Amondi Oware
My number one rule of getting services at any government facility in Kenya is attack by dawn. There are always long queues so you want to make sure you are among the top fifty or a hundred. At least then you will be sure to get your service or feedback that will help with your process.
My sister and I braved the 6AM cold and drizzling weather to make it to the University of Nairobi. It’s her admission day. We squeezed past parents with their children dragging suitcases as we looked for her faculty building. You could tell that they travelled overnight and long distances just to be there on time. We finally made it to the hall where the process of admission was to take place.
University of Nairobi (UoN) /Courtesy/
Parents were requested to leave the hall and allow the students go through the process alone. We hovered around in the gloomy weather. Seriously, what is this August weather? There were days when we could say with our chests that there will be a lot of heat and sunshine in August. Nowadays we just wake up to whatever.
Anyway, my sister was done with her admission by 12 midday which was very impressive because when I joined Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in 2015, I finished my admission at 6PM. Things have clearly changed. Apparently, the trick is to upload the crucial documents during online application on their portal and have the requested hard copies printed before getting into the hall.
I am related to three lovely ladies getting into university this year. On one of our calls my cousin requested, “Amondi please make time and talk to the girls, at least you survived university so you can share a few words of wisdom with them.”
As I sat with the parents outside that hall, I could tell from their faces how worried they were. Are their children ready to navigate the murky waters of university? Some even kept going back and forth to make sure that their children were okay. I guess nothing prepares parents for this moment.
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) /Courtesy/
FAITH
I still remember vividly the Sunday before I left for JKUAT. My church youth group prayed over me and shared a few words of wisdom. What stuck with me, “When you get there make sure you join the Christian Union (CU)” I remember pressing my sister during the whole day of my admission to help me find the CU stand. In hindsight, I’m glad that I took that advice because I feel like joining the Christian Union shielded me from a lot of campus horrors.
So, what can I tell the girls? Work on your relationship with God, whatever that looks like. It will help you navigate the murky waters of university life away from your family.
“Make sure you look good and keep your hair neat,” I texted my sister the night before, “Trust me, you want your school ID photo to look good.” For my four years in JKUAT I cringed every time I looked at my school ID. The photo was taken at 6PM and I guess both the photographer and I were exhausted for the day. So, I am telling the girls to make sure they look good for the camera.
“Focus on your books and stay away from boys,” My dad advised. “Men will always be there; in fact, the quality gets better after you graduate and get your job.”
My dad always knew what to say in every situation. It is one thing I truly miss about him now that he went to be with the Lord. I would tell the girls to start strong academically. That way you are sure to maintain the same academic standards in the proceeding years.
About boys, I would tell them to date a lot but stay cautious. They should know what consent means to them because most men with raging hormones do not think about that. I would drum it in, that as sad as it is, your safety as a woman is mostly in your hands so, you have to vet men and friends thoroughly before being in certain spaces with them.
FRIENDSHIPS
Most of my best experiences in campus were with my friends. I would encourage the girls to be intentional about friendships. If you make good ones, they will carry you beyond university. Many of my friendships did not make it beyond university but that does not change the fact that they enriched my life within the four years. Not all friendships are meant to last a lifetime; some are meant to catapult you to the next level and teach you more about yourself.
I would emphasize on keeping good company because I have seen many good peoples’ lives destroyed or derailed by bad friendships.
FINANCIAL LITERACY
Pursue financial literacy. This is a lesson I learned the hard way during my unemployed season after university. I wished I had saved or invested some of my HELB loan and pocket money. I would encourage the girls to save a lot and even start small side hustles to test their business acumen.
Attend as many financial literacy events as possible. Read as many financial books as you can. This will help ease your financial life after university.
LIVE LIFE
Lastly, have lots of fun and explore opportunities beyond class. Join clubs, societies, sports or volunteering groups. These are the spaces you learn what you are actually good at. You gain skills and networking opportunities that will serve your career life.
Organize fun activities with friends and show up for them. Take many photos to memorize those beautiful moments.
INCREASE SKILL SETS
To conclude, Kenya, and Africa at large is known for being a paper-oriented nation or continent. Having degrees and certificates is highly encouraged because then you stand a chance to compete for opportunities among your peers. That is why some parents sell everything and even take loans to see their children through school.
The increased lack of job opportunities has raised the question of the necessity of tertiary education because most graduates have ended up jobless or doing menial jobs just to make ends meet. Otherwise, most people still believe that education is an equalizer and will do whatever to see themselves and their children through school. A child making it through college or university in one piece is usually a source of pride to parents.
