The Shutdown

After FG ordered schools to shut down in March due to the COVID19 pandemic, PAU switched to online classes and I have been at home ever since. It was a bit tricky initially but after we aired our grumbles, the school made efforts to make the transition easier for students. But I am still struggling with this new lifestyle. I am the sort who thrives in an academic environment where there are living, breathing people I can talk to, laugh with, throw jabs at and even irritate.

I miss the walks from my hostel to school and back. I miss some of my lecturers... eww right??... but I do. I even find myself smiling on occasion when I remember how I used to check the length / tightness of my clothes to avoid been sent back by the ‘uniform police’. I miss the troublesome undergraduates and the not-so-shocking stories I hear about them.

I never thought I’d miss my school, but I actually do.

Most of all, I miss my classmates. I miss my seatmate Folasade’s weird hand gestures - Ibukun’s red clothes - Pearl’s weird conversations during lunch - playing silly high school paper games with Moji - the shrieking way Mayokun calls my name - pissing Tolu off by yelling‘excuse me sir’ before her whenever she has a question - Nkechi’s questions that always start with ‘…I don’t know but I feel that…’ - Bolanle’s room - Koko’s stories - Tobi’s passionate arguments about Nigeria’s deplorable state - Mama T’s criticisms of everything lol - Lanre's fashion - Tega’s constant requests to fill surveys about Door Twenty Eight (her beauty business) - Favour’s announcements - Imaobong’s constant complain about my 'low-volume' voice - Samson shouting Babarimisa like he’s my father’s mate - Bimbo’s quiet demeanor (we all know you are mischievous btw) - Ife’s contagious mood…she is always so happy, ew - Jola's not-a-care-in-the-world strutting - Christi’s eccentric attitude….There was a time I saw Juliet standing in the hot sun, right outside her hostel, downloading a movie because the internet connection was poor in her room, when she could be doing something else...I don't know...maybe like sleeping???

And I'd been looking forward to when I would see them again but last week, we got a message that the virtual classes will continue till the end of this semester – our last semester. Meaning I may likely not see some of them again until graduation (that is, if there is a physical ceremony). I envy those who are able to resume to their normal routine after the lock down ease…

Anyways, I understand we have all had to make major adjustments in our lives because of the peculiar situation but a lot of people – friends, peers and social media acquaintances, appear to be just fine. I salute you all. I would appreciate tips on how you have been coping over the past couple of months because my strategies have been failing.