Ayebabebara Godiva Diri-teilanyo; 300L; MBBS

Q1: How did you get to know about BMU?

A: I actually got to know about BMU through my dad. He was aware of the university right from when it started and encouraged me to apply because it was a specialized medical school with hands-on training. When the MBBS program began, I was already aware and following up. So you could say I knew about BMU right from home.

Q2: Did you face any problems with your admission process?

A: Not at all. My admission was very smooth. I didn’t apply directly at first. I had to change my institution through JAMB. But once that was done, everything went well. I uploaded the required documents, and my admission was processed without stress.

Q3: What has been your hardest academic moment this semester and were there times you cried?

A: My hardest academic moments are usually when there’s so much to read and very little time. Did I cry? No, not really. I’m not someone who cries easily. I just take a break; maybe eat, watch a movie, and rest before continuing the next day.

Q4: How do you define failure and success as a student?

A: To me, success means understanding what I’ve been taught and being able to apply it in real life. I consider myself successful when I can connect classroom knowledge with practical experience and of course, when my results reflect my effort.

A failing student, on the other hand, is someone who neglects the process, not necessarily someone with bad results, but someone who doesn’t dedicate time to learn and grow academically.

Q5: Have you ever made any mistakes as a student?

A: Yes, I have. My biggest mistake is not starting to read early. I’m someone who likes to begin studying right from the start of a semester. When I delay, it usually leads to burnout and overload.

Q6: What do people often misunderstand about your course?

A: People think medicine is only for brilliant people, those who were good in Biology and Chemistry in secondary school. But that’s not true. Medicine is more about consistency and hard work. Being smart helps, but hard work keeps you going.

Q7: Is there any deity you believe in and why?

A: Yes, I believe in God. I’m a Christian not just by name, but by lifestyle. There was a time I questioned everything, but over time, I’ve seen too many things that prove God is real. I see His hand in everything.

Q8: Do you think religion plays a role in academics?

A: Definitely. In medical school, you can’t rely only on effort. There are times when the Holy Spirit literally leads me to pay attention to a topic and that same topic shows up in the exam. So yes, my faith plays a major role in my academics.

Q9: What’s your opinion about romantic relationships in school?

A: I used to think relationships were a total distraction, and personally, I still think they are. I invest a lot emotionally, so balancing that with medical school is difficult. But it’s not the same for everyone. Some people can balance both well so I believe it depends on self-discovery and divine leading.

Q10: Do you wish to meet your “Mr. Right” here in BMU?

A: I honestly don’t know. Maybe not here. I’m not eager to find out now. If he’s here, I’d rather discover that later.

Q11: Who has influenced your academic journey the most?

A: My parents. Even though they’re both from the arts, their constant encouragement keeps me going. Anytime I feel overwhelmed, they remind me that I can do well and that I’ve always been excellent. That keeps me grounded.

Q12: If you could change one thing about Nigeria’s educational system, what would it be?

A: I’d definitely improve the level of practicability. Many courses in Nigerian universities are too theoretical. Students graduate without ever practicing what they learned. I’d make education more practical and also introduce real-life lessons beyond academics.

Q13: If you were the VC for a day, what would you do first?

A: I’d host an open interactive session with students to hear their complaints directly. I’d then document everything and pass it on to the real VC to work on. Listening to students’ perspectives is the first step toward meaningful change.

Q14: Was it passion that brought you to study Medicine?

A: Yes, passion brought me here.

Q15: If not Medicine, what would you have studied?

A: Foreign Languages. I know it’s far from Medicine, but I’ve always loved languages.

Q16: What’s one big misconception lecturers have about students?

A: They often think each set of students is worse than the previous one. But the truth is, our generation learns differently. We may not study the same way they did, but that doesn’t mean we’re unserious. Learning styles have evolved.

Q17: Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?

A: In 10 years, I see myself thriving in my medical career and making global impact.

Q18: What’s your greatest struggle as a student?

A: Apart from being broke, my greatest struggle is dealing with confusion and self-doubt. There are moments I question why I’m in medical school. In those times, it’s easy to lose focus and in this course, distraction is costly.

Q19: What’s one question you wish I asked?

A: “Can you please send your account number?”