I nearly lost weight from pressure to excel at LASU — First-class graduate

Vanessa Obiadika, a 21-year-old Mass Communication graduate from Lagos State University, has managed to balance her academic success with her passion for broadcasting, voiceover and content creation. She achieved a CGPA of 4.52 during her time at LASU and spoke with TEMITOPE ADETUNJI about her journey to earning a first-class degree, the obstacles she faced, the influence of faith and family, and her future aspirations.

Graduating with a first-class distinction was not something Vanessa initially aimed for when she enrolled at LASU in April 2023. At that time, her primary focus was enjoying university life, honing her skills, and exploring various opportunities. She managed to maintain a 4.24 CGPA in her first semester and a 4.17 GPA in her second semester. However, her performance improved as she progressed through her academic journey, eventually achieving First Class GPAs during her third and fourth years.

Vanessa believes that graduating with a first-class GPA signifies excellence, and she attributes her success to God's grace and the support of her family. Despite facing numerous challenges during her childhood, including a difficult upbringing and unstable familial circumstances, she drew inspiration from her mother's resilience and nurtured her love for performing arts. Her passion for voice and performance ultimately led her to pursue Mass Communication at LASU.

Reflecting on her study routine throughout her undergraduate years, Vanessa shared that her approach evolved as she moved through the different academic levels. Initially, she tried to study daily and attend tutorials, but her efforts were not always reflected in her grades. As she entered her second and third years, she became more strategic in her approach, dedicating one or two weeks to intense preparation before examinations while continuing to balance her academic responsibilities with her extracurricular activities.