I still remember those days after secondary school. I spent two years at home because I took some gap years. I didn’t spend so much time thinking about university. but whenever I did, I used to imagine how my life might change once I entered university.
Growing up, I watched a lot of movies about university life and how they portrayed it has a phase that changes people. I don’t know if it just in Nollywood , but they kinda always make it look like once people became independent, they started following bad company and become wayward. There were always stories about students romantically chasing after guys or girls, parties and all that.
When I finally got into university, i didn’t expect to see all that, but through my own eyes, it was quite different. To me, university was simply a place filled with diverse people in different field, all trying to gain knowledge. It was no doubt different from secondary secondary but it not that different.
I think this has a lot to do with the kind of person I am. I consider myself a homebody; I try not to look reason to leave my house. I’m not a total introvert though, I can talk to people, even strangers, but I don’t usually keep friends.
In my first year, especially during the first semester, I didn’t make real friends, I was only hanging out with people. As time went on, I made a few friends but they were kind of similar in personality. Even my roommates were just as much of homebody as I was.
So, if you ask me, “Would I be at a different point if I went to a different university?” I’d say “yes, but would it have been a drastic change? Definitely not”.
And if you ask, “Would the different friends I might have made change me?” Probably yes.
I see myself as someone who doesn’t get easily influenced, and that is true. But still, no matter how strong you think you are, the people around you influence you, even if they are subtle changes. The environment and the kind of friends you keep always leave an impact.
Say, I went to a different university, maybe I would meet people who were more outgoing, ambitious, passionate, and encouraging. I believe that it might have rubbed off me. I might have learnt new lessons, or developed a different habits.
My current university is chill, not much goes on; just few events here and there and some few parties here and there. Meanwhile, some universities has more activities, lively programs, and communities, wealthy or expressive people. I’d have become less of a homebody.
Regardless of the school I find myself in, I believe both personality and environment both play a big role shaping who we become. As someone who doesn’t like to stress myself too much, I also believe that if my school environment demanded more of me, I’d have adjusted and given more of myself; and that might have led to some changes.
To be honest, this coming semester, I am challenging myself to see my university with a different lenses and explore opportunities. But right now, I’m this university, the major difference is that I live without my family, ha.
♡
♥︎
𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆.
