At just 19, Precious Ataro shines as a First Class graduate in Mass Communication from Babcock University. Admitted into the university at the tender age of 15, she navigated the pressures of early adulthood and academic rigour with unwavering discipline, consistency, and self-belief. In this interview with TEMITOPE ADETUNJI, Precious opens up about her journey, sharing the lessons she learned, the challenges she has overcome, and the values that continue to shape her life choices
How old were you when you gained admission to the university?
I’m a writer and studied Mass Communication at Babcock University. I was 15 when I gained admission. My set was the post-COVID intake, so things were quite different. Although I was admitted in 2021, I officially resumed in January 2022. I’m 19 years old now.
Tell us a little about your family background
I’m from Delta State. I attended a private secondary school, and one thing I can say is that my father has always been very keen on giving us the best education. However, my parents never pressured us excessively about academic performance.
They didn’t insist that we must come first, second, or third in class. Their expectation was simply that we should maintain results above average.
So, much of my drive for academic excellence came from within. When I saw other students striving and excelling, I challenged myself to do the same. I must also add that sometimes, the recognition and validation given to high-performing students motivated me to push myself further.
Looking back at your upbringing, were there early signs that you would grow to become academically outstanding?
Honestly, not at the very beginning. In nursery and early primary school, I wasn’t among the top one per cent in my class. But I started improving around Primary One and Two. I still remember scoring 90 per cent for the first time in Primary Two. I was so excited because before then, my results were mostly between 70 and 80. That achievement motivated me to keep pushing myself.
In secondary school, the competition became tougher. From JSS1 to JSS3, I was above average but not among the top performers. Things changed when I specialised as an arts student. I realised my strength and passion were in subjects like English, Literature, and Government. From then on, my performance significantly improved.
Why did you choose Mass Communication as your course of study? Was it because you had already discovered your strengths in secondary school?
Choosing a career path was confusing at first. Initially, I wanted to study Literature because of my love for English and writing. But I had to consider career prospects, especially within the Nigerian context.
When I reflected on my interests, two things kept recurring: writing and speaking. I was also very active in the press club and other extracurricular activities that helped me identify my strengths. Combining my passion for writing and speaking, Mass Communication seemed like the right fit.
What motivated you to choose Babcock University in particular?
Honestly, Babcock wasn’t my first choice. It was more of a backup option. My father encouraged me to select a private university as an alternative, so I included Babcock. At the time, I had just finished secondary school at 15, and federal universities seemed uncertain due to frequent strikes and delays.
I also had a family friend who was studying at Babcock, so I reached out to her for more information. Considering Nigeria’s educational challenges, I realised a private university would give me stability and help me graduate on time. That was a major factor in my decision to attend Babcock.
What does graduating with a first-class degree mean to you personally and to your family?
For me, graduating with a first class, 4.69 out of 5.0, is proof of my dedication to excellence. I always say that first class is not an end in itself, but it’s something every student should aspire to. It shows that over your years in school, whether four, five, or six, you were consistent, disciplined, and fully committed to your primary assignment, which is studying.
So, to me, a first class means people can trust that I will deliver excellence. From my 200 level, I made up my mind that I must graduate with a first class. I was also encouraged by lecturers who often said first-class graduates have an advantage when it comes to opportunities. But beyond that external motivation, it was personal. I wanted to prove to myself that I could commit to excellence and achieve it.
Many students struggle with consistency. What strategies or habits helped you sustain academic excellence?
Discipline is tough, but possible with the right environment. The people you surround yourself with matter a lot. My close circle of friends also graduated with first class and seeing them work hard pushed me to do the same.
My strategy was simple: desire it, decide on it, and then discipline yourself. That meant being present in class, asking questions, submitting assignments on time, and studying consistently.
I believe lecturers give you only about 40 to 60 per cent of what you need; the rest is up to you. I studied daily, not always intensely, but I reviewed my notes every day. On weekends, I tested myself to recall what I’d learnt. This helped me avoid the stress of cramming before exams.
I also learnt to study lecturers’ patterns. Every lecturer has a style. By asking senior students and reviewing past questions, I identified trends. Paying attention to topics lecturers emphasised in class also gave me clues about likely exam questions.
How did you balance academics with social life, extracurriculars, and personal growth?
In my 100-level, I wasn’t very socially active. My life was basically class, church, and hostel. Looking back, I regret that, because university isn’t just academics, it’s also about building networks.
In my 300-level, I became more active. I joined a theatre group on campus, which was demanding; sometimes rehearsals lasted four to eight hours. As part of the executive team, I had even more responsibility. Balancing that with academics was tough, but scheduling helped. I outlined daily tasks and gave each a time slot. When I was at rehearsals, I focused fully on that. When it was time to study, I gave my all. That discipline helped me manage both.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced at Babcock?
Two stand out. First, issues with results. Twice, I got grades that didn’t reflect my performance. Thankfully, the system allowed me to meet the lecturers, and corrections were made, but at the time, I was really worried that my efforts might be wasted.
The second was in my final year. Writing my project was extremely demanding. It was tempting to neglect other courses, but I had to discipline myself. I often woke up as early as 4 a.m. to research and write while still keeping up with my coursework. It was exhausting, but structure and discipline helped me pull through.
What aspects of Mass Communication excited you the most?
I majored in Broadcasting. I loved scriptwriting, reporting, and news presentation. I also enjoyed the creative process of developing scripts and producing content.
Did you have lecturers, mentors, or colleagues who strongly influenced your journey?
es, definitely. Dr Ajibade, an Accounting lecturer, inspired me through chapel services. He often shared stories of students who graduated with first-class. One of his quotes became my mantra: “Human effort plus divine power equals success.”
Another was my project supervisor, Dr Akintayo Babafemi. I had heard many difficult stories about supervisors, so I was initially scared. But he was patient, intentional, and encouraging. With his guidance, I achieved a perfect GPA in my final semester.
I must also mention the director of the theatre group, Mr Ayodeji. As a scriptwriter and creative director, he gave me practical exposure to what I was learning. Overall, my lecturers were approachable and supportive, which made a huge difference.
What misconceptions do people have about first-class graduates?
A common one is: “It’s not by first class.” People say you can graduate with a lower grade and still be more successful than someone with a first class.
While partly true, success isn’t determined solely by grades, I think it undermines the value of a first class.
Graduating with a first class requires sacrifice, consistency, and discipline. It proves that when given bigger responsibilities, such a person can deliver. Dismissing it can discourage students from striving for excellence. Instead, students should be encouraged to aim high.
What advice would you give students aspiring to graduate with a first class but struggling to find their footing?
Discipline is key. If you’re not willing to go the extra mile, you won’t achieve extraordinary results. Be ready to study harder than others.
Also, know your learning pattern; are you a morning or night reader? Identify what works best and build on it. Academic excellence is also about little things: being present in class, asking questions, and engaging actively. Those small habits compound over time. Eventually, they determine whether you graduate with a first class or not.
What’s next for you?
I plan to apply to opportunities that align with my interests and also create some time for myself. I love writing, so I want to set personal goals and grow further before continuing with postgraduate studies.
What was your parents’ reaction when you graduated with a first class?
They were very happy and proud. I think they had always expected it, so they weren’t surprised, but were genuinely proud.
How do you plan to use your degree to make an impact in Nigeria and beyond?
Impact doesn’t have to be grand; it starts with small, consistent actions. I love writing and aspire to make films someday. For now, I want to consistently share value through writing, social media, and other platforms. Over time, those efforts will grow into a bigger impact.
What values will you carry forward into your professional life?
Excellence, teamwork, and a constant readiness to learn.
Credit: Punchng
