Good day, Hive Students connect Members

I was deep into my study session last night when suddenly, a notification popped up on my phone. Out of curiosity, I tapped on it—and wow! It was a tag from my coursemate @emlynx on this community’s weekly writing prompt. As I read through it, my heart lit up with joy. The prompt spoke directly to us students and I knew immediately that I had to write about it once we were back from class today, especially after such a hectic week full of tests.

Let’s dive into this incredible prompt: A Day in the Life of a Student.

My Background and How I Got Here

I’m currently a 400-level Veterinary Medicine student. In vet school, we have three major phases,

1. Pre-clinical (200 level and 300 level first semester),

2. Para-clinical (300 level second semester to 400 level second semester), and

3. Clinical (500 to 600 level).

Fun fact: 100-level students aren’t considered "vet" students yet they’re called Pre-vets

Now, let me tell you how I found myself in this department.

I initially wrote JAMB twice and applied to study Pharmacy at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). Unfortunately, I didn’t pass their internal Post-UTME exam, despite having good JAMB scores. I was left frustrated and uncertain until a friend encouraged me to apply for a course in his school—Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State. I applied using the same JAMB result since the school didn’t require Post-UTME at the time.

I had no idea that the course I applied for Veterinary Medicine would end up shaping my life. I only chose it because it was the only medical-related course available. I had no passion for it. In fact, the name of the school sounded more agricultural than medical. But somehow, I got admitted.

The Turning Point

I entered the department with zero passion and even less seriousness. In 100 level and the first semester of 200 level, I was just floating through missing classes, hanging out with friends, and ignoring the academic weight of the course. But everything changed after I failed three courses in 200 level.

I learned about the professional exam required before entering the paraclinical phase. The rule was clear: if you have more than 4 credit unit carryovers, you repeat the year. That was my wake-up call.

I had to go for resits in my second semester and, thankfully, passed 2 out of 3 courses. That experience completely changed my mindset. I shifted from being unserious and undisciplined to becoming one of the most dedicated students in my class not the most intelligent, but certainly one of the most consistent.

My Daily Life Routine

I resume school every day by 7:30 am, so I wake up at 1:00 am to study. This has been my daily routine for years now it’s my secret hack. I study from 1:00 am to 5:00 am, prepare, and then head to class using a bike ..Shoutout to my regular bike guy😂

Classes typically run as follows:

• 8:00 am – 10:00 am

• 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

• Break: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

• 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm (Sometimes extended to 5:30 pm)

I usually get back home around 6:00 pm (after trekking back with my friends). Once I’m home, I cook (because I prefer home cooked meals over junk), eat, and then sleep by 8:00 or 9:00 pm. That’s my life, in a loop every semester.

The Practical Side

Oh, and let’s not forget Wednesdays Every Wednesday from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, we have **practical sessions, where we get to apply everything we’ve been learning theoretically. This is the part of the course that excites me the most!

Just last week, we had a practical on anaesthesia, and I watched mice fall asleep so peacefully it was both fascinating and emotional. It’s these sessions that slowly made me fall in love with the course I once resented.

Passion Ignited

The real turning point in finding passion for Veterinary Medicine came in my 300 level second semester when I encountered Pharmacology. That single course sparked something in me. From then on, I began to take things even more seriously, fully embracing this path.

Now, I’m in my 400 level second semester, getting ready for yet another professional exam coming up next month August. It’s been a long, tough journey, but the discipline I cultivated has kept me going.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. All pictures shared are mine.