Freshemen live in fool’s paradise

By Caleb Mutua

The University of Nairobi’s main campus continues to be a beehive of activity  as soon-to-be freshmen occupied the main lawns in efforts to fill in JAB forms.

They all seemed to be filling in the forms against the clock, exchanging pens and running in and out of tents like headless chicken. How I wished they would relax and stop acting like they had ants in their pants.

I’m sure that most of them have it all in their heads that life in campus is fun and so much freedom to enjoy. Yes, life in campus is really fun. However, there is a lot to think about at this level and perhaps the realization that campus is not a walk in the park might be a bitter pill for the freshmen to swallow in the near future.

Firstly, there is JAB selection to ponder. Choosing the course you would like to pursue is a case of any port in a storm; JAB gets to decide for you what you’ll do.

Then there is these new friends that they”ll have to make. During the orientation, they would be told to keep their friends at an arms length and always look at everyone with a hawk’s eye. My first year philosophy lecturer would always remind us that there is more to seeing than meets the eyeball!

I looked at another group posing for photographs at the Fountain of Knowledge and I smiled. While I must admit that they looked fresh and blossoming, I knew that assignments and boring lecturers would make some of their faces look like a bulldog chewing a wasp.

I took a turn and as I disappeared in one of the corridors, I took a good look at another group. Some looked lazy already, just from the way they stared at the passersby, while some looked determined to fight the uphill battle…I hope they make it to the finishing line.

First Published on 21st June 2011.