I Locked Myself Out of Social Media to Graduate with First Class — OAU Applied Geophysics Graduate

Joy Osesanmi, a First-Class graduate of Applied Geophysics from Obafemi Awolowo University, has shared how extreme discipline, academic focus, and deliberate lifestyle choices helped her achieve outstanding academic success.

Speaking about the moment she saw her final result, Osesanmi described it as deeply fulfilling, saying it marked the culmination of years of resilience, growth, and self-belief. She confirmed that she graduated as the best student in the Department of Geology and set a new academic record in Applied Geophysics that had stood for more than a decade.

Osesanmi, a native of Ondo State and the only daughter in a family of four children, credited her upbringing for shaping her work ethic. Raised by a nurse mother and a non-civil servant father, she said she was taught the values of hard work, honesty, and discipline from an early age. At 23, she attributes much of her academic inspiration to her mother, whose commitment to continuous education left a lasting impression on her.

Her inclination toward science became evident during her primary school years. Although her initial ambition was to pursue a medical career, she found herself studying Applied Geophysics after missing the required cut-off. She admitted that she struggled emotionally at first, as the course was not her original choice, but gradually developed an appreciation for the discipline.

Obafemi Awolowo University was her first choice institution, largely due to its academic reputation. However, her first year proved challenging. She described the period as emotionally draining, worsened by the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon resumption, she hoped to change her course if she achieved excellent results, recording a 4.72 GPA in her first semester. Despite this, she was unable to transfer due to academic requirements and advice from her academic adviser, who recognized her potential and encouraged her to remain.

The setback affected her performance temporarily, as she diverted attention to rewriting UTME and post-UTME examinations. Missing the cut-off by a narrow margin resulted in her lowest undergraduate GPA. However, she regained focus and steadily rebuilt her academic standing.

Osesanmi noted that one of the biggest surprises at OAU was the entrepreneurial drive among students, many of whom combined academics with business ventures. She explained that she never failed any examination and maintained mostly A grades in her core courses, driven by a personal standard of excellence.

She admitted that the 300 level was particularly demanding, as she pursued perfect GPAs despite widespread skepticism. Encouraged by close friends and mentors, she achieved 5.0 GPAs across multiple semesters. Prayer, a small support circle, and educational podcasts helped her stay mentally resilient.

Her study routine was intense and highly structured. Lectures often ran from morning till evening, followed by overnight reading sessions on campus. To avoid procrastination, she deliberately created systems that forced consistency, including scheduled transportation that ensured she adhered strictly to her study plans.

Active reading played a major role in her success. She focused on solving past questions immediately after studying, testing recall daily, and expanding beyond lecture materials to deepen her understanding.

To eliminate distractions, Osesanmi completely disengaged from social media during academic sessions, uninstalling all platforms except WhatsApp for essential communication. She rarely watched movies and credited her supportive relationship and like-minded friends for keeping her focused.

Her academic excellence was built progressively. Although she did not start with a First Class CGPA, she attained it by her second year. She recorded perfect GPAs in her third year and concluded with strong final-year results, graduating with a cumulative GPA of 4.81.

She said her turning point came when someone challenged her to imagine what she could achieve with full effort, a statement that transformed her mindset. Motivation from family, friendly academic incentives, and a desire to make her mother proud further fueled her consistency.

Osesanmi made history as the first female First-Class graduate in Applied Geophysics at OAU and the first in over ten years. Her accolades include Best Graduating Student in Geology and Applied Geophysics, Best Final Year Student, subject prizes, and recognition for her final-year project. She also earned multiple academic and professional awards, presented papers at national conferences, and received sponsorships and honours for leadership and sports excellence.

She said the most important lesson from her university years was the belief that nothing is impossible with effort and discipline. Currently, she is seeking fully funded Master’s and PhD opportunities and looking forward to her NYSC placement.

Osesanmi expressed interest in combining industry practice with research, particularly in sustainable resource exploration and environmental protection. She emphasized the role of applied geophysics in responsible subsurface exploration, groundwater management, and cleaner energy solutions.

Advising students aspiring to graduate with First Class honours, she urged them to ignore limiting voices, commit fully to their goals, and understand that while grades open doors, skills sustain success.

She encouraged young girls not to fear science, advising them to identify what excites them about the field and consistently visualize themselves succeeding. According to her, confidence and persistence are built when the mind accepts possibility.

If she were not a geophysicist, Osesanmi said she would have pursued a career in financial or business analysis, potentially through an MBA, to develop leadership and strategic skills.