Bigi cola here or a Gala with Nutri-milk there. With you on their radar, you can never go hungry. Hmm.

The Guide to Overcoming Such Fear and Pressure

I’m sure you might be rolling your eyes at how ridiculous some of the above sounds, but be prepared for anything! Now, let’s flip them and see how some of these pieces of advice can be used to your advantage.

1. Begin with a clear and plain mind

Listening to accounts of wicked lecturers will only put fear in your heart. Believe me, you don’t want that. So, attend classes and get to know your lecturers for yourself. Understand their patterns, make compromises, and flow with them. Most times, what happened in Set A never recurs in Set B.

And in times when you find yourself caught in the web of accounts of wicked lecturers, dust your slippers and run, no matter how sweet the gist is!

2. Don’t be lackadaisical towards any course

If you’re lackadaisical towards GST, it won’t take long before such an attitude spills over to your other courses. Think of it as a virus spreading through your blood vessels. While GST might not add to your GP, don’t make the mistake of being unprepared. As easy as it is to pass, you can similarly fail. Only a thin line separates 39 (F) from 40 (E).

3. Moderation in all things

In everything you do, be moderate. Don’t make the library your second home and ostracize yourself from civilization. Go to classes regularly. Be punctual. That’s why you’re in school.

Again, while the first year is often dubbed the most chill’ school year, it shouldn’t be taken for granted. Build your foundation and maximize the opportunity.

4. Your fashion will develop naturally

When you get to Rome, do as the Romans do. See, it’s a matter of time before your fashion blends. You’ll see various fashion statements that will influence your style—tote bag fashion, flat and fancy slippers, baggy jeans, etc.

However, don’t be tempted. Resist the urge to slay beyond your means. Slay within your budget, and don’t inflate the prices of your textbooks to buy bone straight wigs, 1,500 spaghetti/chicken and chips, Dr. Martens shoes, or an iPhone 19 Pro Max. Remember the days of ‘Ama Kip Kip’ shirt, BlackBerry, and iPhone 6? Where are they now? Gone. Forgotten. In the past, These things are ephemeral, and they will pass away, so don’t try to be who you are not. You don’t have a point to prove.

5. Be intentional about where you worship

You need to be grounded and not tossed to and fro. When you attend fellowships for freebies, you wouldn’t gain a lot because all you’d do during the service is concoct scenarios of how to devour whatever will be shared at the end of the day. Don’t waste your time. Don’t be that person.

6. Don’t look for love in the wrong places

A bonus tip? Don’t be found wandering at night and lurking in dark corners, searching for a babe to woo or a guy to approach you. This isn’t Hollywood. Stop looking for what did not loss when you can have an encounter with the greatest love to ever exist at the UJCF’s freshers’ program. Don’t say I didn’t do something for you! In essence, being a freshman is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Make memories, and don’t be intimidated by jests from staylites. Enjoy your freshness while it lasts.