A Nigerian female law graduate named Joy Nneoma Abogu, has emerged as a shining exemplar of academic excellence.
Graduating from the University of Ibadan with a First Class Honours degree in Law, Joy’s remarkable journey to success was punctuated by her triumphant win of the coveted Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) Scholarship award in 2021.
What sets this achievement apart is not only the honor itself but the fierce competition Joy faced. Outshining a pool of over 120 fellow First Class Law students hailing from diverse law faculties across Nigeria, she clinched the esteemed scholarship.
This feat reflects not only her outstanding intellectual prowess but also her unwavering commitment to her academic pursuits.
Recalling the pivotal moment, Joy humbly shared;
“While I’m proud of anything and everything I’ve achieved in my life so far, some achievements stand over and above the others. For instance, winning the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) Scholarship award in 2021 was the highlight of my year at the time.
“What even made it more exciting was the fact that out of over 120 First Class Law students from various faculties of Law in Nigeria, I was number 1 at the end of the day.”
However, Joy’s path to academic excellence was strewn with challenges that she valiantly overcame. Balancing the demands of her academic journey with freelancing commitments necessitated an intricate dance of time management.
Juggling classes, assignments, exam preparations, and meeting client deadlines was a daunting task.
Reflecting on these challenges, Joy revealed;
“While I faced a lot of difficulties, I think the one that stood out the most was time. I was working while schooling, so it was very challenging for me.” To overcome the challenge, she adopted a “read to understand” approach to studying.
“To cope with the time issue, I always had to structure my activities in order to find a balance. My approach to studying was a “read to understand” one. So I don’t cram, except for my Cases and authorities. When I read, I try to break down the concepts in my head and explain it to myself as I would to another person.”
Joy’s relentless efforts yielded a harvest of success, as she proudly graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Law. Recognizing the privileges accorded to those with academic acumen, Joy observed;
“My advice to anyone who wants to achieve academic excellence is that they should always be diligent and committed to whatever they set their hearts upon. Diligence requires you to make intentional and deliberate efforts.
“What is important is putting in the work needed to achieve what you want. Study hard, find a reading mechanism that works for you, prepare for your exams ahead of time, and always put your best in any form of assessment. Whatever you do, do it well.”