MY ASOEBI BOYS

A Reflective Recap of My Last Semester in this place.

As I sit here in this empty office that feels isolated, reflecting on my final semester in university, I can’t help but smile when I think of my journey thus far.

On the first day of my fifth year (500 level), it felt surreal, as if I had returned for an extra year, an unexpected detour on a road I thought I knew well. The familiar faces that had made my previous years memorable gradually faded away, leaving me with an unsettling sense of being lost. I felt suffocated, as though I were gasping for fresh air in a room filled with memories of what once was.

Everything seemed off right from the start. I found myself disliking my new roommates and feeling discontented with the university atmosphere.

I constantly complained about everything: the classes, the food, and the lack of familiar laughter echoing through the walls. Most days I was lost in a reverie, reminiscing about the better times I spent with the girls.

In all honesty, I put up walls around myself, shutting out the world and refusing to let anyone in.

However, this bleak phase of mine, this newfound identity as a hermit, only lasted for a semester.

As the second semester rolled around, a gradual transformation began within me. I started to embrace my situation, slowly realizing that being the only girl in my class could actually be quite empowering. I found laughter creeping back into my life, filling the spaces once occupied by negativity. Adapting to my roommates became easier; there were days when they truly came through for me.

Of course, there were moments when I felt utterly out of place, days punctuated by panic attacks and nights spent at the clinic. Yet, during those trying times, my roommates and the family I built here were always right beside me. They stood by me on days I didn’t feel like pushing through, on days I wanted to give up.

These new friends were a delightful surprise in my university experience. They had an extraordinary ability to bring a smile to my face on days when I felt like packing my bags and heading home. Whether it was a simple text asking how my day was going or a “What would you like to eat?” text made the weight of loneliness more bearable.

There were times when I grew weary of the cafeteria food, and a friend cooked for me. I spent the first five minutes feeling emotional because that was the nicest thing someone had ever done for me in this school.

Beyond food, these friends provided entertainment and laughter; they shared new movies with me, ensuring I always had something to look forward to, especially on quiet evenings when boredom threatened to engulf me. There were days they frustrated me, challenging my patience, but those same moments also filled my heart with laughter and warmth.

During my trips to the clinic on particularly tough days, they were right by my side. Their unwavering support reminded me that I was not alone on this journey. They would sit with me, distract me with stories or jokes, and when I felt weak, they would pray with me, lifting my spirits with their faith and encouraging words. Those moments felt like an embrace from a family I didn’t know I needed.

Then there is my Asoebi boys, my coursemates who played a significant role in shaping my experience during this semester. They never allowed me to feel left out of conversations or happenings in class. Their camaraderie and open-mindedness made learning enjoyable and engaging. I truly looked forward to our interactions; class was never boring with them around. They transformed what could have been a solitary part of my university journey, and I can honestly say I will miss them more than words can express. I will miss those moments when I had to beg and plead with them to help me create content or take a group picture.

As I sit here in this quiet space, listening to the solemn voice of Dunsin Oyekan, one phrase resonates deeply with me: “If all I have is Jesus, that’s more than enough.” This sentiment perfectly encapsulates how my final semester has felt. Despite the challenges and impending goodbyes, I find solace and strength in my faith, knowing that I am truly blessed to have had such amazing people around me as I journeyed through this chapter of my life.

Felt cute might delete later😉