IF OTHER DEPARTMENTS CAN PRODUCE TOP STUDENTS, WHY NOT ENGLISH?- ZAINAB ATOYEBI, FIRST CLASS GRADUATE OF DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH, OAU

 *Can we meet you?*

•I am Adéwùmí Zainab Atóyèbí. I recently graduated from the Department of English with a First Class degree (Honours)and the privilege of being the best graduating student of the department.

*How do you feel bagging first-class degree in the Department of English since the last time it was recorded?*

• I feel very joyful and grateful to God who enabled me and gave me the privilege to have achieved such a feat. While I was diligent with my studies, it is entirely by the grace and favour of God that I graduated well, and I am sincerely grateful for it.

*What challenges did you encounter?*

• The Department of English is undeniably challenging on its own, especially considering its past records. Personally, I faced health, accomodation and financial challenges, as well as the disappointment of having grades below my expectations. Every of such situations, especially when I first had C's in 300 level, was so discouraging and demoralising, but upon all that, I still give thanks to God for He always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus.

*Did you engage in extracurricular activities?*

• I volunteered in various campus programmes and I was actively involved in my church, God's Love Tabernacle.

 Effective time management is the key for me in balancing my academics with other commitments in my life. Balance becomes easy when you learn to do the right thing at the right time.

*How did you balance them with academics?*

• I had to sacrifice social activities that didn't contribute to my academic goals. I limited my social media usage, focusing primarily on WhatsApp for essential communication. I also had to resist peer pressure and prioritise my studies.

*What would you consider a failure?*

• While I personally consider a grade below a B a bad grade, I believe true failure in academics lies in giving up. Academic dishonesty, such as cheating or plagiarism, even when it brings "success", is also failure on its own.

*Have you failed any course before?*

• No.

*In what way do you think this has impacted junior colleagues in the department?*

• I believe it has brought to light that having a first class degree is not an impossible feat. I hope my achievement has inspired my junior colleagues to believe that a First Class degree in English department is attainable. It's disheartening to see the pervasive belief that certain grades are unattainable in our department. If other departments (even so-called professional and highly demanding departments like Law, Pharmacy, etc.) can produce top students, why not English? I'm optimistic that this trend of excellence will continue.

Thank you.