Simeon God'swill; 100L; Human Anatomy

Q1: How did you come to BMU?

A: I applied to go to another school and as I went to write the POST-UTME, it didn't work out. My dad started looking for other options. I wanted to study something else in that same school. So I started looking for other options and somehow, he met someone in his office that told him about BMU. My dad got interested and got me to apply. While I applied on the portal, I was supposed to make a 2000# payment and my payment refused to go through. We had made payment but the portal still showed that I had not made payment and that I should make payment again. So during the period of waiting, there was a lot of commotion. We tried contacting the school. Their lines were not reachable.

Then, my dad gave me instructions, to do a change of course, because I initially applied to study medicine and surgery. I did a change of course and I changed to optometry but, it was full. I went to change to radiography and they also said that, that course was full. My dad gave me a list of four courses in the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences to choose from. So I chose Anatomy and I came here.

Q2: What's the hardest academic moment you faced this semester and did you cry?

A: I had one, but I would not say it was hard. It was when I missed a test. It was hard, not really hard. But I did not cry. I knew some way, somehow, that it's going to turn out for good.

Q3: How do you define failure and success as a student?

A: Okay, a successful student is one who sets goals and achieves them. If you say you want an A in chemistry this semester. You don't just say an A, you are specific enough to say an 85, and then you actually achieve 85, you are successful because you achieved your goal. A student that failed is one who sets a goal and he didn't achieve it. They always say you should aim for the moon. If you miss it, you'll land among the stars. My idea of success is that even if you aim for 85 and you get 84, you are still successful because you are not far from your original goal.

Q4: Would you consider a carryover student as a failed student?

A: Now, a carryover student might have failed academically, but not in life.

Q5: What's the biggest misconception you think people have about your course?

A: They believe that if you study this course, the most you will become is a lecturer in university. Either that or the HOD of the department in university. Or the least you will become a mortician.

Q6: Is there any deity or supreme being you believe in and why?

A: I believe in God because He is and He's a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Q7: Do you have any proof?

A: Yes, my proof is God's word.

Q8: God's word, what is that?

A: The Bible.

Q9: Why do you believe in the Bible?

A: Because the word, the Bible is truth. It's the highest form of reality.

Q10: Do you believe in it because that's what you were brought up to believe?

A: Initially I did. But when I experienced God for myself and I had a personal encounter with him, I started believing in him because I knew Him personally. He is real, that's why I believe in Him.

Q11: Do you think religion plays any role in academics?

A: I believe that there are principles in academics like that; if you study, you will pass. To answer your question, I believe that religion plays a key role in academics. There are people that use charms to pass exams. I believe that charms work but even more than charms, I believe God's word works. There are promises in God's word that you can just apply in your academics and you'll be a success. Let me give an example, there’s a part of Deuteronomy 28 vs 13 that says “thou shall be the head and not the tail”.

Now, this does not neglect the fact that you should read. Reading is necessary to pass. Yes, there is your part and there is God's part or your deity’s part. So I believe that while there are laid down principles, religion still has an influence in academics. You can write an exam and your script can go missing. Why does it have to be your script? Do you understand?

Q12: What’s your honest opinion about romantic relationships in school?

A: It depends on your priorities, first of all. I'm very young. I came to school with one priority and that is to get the knowledge of my course and to graduate with a certificate. Everything else is secondary. Relationships for me now, are the least of my priorities. The idea of relationships I'm talking about is dating to get married. There could be older people that are in school and while they are in school, they are prospecting marriage. Because the older they get, there is this stigma in the society about marrying late and all that. Our priorities differ. My best opinion is don't enter a relationship if you are young and you are in school. One, it's a distraction. I agree with the statement or the school of thought that relationships in school are a distraction. If you want to engage in relationships, I believe you have to be mature and not just in age. You have to be mature in your mind. There are three parts of you; your spirit, your soul and your body. So physically, age-wise, you have to be wise. Then in your soul, which is; your mind, your will, your emotions, your conscience. You have to be mature enough to think and to make wise decisions.

You have to be emotionally intelligent. You have to have a relationship with your Creator, God. You should know Him very well. If you are mature while you are in school and you find your true love, you can go into a relationship. As long as it's not a distraction to you nor is it affecting your academics.

Q13: Do you wish to see your Mrs. Right in school?

A: I intended to, but after hearing so many teachings on not making that my priority, it's no longer my priority again.

Q14: Who instantly pops in your head when I ask about someone that has majorly shaped your academic journey?

A: There's not just one person; there are people.

I'll start with my dad. I remember those nights when I'll come back with assignments. He'll come back from work, tired or wanting to sleep, but once I bring my assignments, he'll get up and put me through. This is how my mum describes it, she says your dad wants to open your head and put the knowledge inside. Verbal and cognitive reasoning were my major problems. If he could open my head and put the maths inside my head, he could have done it.

Then, my director. The director of the first school I attended had a great impact on my life. He would call me “mathematician” or “doc”. He was really an inspiration to me and was also one of my role models. Then, my chemistry teacher in secondary school. I love the woman dearly.

Q15: What's the biggest misconception you think lecturers have about students?

A: I believe one of them is that they believe that the serious people are the ones that sit at the front and come to class regularly.