Joy Ahiakwo, Caleb University 2025 First Class and Best Graduating Student says, …the only thing that would limit a person is the person + 10 Take aways

Joy Nmachukwu Ahiakwo, 26 is a celebrated overall best-graduating student of Industrial Chemistry from the Caleb University, Ikorodu, Lagos State. She graduated with a 4.98 CGPA out of 5.0 as a First Class student in the Class of 2024 and won almost all the school’s available top prizes. Here she shares her academic journey of success, strategies and principles with Providence News. Except;

What motivated your choice of course study?

I liked chemistry (smiles). When I was looking for courses to apply for, my dad suggested I take a course I would be good at and get A’s in. I had the options of engineering, biochemistry, and industrial chemistry. I wasn’t sure what industrial chemistry was about because I knew chemistry but not industrial chemistry. I took it up and found it was about how chemistry is applied in industries. It seemed like a good option, so I chose Industrial Chemistry.

How did you balance your academic studies with other activities and peer pressure?

My academic programme was hectic. We used to have bulky courses. We had process science and calculation in organic chemistry. Looking back, I enjoyed chemistry and didn’t see it as cumbersome. It was in the 200 level that we took a general course and we had physics and statistics. But from the 300 level, it was full of chemistry and I loved it. There were general courses but they were mainly chemistry and I enjoyed them. While in school I focused on my academics and at home, I focused on my business, social life, family and other things. I had some trading but when I was in school it was on hold, I couldn’t combine both. My dad was paying my school fees and that helped me.

I was in school for school, not for relationships, social life or playing with friends. Caleb doesn’t have a social life, they’re more of you’re in school for school. It was church, class, hostel, then cafeteria.

It was easy to balance because there were no other activities I was doing in school. With peer pressure, it was just me, I was my peer pressure and tried as much as I could not to be influenced by people. However, I tried to limit how I compared myself with others. I was pushing myself to be better for myself and be the best at those things I’m good at, that’s my peer pressure.

Were you expecting to graduate with first class and how did you feel being the best student?

I knew I would be a first-class student but not the best-graduating student. Truth was, I wanted it but as the convocation day drew closer and I hadn’t heard anything I was worried because I heard in 300 levels there was someone who was also on a five-point in another department, that bothered me, maybe she got it. But when I got the call I was thankful because God kept His promises and I felt that moment of doubt was the devil wanting me to question God. In honesty, I was grateful and remembered how much of a good Father God is.

What reading pattern and study modality did you adopt to achieve your feet?

While at Caleb, I was very strict with myself as much as I had some downtime. I had a schedule I tried my best to keep to read every day from 7 pm to 10 pm and then at 400 levels I started taking breaks in my reading, instead of reading every day I would take Fridays off and relax watching a movie with friends but then in 400 levels I started reading from 7 pm to 11 pm instead of 7 pm to 10 pm and was very strict on myself. My classes were from 8 am to 4 pm or 3 pm. After classes, I’ll go straight to the cafeteria to get food and go to the hostel to eat, then rest till around 5 pm to 7 pm and start my reading till 11 pm. I have time. I would take a break to press my phone but be strict with myself on those times and never let my coursework wait. If I learned something today I would read and understand it that week without allowing it to be long before reading it. When exams or tests came, I was not reading afresh, but revising. In case one or two tests came up and I wasn’t prepared for it. Even if I hadn’t read the night before, I could remember what I had read. I was always on my feet and not waiting for things to happen, that helped me achieve my feet.

Do you often go for group studies or do it alone?

For the most part, I studied by myself because a number of my coursemates were not in my hostel, only two out of eight girls were in my hostel, which made three of us in the hostel and I wasn’t close to them. I was mostly reading by myself but then my department had tutorials we organised because we’re a small department and it’s funny, I was always the one teaching the tutorials (smiles ). I was more or less by myself and I would have loved to read with someone but it was in the 300 level, second semester down to the 400 level that I found someone to read with and she wasn’t in my department, we were reading together, not studying the same thing. I mostly read by myself and there was no time I went to someone to ask questions or explain some things.

