Queen Ester Obayemi, a First-Class graduate of the Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies, Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Ikire Campus, has shared insights into how she balanced academics with social activities while emerging as the Best Graduating Student in the Faculty of Culture.
In this interview with Olofofouniosun, Obayemi reflects on her academic achievement, study habits, participation in extracurricular activities, the challenges she encountered, and the lessons she learnt throughout her university journey.
For the record, could you introduce yourself, tell us your department and programme of study, and briefly tell us about yourself?
My name is Queen Ester Obayemi. I am a First-Class graduate from the Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies, Ikire Campus, Osun State University, and I am honoured to have emerged as the Best Graduating Student in the Faculty of Culture.
Beyond academics, I enjoy taking responsibility, learning new things, meeting people, and challenging myself to become better.
My time at UNIOSUN has been a journey of growth, resilience, and, most importantly, grace.
You have emerged as the Best Graduating Student in the Faculty of Culture with a First Class. How does this achievement feel, and what does it mean to you?
Honestly, the feeling is one I cannot exactly put into words because, when I started this journey, I wanted to do well academically, but I could not predict how everything would eventually turn out.
Graduating with a First Class and emerging as the Best Graduating Student in my faculty is something I am incredibly proud of, and I am deeply grateful for it. It still feels surreal to me.
For me, what makes it even more special is knowing that this achievement did not come without its challenges. There were moments of doubt, times when I was disappointed, and seasons when staying committed to my goals required a lot more than academic effort.
Looking at where I am today, I feel a profound sense of gratitude to God, to the people who supported me, and to the version of myself that kept going even when things were not easy.
This achievement means more to me than the recognition itself because it reminds me of how far I have come, what perseverance can produce, and how beautifully life can turn out even when the journey does not go as planned.
What do you do differently academically that has helped you excel and stay ahead of others? Take us through the habits, study methods, discipline and strategies that contributed to your outstanding performance.
One of the biggest things I did differently during my university days was that I did not study only for examinations. When I read my books, I made sure I understood the concepts well enough to explain them in my own words. That way, during examinations, I could express what I had learnt in a way that made sense to me.
I also paid close attention to my lecturers, especially the things they emphasised, and tried to connect what I was learning instead of treating every topic as an isolated fact.
I was intentional about starting early and giving more attention to difficult courses. I did not rely on last-minute studying. Instead, I tried to remain consistent, even when I was not particularly motivated.
For me, discipline was less about studying all the time and more about knowing what needed to be done and actually doing it.
University life comes with pressure, distractions and other commitments. How did you balance your academics with your social life and other activities while maintaining such an impressive result?
When it came to academics, social life, and other activities, I did not want to limit myself to academics alone. I made a conscious effort to experience university life as much as possible.
I was involved in extracurricular activities, played basketball at some point, participated in school politics, attended social events, and maintained wonderful relationships.
I have always believed in the saying that “all work and no play makes Jack a dull girl.” I wanted to enjoy the experience of being a student because, ultimately, we only get to live this life once. However, I also understood that enjoyment should never come at the expense of responsibility.
When it was time to work, I gave it my complete focus because I believe there is a time for everything.
I also learnt not to feel guilty about resting or having a social life. Once I had fulfilled my academic responsibilities, I could relax and enjoy other aspects of university life without feeling like I was compromising my goals.
For me, it really came down to knowing my priorities, managing my time effectively, and giving each aspect of my university life its proper place.
Was there ever a difficult period when you struggled academically, faced disappointment or doubted yourself? If yes, how did you overcome it, and who or what helped you along the way?
Yes, there were moments when I experienced doubt and disappointment. My university journey was not always smooth, and there were times when staying committed to my goals required more than just academic effort. However, I learnt that one difficult season or disappointing result does not define my ability to succeed.
What helped me was remaining focused on my goals, trusting God, and reminding myself why I started in the first place. I also drew strength from the people who supported and encouraged me along the way. Rather than allowing difficult moments to discourage me, I tried to learn from them, make necessary adjustments, and keep moving forward.
Looking back, those experiences taught me the importance of resilience, patience, and consistency. I have come to understand that excellence is not about having a perfect journey but about being willing to keep going, even when things do not go as planned.
Looking back at your UNIOSUN journey, what do you wish you had known as a 100-level student, and what advice would you give students who want to excel academically and possibly achieve what you have achieved?
One thing I always wished I had known as a 100-level student is that, if you want to fully enjoy the experience, no matter how introverted you are, you have to come out of your shell and build meaningful relationships.
I do not mean you have to talk to everybody. Build meaningful relationships with people because the memories you make in university will be with you for a lifetime, and you do not want to be too restricted to your own corner without having any real memories.
I also wished I had understood better that excellence is built gradually. You do not suddenly become an outstanding student in your final year; the small decisions you make in 100 level begin to add up.
My advice to my juniors is to take their academics seriously from the beginning, but not to become so consumed by academics that they forget to grow as individuals.
Be consistent, ask questions, learn from your mistakes, and surround yourself with people who encourage your growth. That is very important, especially when the journey becomes difficult.
Remember that one bad result or one difficult season does not define who you are or your ability to succeed.
