They deceived me. 😭😂

.

Before writing JAMB, I did my homework.

I made enquiries about different universities and the courses they offered. I researched courses that matched my interests, what each course was about, the admission requirements, career opportunities, and everything else I could find.

Right from secondary school, I had always loved Tech.

Anything related to technology and innovation excited me. I wanted a career that would allow me to work from anywhere, solve problems, create things, contribute my knowledge and skills behind the scenes, and build a good life for myself.

During my research, Computer Science looked like the perfect fit.

They even said, "With Computer Science, you can work anywhere." 😌

My elder brother wanted me to study Nursing for reasons that made sense to him.

But I knew myself.

I don't have the heart or patience to take care of patients in a hospital every day. I knew that path wasn't for me. I can't endure in that field.

So I chose Computer Science.

I gained admission on merit in my first JAMB attempt, and I resumed school with plenty of excitement and expectations.

In my mind, I was about to learn everything about computers, programming, software development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and all the beautiful things I had read online.

Then reality happened.

My disappointment was even disappointed. 😭😂

100 Level

Almost everything felt like a repeat of what I already learnt in SS3.

200 Level

A good number of borrowed courses that had little or nothing to do with Computer Science.

300 Level

Finally, we started touching things that actually looked like Computer Science.

Web development.

Cybersecurity.

Information Technology.

Networking.

Artificial Intelligence and Neural Network.

Some real practical sessions.

That year was also the toughest year of my undergraduate journey.

400 Level

More advanced versions of the same courses, plus Industrial Training.

500 Level

A summary of everything, alongside final year project.

And now, I'm asking myself, "Where's the Computer Science I came to study?"

The painful part?

Our teaching is probably 95% theory and just 5% practical.

Even the little practical we had came with many challenges.

Imagine ten students sharing one desktop computer.

Imagine students standing outside because the laboratory could not accommodate everyone.

Imagine asking students to contribute money for fuel before practical classes could hold.

Imagine spending almost the whole day in the lab and still going home without learning anything new or meaningful.

Many of us attended practical classes mainly because attendance was compulsory.

Honestly, I worry about the future of our educational system.

Some lecturers never entered the classroom to teach throughout the semester, yet they confidently set examination questions.

Imagine a lecturer telling students he couldn't teach because salaries had not been paid for months.

Imagine five lecturers handling one course, and then setting separate examination questions and a student is expecting to answer all.

The funniest part is that some of them probably cannot answer the questions set by another lecturer handling the same course. 😂

Today, almost every course mate of mine doing well in Tech is self-taught or learnt outside the classroom. Very few can confidently say they learnt those skills from university lectures alone.

After experiencing all these, I started asking myself,

"Did my original dream change, or did Nigeria simply happen?" 😂

It truly became "What I ordered versus what I got."

There were days I regretted choosing Computer Science.

Sometimes, I even told myself I should have focused completely on business instead of stressing myself with university.

I can't confidently tell someone that I studied Computer Science. I can't defend it with my full chest. Sadly, that's the truth. 😭 

Most of what I've learnt that is useful today came from personal learning, online resources, constant practice, and curiosity.

But despite everything, I still believe one thing.

No knowledge is ever wasted.

University taught me more than academics.

It taught me resilience.

It taught me survival.

It taught me patience.

It taught me management.

It taught me how to keep moving even when things were difficult.

And for those people that told me "Computer Science graduates can work anywhere," if I finish school and don't get a job, FUTO should be ready to refund me.

Don't worry. I still have all my school payment receipts. 😂😂

After school... what next?

Well... A story for another day.

I am DeLight.

A professional Ghostwriter.

A Storywriter.

And someone who believes that every experience, whether good or bad, becomes part of the story that shapes us.

#ItCanOnlyGetBetter ❤️