What were the challenges as a student and how do you overcome them?

In honesty, my biggest challenge was that my coursework was bulky, there was a lot to learn but a number of them were related. They may be bulk but they could tie different courses together. I enjoyed chemistry and that made it easy to see my way through. Another challenge is with Caleb University, we had lots of Christian activities; we had midweek services, discipleship class, prayer forum, and there’ll be a crusade. There was always one thing going on and trying to juggle that with school or reading every night. On the days we have those events, you have to choose one or the other and most times I choose my books. That’s what was a challenge and I didn’t have much problem. Whatever happens happens, but I didn’t have a problem with the rules Caleb gave as a challenge.

What are the professional prospects and the future of your course?

Chemistry is a broad and beautiful subject because it’s everything you can think of. There are many pathways and prospects I can look into but I present into consulting because I don’t like monotony. If I decide to work in an organisation, I’ll be limiting myself and having to repeat the same thing I would not enjoy. I’m looking at opportunities that will allow me to test different fields because I’m interested in pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, cosmetics, home care, and skin care including clothing, textiles, paints and other things.

If I decided to limit myself to one thing, I would not be fulfilled or satisfied. That’s what my future is currently looking forward to, and dabbling into everything possible. I’m open, ready and excited to see what comes my way.

What is your relationship with other students and the impact of your school, department, and lecturers on your academic success?

I didn’t start on the best foot with my coursemates because I was a direct-entry student. It was hard for me to get into the circle they had built from the 100 level, it took some time to warm up with them. By the 400 level, it became better, I could sit and converse with them without embarrassment and it wasn’t their fault. I was closed off when I got into the school and that affected several things. The impact of the school on my departments and lecturers was okay. We are a small department and there was no diversity. I’m grateful to most of my lecturers, they were not just teachers, they tried as best as they could to associate with us, befriend us, and be our mentors, mothers and that was beautiful because it helped us not to see them as far-fetched, far-reached people. We could meet them if we had problems, for advice and I wasn’t afraid of meeting them because they made it an open door policy. There was a level of friendship we had and to date I’m still in contact with some of my lecturers, they did their best to be there for us. They were all more advanced in knowledge and were willing to help. That also contributed to my success.

How have the awards inspired you and your future calculation?

The awards inspired me because they opened my mind to how much there is to achieve. They are the beginning of something amazing and a reminder that the only thing that would limit a person is themselves. I was excited to do more to push myself and be better than I am currently. It’s not an end goal, it’s the start of something new and that’s the inspiration.

How would you describe your parents’ impact and role on your successful academic journey?

I’m so happy for my parents, they are one of the hugest impacts I had while schooling at Caleb University. I remember my dad noticed I was struggling to fit into the school. He tried his best to make me as comfortable as he could, and everyone thought I was a spoiled child because everyone had a hand fan and there was me with a rechargeable standing fan. My dad worked hard to make sure I was comfortable. He also recognised that I was struggling to adjust, having come from America and now schooling in Nigeria. He wanted to make it as smooth as he could, when I looked back I was honestly grateful. Several times I’d mention something and the next day he was in my school with what I asked for. It was not until the 400 level that I started going back to school by myself, every other time I was getting picked up and dropped off by my parents and that was a good time to connect with them because they were working when I was home. They impacted me, my dad implemented I must call him every week while in school. The thought that I had parents who strongly supported me was why I cried during my speech. Honestly, they were a good help and I’m grateful to them.

What is your advice to students aspiring to graduate with similar outstanding results?

