Writers 
The Reality of Being a Nigerian Student: Classes, Bills and Survival
Being a Nigerian student sounds simple until you actually become one.
People see you going to school, attending lectures and preparing for exams. What they don't always see is everything happening behind the scenes—the stress, the bills, the carryovers and the struggle to balance school with life.
For me, one of the biggest things school has taught me is confidence. You meet different people, speak in front of others and constantly find yourself in situations that push you out of your comfort zone. Little by little, you learn to speak up and believe in yourself.
But then comes the part nobody warns you enough about: carryover.
There is something about seeing a course you thought you had passed staring back at you again. 😭 It comes with disappointment, extra studying and, of course, more expenses.
And speaking of expenses, let's talk about billing.
Being a student can feel like having an invisible bill attached to everything you do. School fees, transportation, food, handouts, practical materials and unexpected expenses can finish your money before you even realize it. Saving money sometimes feels like a luxury.
Then there is the social life—or should I say, the lack of one?
Most of the time, I'm either in class or at clinical posting. When I'm finally free, I'm usually tired. So while other people are outside having fun, I'm somewhere thinking about the next class, assignment or posting.
Sometimes I honestly wonder, "When exactly am I supposed to enjoy being young?" 😂
When people ask what school has taught me outside academics, I sometimes don't even know what to say. Maybe I'm still figuring that part out.
There are also days when the pressure becomes overwhelming. You have assignments waiting, tests coming up, money to find and personal problems that don't disappear just because you have an exam tomorrow. Yet somehow, you still have to get out of bed, dress up and continue. That routine teaches you resilience in a way that no textbook can.
Sometimes, you may even look around and feel like everyone else has everything figured out while you're just trying to survive one week at a time. But the truth is, many students are dealing with their own struggles quietly. Everyone's journey looks different, and it's okay not to have everything figured out yet.
But one thing I do know now is that having a side hustle can make a huge difference.
It doesn't have to be something big. Writing, freelancing, selling products, tutoring or learning a useful skill can give a student another source of income and independence. Even starting small can teach you valuable lessons about money, discipline and responsibility.
So if I could give Nigerian students one piece of advice, it would be simple:
Go to school, get your degree, but don't depend on your degree alone. Learn a skill. Build something. Have a side hustle.
Because being a Nigerian student isn't just about passing exams.
It's about learning how to survive the bills, the stress, the disappointments and everything in between—and somehow still showing up the next day.
And honestly? Sometimes showing up is an achievement on its own. 😭❤️