Extracurricular Activities Do Not Hinder Academic Success – UDUS First-Class Graduate

Muhammed Muhammed Nuhu’s path to graduating with a first-class degree in Biochemistry from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), wasn’t a mere stroke of luck, it was the result of hard work, determination, and overcoming the challenges that life threw his way.

A first-class degree isn’t something many expect in the competitive field of Biochemistry, but Muhammed, defying the odds, has proven that with focus, and the right mindset, anything is possible.

When asked why he chose UDUS over his home university, Unilorin, Muhammed smiled and explained, “Studying at UDUS wasn’t out of frustration or not gaining admission into Unilorin, but rather it was because I had spent all my time in Ilorin. I was ready to explore new horizons and experience something different.” Although his parents were initially hesitant due to the long distance and security concerns, they eventually gave in to his persuasive skills, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of his life.

However, the journey wasn’t all smooth sailing. Alongside the usual academic pressure, Muhammed had to deal with financial constraints, health issues, and the struggle of balancing freelancing jobs to support himself. But despite it all, he stayed focused on his goals. “At some point, I felt I could do things the way others were doing them—just enough to pass. But my mindset was different. I wanted to be the best, and I knew I had to push myself.”

Muhammed’s academic journey wasn’t without its struggles. In his second year, his CGPA dropped from 4.76 in UG1 to 4.64 in UG2. The main reason for this decline, he explained, was his involvement in freelancing. “In my second semester of UG2, I got too involved in freelancing work—writing research projects, assignments, and seminars for students in other Universities ,” he said. “That left me with little time to study, and the drop in my CGPA reflected that.”

But rather than letting this setback define him, Muhammed took it as a lesson and vowed to never let it happen again. In his third year, he made a conscious decision to cut out freelancing and some other activities. “I told myself I wouldn’t take on any freelance work or get involved in any activities that might distract me. It was tough, especially since it meant struggling to make ends meet. At one point, I even had trouble feeding myself,” he recalled. 

What helped him through this difficult period was the  support of his close circle of friends. “I had some amazing friends—Abdulrahman Abdulrauf, Abdulrahman Abdulraheem, Musa Sodiq Babatunde, Abdulhaqq, Faruq, and Abdulsalam. They were like family to me. They helped me in ways I can’t even express. Their support meant the world.”

However, health issues made it even harder. “My health wasn’t at its best, and balancing that with academic demands was incredibly challenging. The first semester of UG3 was tough,” he confessed.

Despite all these challenges, Muhammed’s story took a dramatic turn during his third year. After realizing that his academic focus had suffered in the previous year, he decided to double down on his studies. But even then, things didn’t always go as planned. “One of the most difficult moments was during an exam. I thought I had failed a particular course—CHM312. I was so disappointed in myself that I called my mum after the exam for her prayers,” he said. “But guess what? I ended up getting a B in that course, which I thought I had failed completely. That moment taught me that sometimes, we underestimate ourselves. I learned that if you work hard, you might surprise even yourself.”

He also recalled another difficult time when he didn’t perform as well as he expected in a test. “It was around 6 PM after a test, and I wasn’t happy with the test. I said to my friend, Sodiq, ‘I’m not going home today. I’m starting TDB (Till Day Break),’” referring to the study method he had dropped since his first year. That day marked a turning point, as he re-committed himself to his studies.

Soon after his 300 level exam, during the holiday Muhammed continued his freelancing work. He began receiving support again from his freelancing clients, which allowed him to get back on track financially. “It was like everything fell into place,” he said. “I started getting cash, and I could focus on my academics again. I was also able to re-engage in extracurricular activities.”

'' I  also  received a scholarship in my 400 level, Steve Eshiemogie scholarship, I was so happy to be among the four selected applicants among thousands of students that applied'' he added.

The culmination of all his hard work and sacrifices came when he saw his final results. “The day I saw my complete results, I was overwhelmed with happiness because I graduated with a solid 4.68 CGPA. To think that many had said it was impossible for anyone in Biochemistry to graduate with a first-class in over some years, thankfully, there have been some amazing and wonderful seniors who with their achievements falsified their claims. People like, Scholar Mashood, Scholar Haleemah Hamzat, Scholar Zainab, Scholar Abdulsomad (Adewealth) and many more, it felt like a personal victory,” he said. “But the real joy came when I saw the pride in my parents’ eyes. That moment made everything worth it.”

Muhammed’s success wasn’t just a victory for him; it was a win for the entire family. He became the fourth graduate in his family, and unlike his siblings, who all isgraduated with a 2:1, he broke the family’s academic record by achieving a first-class degree. “My parents sacrificed so much for me to get here. I always wanted to make them proud, and I’m glad I was able to do that.”

The Power of a Positive Mindset and Strong Friendships

Reflecting on the keys to his success, Muhammed emphasized the importance of mindset. “I’ve always believed that I could achieve great things in life. My father always told me, ‘Don’t just be part of the crowd; be among the best,’” he said. This mindset helped him stay focused and motivated, even during the toughest times.

Another factor that contributed to his success was the circle of friends he kept. “I surrounded myself with people who encouraged me to do better. I had friends who were motivators, reading partners, and philanthropists. They helped me stay on track and focused on my goals,” he said.

Setting goals and managing time effectively were also crucial for Muhammed. “Although I wasn’t always perfect at time management, I tried my best to stick to my reading schedules. One thing I always did was read ahead. I remember starting to read my UG3 courses immediately after finishing my UG2 exams,” he explained.

To current undergraduates, Muhammed’s advice is simple: “Always set clear goals. Never listen to rumors, and don’t underestimate your abilities. There were many rumors about how difficult it was to achieve a first-class, but I ignored them. I believed in myself, and that belief kept me going.”

He also shared a tip for fellow students: “If you’re the type to teach and help your classmates, you won’t have to spend much time studying before exams. Teaching reinforces what you know, and it will make your revision much easier.”

Life After UDUS: The Journey Continues

Post-graduation, Muhammed’s journey is far from over. “Life after graduation is tough, as expected, but I’m not going to stop exploring opportunities. I plan to further my studies in the field of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience by securing a PhD scholarship,” he said. “There’s still so much to learn and achieve.”

He also emphasized that extracurricular activities do not hinder academic excellence. In fact, they help build character and leadership skills. “I served as the welfare director of NSBS, financial secretary of NASS, co-founded BSF, and served as the campus director for the Millennium Fellowship Program. These roles helped shape who I am today,” he added."

By Abdulrahman Saheed