My advice is; one, don’t limit yourself thinking I can’t do it, it’s too hard. Put your best foot forward, once you put your mind to something and back it up with action, anything is possible. Second, hold on to God and trust in His guidance because He is such a good Father that He will guide you into everything and will not lead you to fail. I remember in the 400 level first semester, for the first time in Caleb I had a bad experience with my roommates, I tried to get my potter to change my room, but she didn’t want to change the room before I resumed for the second semester I prayed about it that, God please I want a better room I want people that will not fight with me. In the second semester, I got the best I didn’t expect, that was my best room in Caleb. I loved my roommates. We fought, but there was friendship, sisterhood, and unmatched bonding. They were believers, I was grateful they were serious with their books. When we need to play we play and it’s always beautiful.

Third is, that you’re in school for school. Your priority in school is your books, not your friends, your boyfriend, social life, not being a church worker, eating good food, and playing. Fourth is, to focus on your books and keep that in mind, as much as you want to experience everything academic has to offer and enjoy your undergraduate journey. The four years is a short time but if you’re looking elsewhere for inspiration you may not succeed with it. Your priority and focus are your books and should remain your books.

Was there any pressure on you to graduate with first class?

I had no pressure from anyone regarding my graduating with a first class. When I saw my first semester’s results which was 211, I was excited and told my parents and my pastor, and they were happy. I got the encouragement to maintain my grades and not slip up. It wasn’t that anyone pressured me, people were focused on my spiritual growth and I can see it’s because, as a good Christian you’re good at everything, a good believer is an all-rounder. There wasn’t any pressure on me for my academic success. If anything I was pressuring myself to be better because my first semester’s results were solid A’s like 80 and above, 90 and above and by 300 level first semester one of my teachers called me to find out how I was doing and mentioned that she noticed my grades were slipping. Also, two other lecturers said the same thing to me, that pressure to get better was on me, I understand that mentality of it’s still okay. But if I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it the best way and that’s my pressure and that pressure was for me to maintain my high A’s.

What are the guiding principles that helped your academic success?

Honestly, my guiding principles had been God guiding me to do everything. There were times I got led to read specific things, ask questions or meet someone at a time, that is the leading of the Holy Spirit and I trust in Him leading me. The second is to be on top of my books. I tried my best not to let my work pile up, I stayed on top of my books, and I didn’t leave anything to chance. If I was confused, I asked questions and got resources that helped me. If I need help I am not afraid to ask for help. My department was small, it was easy to ask questions in class and it is good to seek help and not be ashamed or feel they’re going to judge you or feel your parents are paying the school fees, you do not want to let their efforts be a waste. If I’m in school, I’m in school and focused on school. I don’t mix my social life with my school life because I am a social butterfly. I like going to places and exploring new things but my boundary lines are distinct.

Are you willing to take up a lecturing job if offered by your school or any other institution?

I don’t want to say yes or no but I don’t enjoy teaching. Funnily, I was the one taking tutorials from my department (smiling), I would not say it was fun but my patience level is not high and I can’t say I may take up any teaching job but I’m open to whatever field God would have me as long as it’s in His will for me. I trust God to direct me into what He wants me to do. But at this very moment in God’s plans for me, I am aware teaching is not there.

10 Take Aways from Joy Ahiakwo: 

1. When I was looking for courses to apply for, my dad suggested I should do a course I would be good at and get A’s in.

2. I enjoyed chemistry and didn’t see it as cumbersome. I was grateful and remembered how good Father God is.

3. I was in school for school, not for relationships, social life or playing with friends. I focused on my academics. It was church, class, hostel, then cafeteria.

4. With peer pressure, there wasn’t any pressure on me it was just me, If anything, it was my peer pressure pressuring me to get better.

5. I was very strict with myself as much as I had some downtime. I had a schedule. I tried my best to keep reading and always on my feet, not waiting for things to happen.

6. I mostly read by myself, there was no time I went to someone to ask questions or explain things.

7. Whatever happens happens, but I didn’t have a problem with the rules Caleb gave as a challenge.

8. There are many pathways and prospects but looking at consulting because I don’t like monotony.

9. There’s a level of friendship we have to date, I’m still in contact with some of my lecturers.

10. I’m so happy for my parents. They have an impact on me. My dad implemented that I must call him every week while in school.