It is an established fact that success is not hereditary, while failure is not genetic. In this regard Rising stars has been in search of hidden factors of academic success from those who had attained it through the right paths so that others will learn from them. University of Ilorin’s best graduating student in the Department of Microbiology in the 2011/2012 academic session shares his experience.

IsmaiL Abiola Adebayo was born on May 8, 1990, in Saki, one the ancient towns in Oyo State. Adebayo attended Ahmadiyya Nursery and Primary School, Saki between 1993 and 2001 from where he proceeded to Nickdel College, one of the first two private secondary schools in Oyo State, where he obtained the West African Secondary School Certificate in science subjects between 2001 and 2007. He had seven distinctions.

Immediately he enrolled for the Advanced Level Cambridge programme at the Educational Advancement Centre in Ibadan, to prepare fully for university education.

In 2008, the University Of Ilorin offered him, admission at the Department of Microbiology. Against all odds, Adebayo completed his first degree programme, with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.58,thus turning up with the best result in the department in the last three years.

His words: “I cannot talk about my success without mentioning God, the Almighty Allah, who made it possible.

Moreover, success revolves round effective time management, adaptability, stress control, ability, hard work, commitment and determination.

A university is not a recreation centre, rather it is a research and knowledge acquisition institute.

For a serious student, recreation should not take more than 20 per cent of his time, while research and study should take at least 80 per cent. In my own case, I read eight hours every day including weekends.

From my experience, if anybody wants to make a very good grade, he or she must go beyond the class work. It is not the lecturers’ notes that fetch somebody’s First Class. It is just part of it. Collecting notes from friends is the beginning of failure. But, presence in class and doing extra study and research pave way for students to make First Class.

“By the special grace of God, I became the university scholar in my 200 level and I was able to maintain it. Allah is good”, he concluded.

Rising Stars also discovered from Adebayo’s experience that it is very important and necessary for students to first seek for pre-knowledge of the course they want to study in the university. As a matter of fact, one needs to find out what the course entails and its relevance to the economy so as to be assured of a job after graduation. This is the first stage of the preparation. Moreover, one needs to relate with students in the upper level of the course, the brilliant ones in the department who can put one through, especially in some of the difficult areas in the course.

Also, you need to keep good friends who are serious students on the campus, especially in the department. Nobody is an island of knowledge, so rubbing minds and associating with discussion groups are very essential in the learning process. In other words, successful student must look out for more facts and figures on his or her own.

Adebayo who is presently on his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Anambra State, has expressed his determination to go back for his masters programme and settle down in the Academic world as lecturer because of his passion for teaching.

He said, “I love to impart knowledge to others around me. When I was in the secondary school, Nickdel College, Ibadan, I was the best student in Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Chemistry.

By the special grace of God, I learnt a lot in Nickdel College. For instance, I learnt about what it took to be self-sufficient and developing a good attitude to work from the staff.

They were very dedicated to their jobs and very disciplined as well.