My Life as a University Student — Bella’s Survival Story
Sometimes I, Bella, feel like university life is a whole dramatic TV series, and somehow I am the main character who is always shocked by each new episode. Nobody warned me that school would be a mixture of stress, hunger, unexpected joy, sudden tears, and confusion that I usually blame on “heat” or “dust.”
My Daily Fight With the Alarm Clock:Every single morning, my first struggle begins.My alarm rings confidently at 6:30 am.Me: “Five more minutes.”Next thing—it's 7:52.Now picture me, Bella, running around like I’m late for my own wedding—wearing my shoes, packing my bag, brushing my teeth, and panicking all at the same time. I rush to class only to meet the lecturer who NEVER comes early… yet today, he came before me. God, why?
The Financial Battle: Money That Disappears MysteriouslyUniversity humbled my wallet.One minute I have money, the next minute I’m calculating transport fare like a professional accountant. I’ve learned the sacred art of stretching ₦2k for three full days.My diet has become loyal—rice today, rice tomorrow, rice next week. At this point, 70% of my body is rice and the remaining 30% is pure survival spirit
. Assignments: The Silent EnemiesAssignments in university don’t walk—they fly.One lecturer gives a presentation.Another gives a group project.Another decides we deserve a 10-page assignment due to the next day. I always tell myself, “Bella, you will start early this time.”But guess who is typing at 2:14 am with one eye open and one eye spiritually traveling?Me. Bella. Your girl.Yet somehow, I still submit. I still survive. I still continue this academic journey.
Group Work: Where My Patience Is Tested:Group work is the real definition of character development.The team usually includes:The ghost (nobody has seen them since week 1)The talkative who contributes zeroThe “please write my name” championThe one who comes late and acts like they’ve done everythingAnd me, Bella—the only one who wants us to pass.Group chats are always full of “I’m coming,” “I will send it soon,” and “Let’s meet tomorrow”… but actual work? Nobody.
Balancing Stress, School, Life, and Small Enjoymen: Some days I feel strong.Some days I want to throw my phone on the bed and sleep forever.Some nights I’m eating noodles at midnight asking myself, “Who sent me to school?”But somehow, I still wake up the next day.I still fight.I still try.I still move—because Bella does not give up.
The Sweet Moments That Make It Worth It:Even in the middle of stress, small joys keep me going:When a lecturer cancels class unexpectedly,When my food actually tastes niceWhen I pass a course I was already crying ove,rWhen I laugh with friends until my belly hurts.When I realize I’m growing, learning, and becoming stronger every day
At the End of the Day…University life is not a joke.It’s stressful.It’s emotional.It’s funny.It’s confusing.It’s unpredictable.But it is shaping me—Bella—into someone stronger, smarter.