By
Maryam Ilyas
Sharon had always been a dedicated student, but nothing could have prepared her for the final year. One evening, she sat at her desk, staring at a blank Word document on her laptop. Her final-year project deadline was approaching fast, but her mind was filled with stress. A pile of unread textbooks sat beside her, and her phone vibrated with messages from classmates panicking about an upcoming exam. With a deep sigh, she whispered to herself, “How am I supposed to get through this?” For students like Sharon, the final year of university is meant to be a time of excitement and preparation, but instead, it’s filled with stress, pressure, and uncertainty.
The workload in the final year can be overwhelming. Between attending lectures and working on a final-year project, many students find themselves battling time. Some even sacrifice sleep just to meet deadlines.
Feyintola Adeyemo, a final-year student of Mass Communication, describes her struggle: “I’m always trying to do one thing, and before I even finish, another thing comes up. Once I think I can finally rest, there’s something else demanding my attention. My project, my assignments, deadlines. It just never stops.”
Beyond project work, assignments for other courses pile up, requiring students to leave campus
for research. “This semester alone, I’ve had to go out of school four or five times just to do assignments, and sometimes, I don’t even find the people I need to interview. That means going back again another day,” she explains. The pressure can be mentally draining. “Sometimes, I break down and ask myself, ‘Why did I even come to school?’ It’s that stressful, especially in a department like Mass Communication, where we constantly have practical assignments outsidethe classroom.”
Feyintola, a final year Mass Communication student
The stress of final year often leads to emotional breakdowns. The fear of not meeting expectations, the pressure to graduate with a good grade, and the anxiety of what comes next can take a toll on students’ mental health. Mariam Kewulere, a final-year student of Public Health, shares her experience: “The pressure of final year has really affected my mental health. I’ve experienced more anxiety, stress, and self-doubt than ever before. Sometimes, I don’t even get enough sleep because I’m constantly thinking about assignments, exams, and my project.”
To cope with the emotional burden, she tries to find moments of relief. “When I feel overwhelmed, I take a step back and remind myself that it’s okay not to have everything figured out. I reach out to my mom and siblings because they always know how to make me laugh and forget my stress for a while,” she said. Despite these challenges, the fear of not meeting expectations remains a major concern. “I’ve set high standards for myself, and sometimes, I worry about not achieving my goals. More than anything, I don’t want to disappoint my family because they’ve supported me throughout this journey,” she admitted.
Mariam, a final year student of public health
For many final-year students, the emotional weight of these challenges is just as demanding as the academic workload. However, by seeking support and finding small ways to ease their stress, they continue pushing forward, hoping for a rewarding future.
Final-year expenses are higher than most students expect. From project printing costs to extra transportation fees and job applications, the financial burden increases. Some students take up part-time jobs or side hustles to keep up. Elijah Samuel, a Nigerian student schooling in Togo, describes his situation: “Compared to my previous years in school, paying bills and feeding was never a problem. But now, it’s a headache.” He explains how tuition fees skyrocketed: “My school fees increased from 200,000 Naira to 740,000 CFA. Just as I was thinking of how to handle that, we were told to pay an additional administrative fee. What exactly are they administrating?”
On top of that, final-year students were required to buy a textbook related to their course for the school library, donate a pack of A4 paper, and provide a flash drive for project documentation. All expenses were to be covered in CFA, where 1,000 Naira equals only 380 CFA. “And then, out of nowhere, we were asked to pay for an orientation trip—to learn about a country we have already been living in for years. The fee? 200,000 Naira. From where?” he questioned. Feeding himself in the midst of these expenses has been another challenge. “The most painful part is that we collect money from our parents in Naira and convert it to CFA, but we can’t even tell them the money they’re sending isn’t enough,” he admitted.
To make ends meet, Elijah took on different jobs. “I started exchanging money from Naira to CFA, working at a magazine company, and even doing MC jobs for schools and events. The pay wasn’t worth the effort, but I had no choice.” Reflecting on his experience, he concluded, “If I were to rate how expensive schooling in Togo is, it would be 1000/10. But what can I say? Absolutely nothing.”
Elijah, a nigerian final year student in Togo
As graduation approaches, the reality of finding a job sets in. Many students worry about employment, especially with the current state of the economy. The pressure to have a plan before leaving school adds to their anxiety. Florida, a Mass Communication student at Adeleke University, Osogbo, shares her struggle: “Yes, I have begun my job search, primarily focusing on remote positions through LinkedIn. The process has been challenging as I’m competing with many other applicants while still being a student.” One major challenge is the requirement for work experience. “Most positions ask for one to two years of experience, which I don’t have as an undergraduate. Also, about 70% of the applicants have already graduated, so they have an advantage,” she explains.
A masscommunication student at Adeleke University, Ede
Finding remote jobs is also difficult in her country, limiting her options. “I recently came close to securing a position, but the company couldn’t proceed with my application since I haven’t graduated yet,” she adds. To improve her chances, Florida has been taking online courses to meet job requirements. However, she admits that despite her efforts, securing a position before graduation remains tough.
Career experts advise students to start networking early, seek internships, and develop skills that can make them stand out in the job market. For many students, joining the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) brings mixed feelings. While it offers a chance to learn new things and grow, the uncertainty of life after NYSC can be a bit scary.
When asked about the upcoming NYSC program, a final-year student had mixed feelings. “I wouldn’t say I’m not looking forward to it, but I can’t say I’m entirely excited either,” she said. While she sees NYSC as a chance for new experiences, personal growth, and serving the nation, her mind is mostly occupied with what comes after. When it comes to her preferred state for NYSC, she hopes to be posted to a place she has never been before. “I’ve only visited three out of the 36 states in the country, so there are still many possibilities open to me,” she said. While eager to explore new places and experience different cultures, she prefers not to be sent to a completely unfamiliar environment. “Ideally, I would like a balance. Somewhere new yet somewhat familiar, either through recommendations, research, or indirect connections,” she added.
Despite all the challenges, final-year students keep moving forward. They lean on their friends, find support wherever they can, and remind themselves why they started. Even though the journey is hard, many believe that all the struggles will be worth it in the end. Support is also important. Muiz shared how his “parents and colleagues” helped him through tough times, giving him advice and working with him on projects. His friends “often helped and motivated me when things got tough.” To stay on track, Muiz uses “strict time management.” He said, “I try to prioritize my tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed. And sometimes, when I feel stuck, I take a break.”
He also offered advice to other students: “Be organized and start early. Don’t wait for deadlines to pile up. Work consistently because this is your final year; any slip-up could harm your CGPA. You’ve come this far, so why not give it your all?”
Experts recommend that final-year students adopt practical strategies to manage the pressures associated with their final academic year. According to Mr. David, a student counselor, “The key is maintaining a balanced schedule. Students should prioritize tasks, set realistic goals, and include breaks to prevent burnout. Mental health is just as important as academic performance.”
As the saying goes, “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” For every final-year student, this is the hope that the stress, sleepless nights, and sacrifices will lead to a future filled with success and fulfillment.
Maryam Ilyas is a 400 level student of Mass Communication, Fountain University, Osogbo.
