Campus life—just thinking about it brings a joy to my heart. Writing about this campus edition is truly exciting for me. Campus life is a time full of endless possibilities.
If you’re like me, you might have selected the hardest course—maybe to prove a point to others or just because you could (thanks to your grades). If you’re in a country like Kenya, chances are that as you prepared to enroll in campus, you had already applied for a national ID because, well, you were of age and could.
Campus Life Offers Endless Opportunities
As a high school graduate looking ahead to joining campus, the future feels bright and full of possibilities.
Meeting New Friends
One of the most exciting aspects of campus is meeting new people. If you chose a university far from home, you get to live on your own for the first time. If you decide not to have a roommate, you’ll need to learn the art of budgeting, meal planning, and navigating independence from scratch.
The Campus Edition
In this edition, I’ll be vulnerable enough to share my personal campus journey—my pitfalls, mistakes, regrets, joys, and more.
My Campus Story
I was the first person in my family to go to campus, and you can imagine the pressure that came with such a privilege. My mum and uncle accompanied me to school, and we arrived at around 3 a.m. My uncle registered me, gave me a pep talk, and left me in my mum’s care to finish the rest of the process.
Luckily, I got a room on campus, shared with four other freshers (first-year students). Those were good times! I remember my registration process was so hectic that I lost my ID. You can imagine the embarrassment of hearing your name called in the middle of thousands of students to go and collect it.
Joining the Christian Union
The Christian Union (CU) had strategically placed a table just before the entrance. A smiling lady seated there took my details and said something along the lines of, “Don’t get lost.” Little did I know she would later become a dear friend, and our friendship has lasted nearly a decade.
I joined the CU and became very vibrant, taking on leadership roles, accepting some, and declining others. The CU became my family, even beyond campus. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to join a fellowship group like the CU.
It’s a place to grow spiritually, make lifelong friends, and discover your talents. I joined the praise and worship team and eventually became its leader—a role that stretched and grew me in many ways.
Academics
I went to campus to study a BSc. in Mathematics and Computer Science (I’m laughing because I never practiced it in the marketplace and don’t think I ever will, even in my next life!). I almost quit the course until God confirmed it by allowing me to be selected as the class representative. I made great friends along the way, and, somehow, those four years flew by.
Lessons from Campus Life
1. You’re a Student First
Campus extracurricular activities, even good ones like Christian Union, can distract you from the real reason you’re there—to study. Always remember your priority is your academics. If you don’t fulfill that purpose, you might end up going home sooner than expected.
2. You Came to Campus Alone, and You’ll Leave Alone
Being in a new environment with peers your age can create pressure to fit in. I saw peer pressure transform students into versions of themselves they wouldn’t recognize. Some indulged in drugs and alcohol, not because they wanted to, but because they sought approval from others. Don’t fall into that trap.
3. Financial Capacities Vary
I can’t recall the exact amount of money my mum left me when I started, but I know it wasn’t much. That’s why we made sure to get a room in the hostels—it was cheaper.
Meanwhile, some students lived in one-bedroom apartments, had all the latest electronics, and even owned printers. I saw people strain to fit into cliques that were clearly out of their financial league, and the stress was evident on their faces.
4. Relationships Can Make or Break You
For those who attended an all-girls secondary school, campus is where you’ll interact with many men. These men are intelligent, wise, and, let’s be honest, good-looking. Some friendships or relationships with them could define your life.
However, I saw many cases where relationships caused heartbreak, academic failure, and even trauma. Some students deferred their studies, while others made decisions like cohabiting or abortion, which left lasting scars.
5. Your Husband Might Not Be in Campus
Campus is often seen as a place where love blossoms, and I’ve attended many weddings of campus sweethearts. However, not every relationship will work out, and that’s okay.
Don’t force the wrong fit out of fear that you won’t find someone after campus. Trust that if your future spouse is meant to cross your path, it will happen in God’s timing.
Campus Life is Just a Drop in the Ocean
I know it might feel like nothing can top campus life, but I promise you that the best is yet to come.
So, relax. Live freely. Make mistakes—but I hope they won’t be terminal. Count your days and make them count because they’ll fly by in just four short years.
With love,
Your NOT-SO-BIG Sis