Academic Spotlight Interview With Hikmah Olaitan Aderibigbe

Success stories often inspire admiration, but behind every achievement lies a journey filled with sacrifices, discipline, and resilience. In this edition of our Academic Spotlight Interview, we had a conversation with Hikmah Olaitan Aderibigbe, a distinguished Part 4 Linguistics student, two-time OAU Star Award recipient, and UNIFEMGA Scholarship beneficiary, as she shared insights into her academic journey, challenges, motivations, and the principles that continue to shape her success.

Hikmah Olaitan Aderibigbe is a remarkable Part 4 student of Linguistics in the Faculty of Arts whose academic excellence and dedication continue to inspire many students. As a two-time recipient of the OAU Star Award and a beneficiary of the prestigious UNIFEMGA Scholarship, she has distinguished herself through consistency, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to personal growth.

Beyond academics, Hikmah is also a student entrepreneur involved in the production and sale of liquid soap, while equally building her craft as a fashion designer. In this interview, she shares valuable insights into her academic journey, the challenges she has faced, the sacrifices behind her achievements, and the lessons she has learned along the way.

Now that we have gotten to know her better, let’s dive into the conversation and uncover the story behind her achievements.

Interviewer: Many students admire your achievements today, but they may not know the sacrifices behind them. What were the hardest moments in your academic journey, and how did you overcome them without giving up?

Ans: My most challenging period was during the first semester of my Part 3 year. At the time, I was trying to balance several responsibilities, including Madrasah, volunteering activities, An-Nuur, my business, and other commitments. Managing all these at once affected my academic performance to some extent.

I was able to overcome this challenge by understanding what worked best for me personally. Consistency also played a major role in my improvement, as I remained disciplined with my reading routine. I made it a habit to identify the difficult aspects of each course and study them intensively. In addition, I usually read ahead before classes to improve my assimilation and understanding whenever the lecturer taught in class. I also ensured that I properly understood previous lessons before moving on to new ones.

Interviewer: Being a multiple-time OAU Star Award recipient requires consistency, not just intelligence. What daily habits, systems, or routines helped you remain academically excellent over time?

Ans: I prepare for impromptu tests by studying regularly in order to avoid disappointing results. This is achieved by consistently reading and ensuring that I properly understand both what was taught in class and what I study personally.

Another important factor is being prayerful. I pray a lot and never joke with prayers.

Time management is also very essential for any student who wants to excel academically. As I mentioned earlier, I am involved in several activities, so effective time management, consistency, and being prayerful have greatly contributed to everything I have achieved so far.

In addition, attending tutorials has also helped me significantly. The MSSN tutorial program was particularly beneficial to me during my Part 1 days, and I have continued attending tutorials ever since. However, it is important for students to be mindful of the kind of tutorials they attend so they do not end up wasting valuable time.

Interviewer: University life comes with distractions, pressure, comparison, and sometimes spiritual decline. How were you able to balance academics, personal growth, and your relationship with Allah throughout your journey?

Ans: It is mainly about proper planning. I usually plan for each day either the night before or early in the morning, depending on how busy my schedule is. I also set targets for myself at the beginning of every semester and make conscious efforts to ensure that I remain on track.

Time management is equally very important. I also prioritize my activities because I believe I do not have to be everywhere or involved in everything. It is important for students to understand themselves and know whether they can effectively multitask before taking on too many responsibilities.

Most importantly, students should never put their academics in jeopardy in order to avoid future regrets.

Interviewer: What are some common mistakes you see students make academically in OAU, and what advice would you give someone who genuinely wants to stand out without burning out?

Ans: Students should stop skipping classes because there are many important things they can learn in class that will make personal reading and understanding much easier. In addition, students should avoid late preparation for tests and examinations in order to prevent studying under unnecessary pressure. By the night before an examination, the focus should be on revision rather than trying to cover the entire syllabus. It is better to cultivate the habit of reading daily or weekly and to study with pleasure rather than pressure.

Students should also be prayerful and learn to prioritize proper time planning. Group reading may not work for everyone, so students should understand what suits them best. Even when participating in group discussions or group reading, it is still important to maintain personal study time.

Lastly, students should ensure they get enough rest, as lack of adequate rest can negatively affect the brain and reduce academic performance.

Interviewer: If you could speak to your 100-level self again, knowing everything you know now, what would you say about success, purpose, friendships, and making the most of university life?

Ans: I do not really have many regrets about what I should have done differently. However, if there is anything I would say to my younger self, it would be: “Believe in yourself, remain serious, and continue doing the right things.”

Interviewer: What is one thing people assume about top students that is completely false?

Ans: People often assume that I read every day, but that is not entirely true. In fact, I cannot even read continuously for three hours without taking a break.

Interviewer: Do top students engage in other things aside from academics?

Ans: Yes, life is not all about reading books. I engage in a lot of other activities as well. I attend Madrasah classes, and volunteer. Interestingly, I also enjoy watching movies and usually keep up with the latest releases. However, during examination periods, I temporarily put these activities on hold to focus on my academics.

Interviewer: Before we conclude this interview, what message would you like to leave for students striving for academic excellence despite the challenges they may be facing?

Final Advice: My final advice to everyone is to believe in themselves and maintain a positive mindset. Students should avoid comparing themselves with others because everyone has their own unique journey and abilities. You are yourself, not someone else. Therefore, it is important to motivate yourself positively and never limit your potential.

Students should also avoid pessimistic people who constantly spread negative information about courses or lecturers — people who only talk about how others failed without mentioning that many people also succeeded. Constant exposure to such negativity can have a harmful influence on one’s mindset and academic performance.

Brought to you by the Academic Spotlight Team
A Subcommittee of The Academic Committee, MSSN OAU