FUTO First-Class Graduate Reveals Daily Study Routine That Earned Him a 4.7 CGPA

Christopher Asor, a first-class graduate of Computer Science from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, has shared the inspiring story behind his academic excellence, detailing the discipline, sacrifices, and resilience that shaped his journey to graduating with a 4.7 CGPA.

Born and raised in Imo State, Asor spent his early years completing both his primary and secondary education within the state. Now 23 years old, he is the first of five children and credits his upbringing for laying the foundation for his values and work ethic.

According to him, his family played a crucial role in shaping his character. As his first point of socialisation, his parents instilled principles that guided his decisions long before he entered the university. While his ambitions evolved over time, the values he learned at home remained constant throughout his academic journey.

He explained that one of the most important lessons his parents taught him was understanding the responsibility that comes with freedom at the university level. Rather than seeing higher education as an opportunity for unchecked independence, he viewed it as a test of discipline and trust. This mindset, he said, motivated him to stay focused and intentional about his goals.

Time management, multitasking, and resourcefulness were among the key values he learned early in life, and he believes these skills played a significant role in his academic success.

Asor described his late father as the single biggest influence in his life. A lecturer himself, his father demanded excellence and instilled a strong sense of discipline in his children. Although he once perceived many of his father’s rules as strict, they became clearer and more meaningful after his passing in 2021.

He said his father taught him how to maximise every circumstance and never settle for mediocrity. That expectation of excellence became deeply ingrained in him and continued to push him throughout his university years.

Interestingly, Asor revealed that Computer Science was not his original career choice. He initially aspired to study Petrochemical Engineering, but his interest shifted after reading about software engineering and programming in a newspaper before his WAEC examinations. The idea of building solutions through technology fascinated him, and he became convinced that information technology was the future.

Despite initial reservations from his parents and concerns that Computer Science was not considered as prestigious as Engineering, Law, or Medicine at the time, he persisted. Even with a high post-UTME score of 307, he chose to follow his passion. Eventually, his parents supported his decision after understanding the growing importance and career potential of the tech industry.

His first year at the university was marked by a major personal setback. During his examinations, he lost his father after a prolonged illness. The emotional and financial impact significantly affected his academic performance, making that period one of the most difficult moments of his life.

Reflecting on his academic turnaround, Asor explained that after his father’s death, he had to learn digital skills to support himself financially. Balancing work and studies was challenging, and for a time, graduating with a first-class degree seemed unrealistic.

However, encouragement from his class adviser, Dr Francisca Nwokoma, became a turning point. What began as a light-hearted challenge to achieve a 5.0 GPA motivated him to completely change his academic approach. With guidance from senior colleagues who had achieved perfect GPAs, he adopted better study habits, improved time management, and developed a competitive mindset toward his academics.

After achieving a 5.0 GPA for the first time, his confidence grew. He realised that consistency was possible, and from that point onward, he maintained strong academic performance until graduation.

To manage his demanding schedule, Asor adopted a strict study routine. As a course representative with multiple responsibilities and a freelance designer working to sustain himself, he committed to studying daily from 3am to 6am. These early morning hours, he said, allowed for deep concentration and effective learning.

He also made it a rule to stop all work-related activities at least two weeks before examinations. On one occasion, he declined a lucrative UI and UX design job just days before his exams, choosing academic excellence over short-term financial gain.

One of the most effective study strategies he used involved creating personalised notes that combined lecture materials, additional resources, and past questions. Writing these notes in his own words made revision easier and improved retention. He also emphasised the importance of attending lectures consistently, noting that concepts learned directly in class were easier to remember during examinations.

Balancing academics with extracurricular activities required clear prioritisation. He avoided activities that added no value to his growth while carefully selecting conferences, workshops, and student leadership roles that aligned with his goals. He believes maintaining a healthy social life alongside academics is essential for long-term personal development.

Asor admitted that there were moments when he felt like giving up, particularly after losing his father. He described that period as both emotionally and financially overwhelming. Support from friends and family helped him push through, and he advises students facing similar challenges to always speak to someone rather than suffer in silence.

Maintaining academic excellence came with sacrifices. He explained that he had to forgo much of the typical campus lifestyle and delay skill development outside academics. While it was difficult watching peers focus on work and appear more financially stable, he believed prioritising his degree was a necessary investment.

Among his proudest achievements at FUTO were serving as course representative from 100 to 500 level, acting as ISEC secretary during his faculty elections, and receiving an award as the best course representative in his faculty. Graduating with a first-class degree, he said, was the ultimate personal validation of his efforts.

Seeing his final results was an emotional moment filled with pride and relief. He graduated with a CGPA of 4.7, a result he described as proof that disciplined effort yields results.

Looking ahead, Asor plans to apply his Computer Science knowledge to building products that solve real problems and create opportunities. He is particularly interested in design, product development, management, and content creation across both Web2 and Web3 ecosystems.

For students aspiring to graduate with first-class honours, he advises clarity of purpose, discipline, and consistency. He encourages students to set clear semester goals, surround themselves with like-minded peers, and always prioritise academics amid inevitable distractions.

Reflecting on his journey, he noted that he would have started working intentionally toward a high CGPA from his first year if given another chance. Early planning, he said, reduces pressure and allows students to shape their academic outcomes more effectively.

Asor believes his experience at FUTO shaped his worldview and career ambitions. The institution, he said, instilled character, resilience, and a strong belief that greatness can emerge from humble beginnings. Exposure to technology-driven education, workshops, and alumni success stories reinforced his desire to use technology to drive impact.

He officially graduated on December 5, 2025, and plans to continue building skills, developing innovative products, and contributing value to society through technology and creative problem-solving.