And The Door Opened… by Aishat Elusogbon

I can imagine your joy and relief right now. Every single joint and flesh in your body, from the skull to the phalanges and from the head to the toe is sighing in relief that the war is finally over

The door has opened!

The door to your next level. The door to a new chapter. The door to the beginning of the end of your life as a secondary school student.

You made it!

I'm happy for you, really. Several people were denied this opportunity. And you, dear latest undergraduate of the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, have just had it handed over to you. Whether this is the fifth trial you had to make before you got it, or this is your first. It doesn't matter now. You've gotten it!

Now, it all begins. It's all on you now, dear brothers and sisters. But you're not alone, and you never will be. Because everywhere, you find us around, willing and able to help as much as we can. We understand what it feels like to be in a new environment with absolutely no idea on where and how to start organising yourself. We've been there before. So we gat your back.

Have it in mind that you will not just be dropped into the extra large compound of OAU with no way to get your bearings. Orientation programmes will be organised for you almost everywhere: from your department to your faculty to your hostel (if you're staying on campus), to clubs. Banners will be everywhere, and so will flyers: both virtual and physical. You should be in some WhatsApp groups where you will be getting information about the whole process (if you're not, do well to ask around and research, they are very helpful). Those groups will dish out announcements and updates on how to things are run and how to meet up with them.

Don't worry, classes don't begin immediately. You will still have about two or three weeks for registration and orientation processes. So you don't need to panic or rush.

Registration will take place in section you would most likely set foot on in campus: hostel, health centre, library, faculty, department, e.t.c. Not to worry. So long as you are in an OAU Informant group (there are several of them) you most likely to not miss out on anything.

In addition, you should realise that University is very unlike Secondary schools. Several of you should have been lectured for about two hours by your parents on what to and to not do. My advice? Listen to them, and do as they say. Because trust me, you might start getting messed up before the end of your first semester if you don't take their parting advice seriously.

Anything else? Well, nothing really. So now I'd part with you with some honest advice: "Get ready for the most unpredictably fun and stressful part of your academic life!"

Welcome to OAU, Dear You.