Editorial

SECOND SEMESTER FOR OTHERS, THIRD SEMESTER FOR ME

Believe me, as I entered this semester, I am not seeing a second, it is third that keeps on staring at me. I saw a hill, a big one, smiling at me and waiting patiently for my arrival. Really, I know I will get to the hill, I know I will climb it, but I also know it takes a lot of work to get there. I know it is something I have to climb and I know I will climb it, I just need the right wheels.


I keep looking at myself and I keep smiling. My mind goes straight to pathology but microbiology waved at me. As I drifted to parasitology, pharmacology caught my attention. I kept wandering and remembering the psychological struggle I went through to write my first End of Module tests, accounts of the personal derangement I underwent during second End of Module test will not be deleted from my memory, and I am here daydreaming about how these two giants and yet another giant will be combined in DVM part two exams. My subconscious told me “you will just die,” I immediately slammed my body against my bed, tucked my tongue out and closed my eyes, faking death. I rose and “died” again. But I realized many people have passed this exam, many will pass and I will pass it, excellently. I know this is just another huge semester making a loud noise.


Motivational speakers will say “you just have to do your best, make plans, believe in God, burn night candles and you will be successful in life.” Well, with regards to vet exams, they are perfectly on point. I know all this semester needs is an efficacious preparation and it should start from now. I know I have to plan my life, make an achievable time-table, gather all the required materials and have an understandable orientation about how this semester will go. I know I must not wait till “tomorrow” before I take steps because whether I like it or not, I’m visiting a hill in 13 weeks time.


You know what? I need pampering too. It is never out of place if you took me out sometimes, you will help me wash out the stress. Surprise gifts will go a long way in alleviating the chronic tension. Paying my bills at times or settling the payment at B and B joint may also help. In all, it will be unfair if I’m left on my own, I need support from people financially, emotionally, spiritually, mentally. Check on me every once in a while, keep reminding me I’m in a third semester.


Hope I won’t employ a manager? I am an ardent worshipper that is always involved in my religious settings and events, I am also a political enthusiast, and I obviously cannot miss any Manchester United match. Lest I forget, I am a campus influencer of a new brand, I cannot blow off any of their campus events. And of course, I have to read the unending slides of vet courses. It is obvious that there has to be an efficient mechanism managing my time even if I can’t afford a human manager. I have to drop many things and face my primary duty on campus, vet. I must let people understand that I’m involved in campus activities solely because I’m a student and I have to sustain that studentship by passing. I have to use my brain to manage the “undroppable” associations in a way that will smoothly function with my studies. Yet, I have to play and water-out the tension, smartly, because all work but no play makes Jerry a dull vet.


“You don’t know anything, DVM part II examination is the toughest in vet school,” one senior will admonish, “it was in this class I read most as a student,” another lecture will say. It was even concluded that this particular exam is the toughest in University of Ibadan! And me I want to face it. Well, it is well! Actually, I believe there is nothing so gargantuan or alien about the exam anyway, many people have passed it, some with distinctions. In fact, the current vet curriculum and lecturing style have made things easier: we have read and reread many of the lectures for the two previous End of Module tests, lecturers will keep on bombarding us with tests which will make us read and reread our books and consequently, the DVM part II exam will just be an avenue to pour down knowledge one have revised several times. I believe that as tough as anybody may have referred it to be, I’m going to face it strongly, with all determination to conquer.


Finally, let’s all be guided! Nobody should see me and comment: “how you come thin like this?” “you’re getting darker nau,” “your face is getting rough” “you did not iron your shirt well.” Forgive me, but for this period, let’s all be minding our businesses when it comes to looks. All I need from you is your support, just give me the enabling environment and vibe to conquer the third semester.

~OOPS!