Dr. Oyatoye Aisha is a paragon of academic excellence and exceptional dedication. Her academic journey culminated in a remarkable achievement, securing six distinctions, with a record-breaking four out of four possible distinctions in her final year alone.
This outstanding performance not only underscores her profound intellectual capabilities but also sets a gold standard for academic excellence within her field.
Throughout her time as a student, Dr Oyatoye demonstrated an extraordinary aptitude for her academics, coupled with an unyielding commitment to her studies. Her consistent excellence reflects a deep-seated passion and an innate ability to master complex concepts and procedures.
Her achievements are not merely a testament to her hard work but also an indicator of her natural intelligence and academic prowess.
In addition to her academic accolades, Dr. Oyatoye earned the distinct award of being the second-best graduating student among her peers. This honor further solidifies her status as one of the exceptional students in her cohort.
Her success serves as an inspiring benchmark for her junior colleagues, setting a high bar for future generations of Veterinary Medical students.
The Editorial board was privileged to speak with the academic trailblazer whose accomplishments are nothing short of groundbreaking.
In this interview , we will uncover the remarkable journey that led to her extraordinary success and gain insights into the passion and perseverance that have driven her to the pinnacle of her academic career.
Reflecting on your outstanding academic performance, what strategies did you find most effective in preparing for your exams?
I think the most important thing is to know what works for you. For instance, I knew that if I don’t go for classes, I might not really get what is being taught even if I got the course materials, so I wasn’t going to class because of 75% attendance, I was going because I really wanted to.
I also know that I am not a night person. I sleep off whenever I plan to read overnight but due to our tight schedule as Vet students, I try to read at night and very early in the morning, except for our usual overnight group discussion or tutorials. So, like I said earlier, discover yourself and know what works for you.
What motivated you to strive for outstanding academic excellence in your final year?
I actually have someone who I look up to, she graduated some years ago, and what she does is what I’ve always wanted to do. Each time I realize I’m losing focus, I look through her profile and the drive is back. Maybe it’s safe to say I’m following her footsteps.
For me, distinctions aside, Vet school was very challenging but I was blessed to have the best discussion group. Every member of the group contributed to ensure our success in Vet school.
Did you set specific academic goals each semester, did you set the goal of getting 4 distinctions out of a possible 4 in the DVM Part III examinations? How did you track your progress towards achieving these goals?
No, my only goal was that I wanted to pass all the exams and I was reading to pass. Even before now, the distinctions I had weren’t because I prepared myself to have distinctions as a must, but rather, I took every exams (even end of module exams) as though I was writing DVM part exams.
Can you describe a time when you faced a significant academic or personal challenge? How did you overcome it, and what did you learn from the experience?
Yes, that was my first semester in paraclinical phase. At that time, I had some personal issues and my attention was divided. Eventually, I didn’t do well in the first end of module tests especially in Veterinary Parasitology. That was when I decided to start putting in my best and work a little harder than I used to.
Maintaining academic excellence can be demanding. How do you prioritize self-care and mental well-being alongside your studies?
Balancing academics and well-being is indeed challenging but I prioritize self-care by establishing a structured routine that includes regular breaks and relaxation. I’m not really an outgoing person, but I prioritize my sleep. I also stay connected with my friends for support.
Are there specific activities or routines outside of veterinary medicine that you find crucial for maintaining balance and resilience?
For me, catching up with friends and family does the trick. I feel relaxed and confident when I talk or meet with my friends or family. Whenever everything feels overwhelming and I talk about it, I’m fine and I can concentrate again.
As you look forward to your career, what specific areas of veterinary medicine are you most passionate about exploring?
I am open to exploring any field in Veterinary Medicine, and there are quite a lot of them. The field that I am most looking forward to exploring opportunities in, is Veterinary Diagnostics.
What practical advice would you give to veterinary students striving to replicate your astonishing feat?
I will like to quote Robert Fritz who said ‘if you limit your choices to only what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want and all that is left is a compromise’.
To my soon to be colleagues, erase that thought of impossibility and replace it with possibility and do your best in working towards it. And I would say that whatever you want, tell God about it because with him, everything is possible.
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
ReplyDelete