A fresh graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Joy Chisom Nwachukwu, has celebrated finally earning her bachelor's degree, years after she left her department in her second year to retake the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Joy's Academic Journey: From Confusion to Determination
In 2017, Joy was admitted into UNN to study Combined Biological Sciences, a department she later described as confusing. In her second year, she made the bold decision to leave the department and retake JAMB. She knew what she wanted and prayed to God to grant her wish.
In 2019, after JAMB and post-UTME, she received the admission she had been praying for. However, her programme was elongated due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and an eight-month strike. Another strike in 2022 made the journey feel even longer. Joy faced a lot of backlogs in her department and endless billings.
Resilience Through Challenges
Joy stated that she was tired at different points, but she chose not to give up. What should have been a five-year programme turned into nine years. She eventually graduated, sharing her story on Facebook on June 27. Her post read in part: 'My journey began in 2017 when I got admitted into UNN to study Combined Biological Sciences. Friends who went to UNN will understand how confusing that department is. I decided to leave the department in 2nd year and rewrite Jamb again. I knew what I wanted and I prayed to God to grant my wish. I went through a lot and a lot went through me.'
She continued: 'Fast forward to 2019 JAMB and POST UTME. I finally got the "YES" I had been praying for. But that was not all. COVID-19 in 2020 and 8 months strike. Another strike in 2022 that made the journey feel longer. A lot of backlogs in my department plus the endless billings. At different points, I was tired. But I chose to say YES. YES to RESILIENCE. YES to GROWTH. YES to BECOMING. And now, after years of uncertainty, delays, tears and silent prayers... A 5 year journey that took 9 years of my life.... I finally crossed the finish line...'
Social Media Reactions
Legit.ng compiled some reactions to Joy's post. Charles Meludu commented: 'Congratulations Joy. Greater heights. I remember 2017 in combined biological sciences... It wasn't funny. Thank God.' Chinedu Samuel said: 'Congratulations, beloved, your joy will never run dry, welcome to the phase of your life where lines fall for you in pleasant places.' Onyeneke Mmasinachi wrote: 'Congratulations dear, you've done noble. Combined biological sciences was my department, class of 2014 and I combined Biochemistry/Microbiology. Tried switching to medicine in my second year but it didn't work out so I had to continue with BCH/MCB and graduated in 2014.' Favour Daniel added: 'I thank God for the strength, you are a strong woman, Congratulations to you, Joy.'
Related Story: UNN Graduate Fulfills Childhood Dream
In a related story, Legit.ng reported that another UNN graduate fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a pharmacist, as written in her secondary school yearbook. She was admitted into the Department of Pharmacy and graduated as a pharmacist.
