Fareedah Adeowu Achieves First Class at Nigerian Law School, an Unforeseen Journey

Fareedah Adedoyin Adeowu, a graduate of Common and Islamic Law from the University of Ilorin, has recently concluded her studies at the Nigerian Law School, Kano, with a First Class degree. This achievement was not her initial goal; her sights were set on a 2.1, as she believed a First Class was reserved for exceptionally bright individuals. Her aspiration for a strong grade was solidified by observing the results of senior students, many of whom achieved 2.1s.

Initially hoping to be posted to the Abuja campus to be with friends, Fareedah was disappointed to be assigned to the Kano campus. However, she found solace in the belief that there was a divine plan, despite having actively prayed against that specific posting. The Kano campus, which she had earnestly sought to avoid, became her educational setting.

Preparing for law school involved significant expenditure, with Fareedah emptying her father's account to purchase provisions, snacks, and new clothing. Her journey to Kano by bus lasted nearly 21 hours, an experience she documented through photos of the passing scenery. Upon arrival, she faced swollen feet, making it difficult to wear her shoes. Her registration process was largely smooth, with a notable exception: she had forgotten her chest X-ray, a required document for clinic registration. Miraculously, she was not asked for it during her registration.

During the doctor's evaluation, which typically involved reviewing the X-ray, she again encountered a situation where the document was not requested, leading her to believe these were instances of divine favor.

Her academic routine in Kano typically began with attending classes starting at 9 AM. Fareedah, preferring the back of the class, would wake for Fajr prayers, rest, and then prepare for class, ensuring she was present for the attendance thumbprint by 7 AM. She found law school demanding, filled with continuous classes, group meetings, and trips to Maami Market for meals.

Her eating habits changed in law school, with a preference for convenient meals like noodles and egg, or rice and beans. While she didn't form many friendships, the few she made early on were invaluable. She often subsisted on cereals and garri, and during breaks, she would have a sachet of yoghurt and chinchin.

Fareedah found traditional note-taking difficult due to time constraints. As she preferred handwritten notes, she developed a system of condensing her study materials. She compiled notes from slides and PDF resources provided by peers like Badmus and Mayowa, dedicating her nights to completing these notes the evening before each class. This ensured that by the time a topic was discussed in class, it was already familiar, allowing her to focus on listening, verifying her notes, and adding new information.

Despite her rigorous note-taking schedule, she prioritized sleep, taking at least an hour-long siesta after class and consistently observing Maghrib prayers. This routine helped her stay alert during lectures, with rare instances of dozing off occurring only during pre-class tasks. She managed her group task preparation by reviewing the course outline to anticipate potential questions.

Her seating arrangement, a single seat by the window overlooking a lake, inadvertently promoted attentiveness, as she had no friends beside her and was motivated to listen. She became a source of tips and information for her classmates based on her classroom observations.

Recognizing her phone as a distraction, Fareedah adopted a strategy of leaving it in her hostel while reading, often in the mosque during the day. She would return in the evening after Maghrib or Ishai prayers. If she read in her room, she would leave her phone with a friend to maintain focus.

She made an effort to memorize cases, believing it could earn extra marks. During exams, she would mentally recite rules and exceptions to ensure accuracy. She also practiced the recall method, reviewing her day's learning before sleeping. Engaging with roommates in daily quizzing also helped solidify her understanding.

Daily moments of self-doubt were common, especially during pre-class tasks, given her inherent lack of self-confidence. During exams, she managed minimal sleep, often returning to her room around 3 AM for just 50 minutes of rest before resuming her studies. She experienced malaria once and suffered from recurring headaches, fearing a relapse.

Fareedah avoids calling her First Class achievement a "dream come true," considering it cliché. She admits to having previously told friends that her brain couldn't handle the thought of a First Class, often defaulting to a 2.1 mindset when contemplating it.

Reflecting on her First Class graduation, she describes it as blissful. She encourages future bar aspirants to set a First Class as their goal, emphasizing that dedication and hard work are key. She found inspiration in the success of seniors, believing that if they could achieve it, so could she. She attributes her success not to innate genius but to consistent effort and a desire for her hard work to be acknowledged, avoiding sympathetic reactions.

The academic validation of a First Class, she notes, is a profoundly sweet experience. Interestingly, she gained weight during her time in law school, which she initially linked to not studying enough. Some of her dresses became tight, and people commented on her fuller cheeks, attributing it to a relaxed law school experience, though she asserts it was a period of intense effort.

She humorously notes her weight gain and physical changes, concluding with a question about the identity of the NLS First-Class graduate with prominent cheeks.