Joining University is one of the many stages of life that is eagerly anticipated with beautiful and wild imagination by those that haven’t been there yet.

The memories of the many beatings and restrictions during the many years of primary school, excitement of leaving high school feels like a captive being set free.

The thought of having no more curfews and getting grounded by parents over petty issues is so thrilling.

A new life away from parents, dormitory wardens, means total independence and a new exciting life full of adventure and the long awaited experiences. 

It is one stage we all anxiously look forward to until reality hits is in the face the moment we join University.

Maureen Kayesu, a second year student at School of Finance and Banking shares her escapades of her first year at University.

"My excitement reached its height while we were doing our final high school exams. My friends and I talked about university all the time. We shared about all the fascinating stories that we had heard about campus life,” she said.

Kayesu says she had always loved partying and dancing but her parents would never let the leash off her. She promised herself that she would make up for all the time she hadn’t partied.

"I couldn’t wait to have all the fun in the world. I started shopping for campus early in my vacation. Unlike in high school, I couldn’t wait for the day we were supposed to report to University.

"I would fake sickness and all sorts of excuses whenever it was time to report back to high school but here I was, impatiently counting down days to join University,” narrates Kayesu.

She says that the day she had longed for finally came. It felt so good to be away from the countless rules at home.

"Unfortunately, I did not know any student. I didn’t find any former classmates at campus. Students weren’t friendly. Some behaved snobbishly and thought of themselves better than the rest,”Kayesu recalls.

She says that she made friends after a long while. She was staying in a hostel and paying her own tuition fees. She had never had such a responsibility before and so she did not really plan for the money.

Kayesu had worked during her vacation and saved an ample sum of money for her tuition.

"I had a lot of change after paying my tuition. I partied like hell, took my friends out and before I knew it, I was broke. My so called friends couldn’t help.

I had lost concentration at school so I didn’t perform well in some of my course work assignments and exams,” Kayesu explains.

She says that in the end, she grew up and started to plan for her money and find enough time for her academids.

"The excitement of joining campus ceased when I was winding up my first year. I stopped partying and only went out when necessary,” she said.

"It was a great experience with so many lessons. It didn’t turn out as I had expected for the most part. There is a lot of discipline and self control needed to successfully go through your first year at campus,” adds Kayesu.

m.kaitesi@yahoo.com