My First Year at the University of Ghana

My First Year at the University of Ghana

A New Chapter Begins

          A student going for lectures

How would you feel traveling to a new place where you barely know anyone? Studying in an institution that emphasizes self-directed learning rather than getting much assistance from tutors? With your family holding high hopes for your success, yet you barely know how you’re going to survive in this unfamiliar environment- that is the struggle of being a first-year student at the university. My name is Florence Ama Gyamfua Tanno and this is my struggle as a first year university student.   

The Difficult Choice
I was fortunate to be accepted into all three best universities in Ghana. But honestly, choosing between them was a major struggle for both my family and me.
We even went as far as paying my academic fees for Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), but later opted for the University of Ghana (UG). This decision was influenced by the program I was offered and a helpful opinion shared by my uncle, who is a professor.                                                                                                                                                             Eventually, I enrolled at UG to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing, Economics, and Mathematics—instead of the BSc in Marketing and International Business I would have studied at KNUST.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            The Accommodation Struggle                                                                         

A university dormitory                   

After gaining admission, course registration went smoothly. But then came the real challenge: finding accommodation. I didn’t get a place on campus and had to settle for a private hostel.
As someone who was in a less busy city, the change felt like hell to me — from struggling to find a seat in crowded tro-tros, to navigating busy roads packed with impatient drivers and fast-moving vehicles. Every day felt like a new challenge, and I often questioned if I’d ever get used to this hectic city life in addition to life on campus.                                                                                            

First Semester: A Tough Start                                                                                                                                                          

In my first semester, I struggled academically because learning in the university is centered around self-directed learning, and adjusting to that was not easy.
To make matters worse, I frequently fell sick due to the change in environment and bad eating habits. As a non-resident, I had no one to share my academic struggles with. I cried myself to sleep many nights, especially after receiving my quiz and IA results from the Mathematics Department. Despite the tough start, I was grateful that I didn’t fail any of my courses. That, for me, was a victory.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

           A confused student     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                Second Semester: Turn for the Better
When the second semester began—trust me, it got better. I made a lot of new friends who now support me academically and guide me around campus. I feel optimistic that there will be a huge improvement in my performance this semester compared to last semester.                                                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                         A student studying                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

The Brighter Side

Initially, I feared my parents would be disappointed in me. But instead, they encouraged and motivated me, reminding me that they believed in my ability to do better.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                   A student happily hugging her parents                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                A Message to Fellow Level 100 Students
To every Level 100 student reading this: Stay hopeful, stay strong, and remember—with hard work and determination, it will surely get better.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                   Graduating students rejoicing                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

 Authored By: Florence Ama Gyamfua Tanno