My First Day at a Nigerian University

Genre: Non-Fiction (Personal Narrative / Memoir)

Theme: Culture shock, personal growth, reality of student life

I remember the heat.

That sharp, unforgiving sun of Calabar that welcomed me on my first day at university.

I was carrying two Ghana-must-go bags, sweating through my “Welcome to UNICAL” shirt, and trying to look confident even though my heart was thumping.

The campus was massive.

I asked three people for directions to my hostel — and all three gave me different answers.

That was the first lesson I learned:

In Nigerian universities, confusion is part of the culture.

The hostel wasn’t what I expected.

Two bunk beds, cracked walls, and one fan struggling to rotate.

Still, I was grateful. At least I didn’t get “squatting status.”

Later that night, I met my roommates—Chidi, who snored like a trailer, and Musa, who prayed at 5am sharp with no apology.

By the end of that first week, I had learned:

Never trust the school calendar. Lectures can start or disappear anytime.

Registering for courses requires prayer, patience, and luck.

Garri is not a snack; it’s a survival plan.

And no matter how old you are, the first time your name appears on the matric list, you’ll feel like you’ve made it.

Final Reflection:

That first day felt like chaos.

But looking back, it was the start of becoming more independent, resourceful, and patient.

That’s what real life does—it doesn’t always prepare you, but it grows you.

What makes this non-fiction?

✅ It’s based on true events

✅ It includes real places (University of Calabar)

✅ It shares actual experiences and observations

✅ It teaches a lesson from life