In continuation of our exclusive interview with Mubarak Olaniyi, who graduated with a 4.98 CGPA at the Lagos State University (LASU), he sheds more light on his mentorship, reading strategies, and social life.
Did you have a mentor or a role model who guided or inspired you throughout your academic career?
I had mentors, and they were very instrumental. I want to be someone who mentors people because I know the importance of my journey.
I have a few mentors, I have the ones in academics, career, and leadership and the ones who lured me to join notable organizations.
I was blessed by these people because I know that if not that these people were there I would have been a one way person.
My academic mentor is Mr Daniel Anyaji. The other mentor is my leadership mentor and his name is Mr Francis.
My career mentor is Mr Shotunde Oladimeji, I don’t know if it rings a bell but he was the BGS of 2018/2019 academic session at Lagos State University.
I have others too.
Can you share any strategies for staying motivated and focused, especially during difficult times?
While I was in the 100 level, we had issues with Covid 19. I mentioned earlier that I was the kind of person who made sure to finish my course outline in week 7 or 8 of the semester.
I know that I had to make hay while the sun shines. I was blessed with the opportunity of getting past questions and reading materials from my seniors.
I made sure I had my timetable and read up before week 8. That was in 100 level first and second semester, and 200 level first semester.
In the 200 level second semester, after getting the mantle of leadership I couldn’t read anything until it was time for exams.
Thank God, I had a friend Darcy Monday who loved reading, I associated with him. You know when you have someone who reads as if he wants to have more than an A.
How did you read for your exams and ensure you retained the information you studied?
I had actually worked when I had the time in 100 level and trained my brain. I also recognized my reading pattern.
I tried so many patterns prior, but the pattern that worked for me was reading and writing. When I read and write, I understand more.
All these things helped me. In the 300 level, my focus was academics but I knew I had to do something else because I love self-development.
Then, I didn’t used to read until exam comes because I know what works for me and how well I could grab it.
Did you participate in any internships or practical experiences during your studies? If so, how did they contribute to your learning?
I tried to follow the crowd when people spoke about Udemy and Coursera, but I wasn’t able to attain a certificate.
I got involved in other things like Learnerly, I got a certificate from Learnerly.
Being someone who loves impact, I had the opportunity of being a part of the Millennium Campus Network fellowship UN, to take on a project.
My project was paving way for academic excellence.
My project was about giving free tutorials, free reading materials, virtual and physical trainings, webinars, and other things to people of Lagos State University.
I called on some of my lectures to address people. I got certified from the United States for giving out free education.
How did you balance the pressures of academic performance with maintaining your mental and physical health?
I did a lot of prayers whenever I was confused and stressed. I am religious. I consulted all mentors while overwhelmed and compared the advice.
Through the support, I was able to scale through.
I had a girlfriend till ending 200 level first semester, I had to let her go. I am a very emotional person, I didn’t leave her because of my academics, never.
I could balance my emotions and academics. I would look for a way of getting rid of the emotions.
I have a female friend, Mercy, and whenever I have emotional issues she would know. She would ask, Mubaraq what’s wrong with you? What about your girlfriend?
So, she would be the one to tell me what to do after I pour my heart out.
What are your plans for the future, and how do you intend to use the knowledge and skills you’ve gained at LASU?
I have a lot of plans. I really want to further my studies abroad, I want that masters for myself because I fell in love with accounting and became an accountant.
I am also on my ICAN because I just want to clear that stereotype about accounting education. When I wanted to register for jamb, I loved accounting and I always used to get A’s in accounting.
