Life in KNUST|| Making it through four years in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)

 Education is the key to success, and so is the proclamation of so many people. The lots are also against this point of view. On the other side, see and understand this from a different perspective. One must first understand what education is. It's not all about sitting in the classroom and being taught Maths and Science, English and Social. Education is everywhere and in every corner of the world. Let us not waste too much time here talking about what can make one successful in life, determination will always lead you to your destination no matter the path you take in life. This is the reason why I bring to your table today how some students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology made it through their four years at the university. 

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology set on its high hills has made it through thin and thick to establish its name as one of the best schools in the world. But do both you and me, ever sit down to ask ourselves how students in this school cope, overcome, and endure? I have been in this institution before, and life here is so diverse. Every individual has a way of life, a principle, a home they came from, and training they had since childhood. It is very important for us to know and understand really how life in KNUST is, and how some managed to make it through this institution upon the many hardships they encountered. 

Life in itself is not balanced. Ask me the reason why I am saying this. Every person on our planet earth has a story to tell, and a situation they find themselves in. Life to me is not balanced because, there is a person who has a home to sleep, and there is another who has no home at all. Some can afford a three-square meal and others aren't. A student's parent could have all the capital to pay their tuition and provide for them while they are in school; others cannot. Think about all of these, and you will come to understand why life is not balanced. Let us get to the main subject of discussion.

Life in KNUST

I have been in this Academic institution before and life in this place is lovely and beautiful. I came across many students during my four years in school. Outside, I mean on our faces we all look normal, cheerful, and happy but deep inside us, every single one of us is having a challenge with one thing or the other. To some of us who came from a family where finance was a challenge, we learned to cope. Some had financially stable backgrounds but academic performance was a problem. Living in KNUST is like living in your own home where you can play by your own rules. Attend lectures or not, wake up early or late, no one will really bother you. But here lies the case whereby you can't just do everything you want because there will always be a penalty if you go against the institution's policies, rules, and regulations.

Academic Lifestyle in Knust

When it comes to the aspect of academics at KNSUT, laziness is not a habit to be encouraged. But from my own experience, the lack of self-discipline is what ruins many students' academic performance. Why am I saying this? During examination periods, studies for some students become a tug of war. I do not know how to describe this kind of feeling, but it is a feeling that gets you thinking you have more time left to finish your slides (PowerPoint presentations), but I bet you, this comes sooner than you may think.  Each and every student in KNUST study very hard to have good academic results.

The life story of some students who made it through four years in KNUST

Philemon

I met Philemon in my final year at KNUST. He was also in level four hundred and happened to be my roommate. I have been in the same room with him and got to know that, during his years in school, it hasn't been easy. He was a gospel rapper for his church and certainly God has been good to him. He narrated to me how his phone was stolen in his first year in the school, and the stress he had to go through before getting his lecture notes back after his phone was stolen. According to him, life in KNUST is diverse. Everyone has their ways of living, the group of people they like to walk with, and their learning strategy, among many others. I know, how hard it was sometimes to afford the three-square meal. At some points, one would have to eat in the afternoon and evening, or once a day. On some days, one would have to rely on a roommate for some dish, to have some food. 

Today, here is Philemon who has successfully made it through the four corners of Knust, proudly holding his degree in his hand. Do you know what this guy believes in most? Determination, Perseverance, and Endurance above are the keys to very happy endings. There are some students who have dropped out of school because of their Academic performance, or because life in the school was hard for them. We should all learn to overcome the obstacles we encounter daily as we journey towards new chapters in our lives.

Eliayasu Yahaya Bansi 

I have met many people, but Bansi has been one of a kind. To tell you the truth, his life story itself has been an inspiration. From the darkest alleys of life into the lights. I met this gentleman in my first year and fate happened to make us coursemates. He was in the same class as me and a close friend to me as well. Eliayasu was a hard-working student who always wanted to keep his grades up. He was the kind from a very financially weak background, so he had to always hustle to pay off his school fees. Managing academic stress with financing one's own education I'm sure wasn't an easy tax for this gentleman. During his graduation, he was announced as the best student in the College of Arts and Built Environment with the highest CWA. During his speech on this graceful occasion, he motivated the youth, saying boldly, that he was against the idea of galamsey since it destroys the natural environment but that was a job he had to at some point in school take so he could settle his school fees. 

As you read this now, Eliayasu emerged as the overall best student with a CWA of 81.04. This should be an encouragement to anyone who comes across this blog. As the popular saying goes, nothing good comes on a silver platter, and every effort and good planning you make today will have it same benefit for tomorrow. You know, mostly, we forget that whatever decision we take today will have its effects on us tomorrow. So if today, you decide to be lazy, not plan for the future ahead of you, and make the right decision in your life, then, in the future, you won't be able to get any good results. To get a good result, you must also do your greatest best. 

What must you do as a fresher in KNUST?

As a fresher in KNUST, though it is good to explore, one key thing you must do is take your studies very serious since that is the foundation of your results. It is true that you can still improve your CWA as you perform well in the second, and third years, but my advice is that you start earlier than later. 

Conclusion

Hello, I am certain this piece serves as a guide, a motivation, no matter which institution you find yourself in,  you will be able to do your best. Whether you are in KNUST, the University of Ghana, or Havard, wherever you find yourself, you should do your best.

Hint:

In every institution, I believe there is the counselling committee, scholarship committee, the Directorate of Student Affairs, as well as bursaries, you can always always approach any of these committees for the support you want. I am sure, this was what some students did when they were in difficulties.